Immigration and YOU

Anyone that keeps up with political goings-on knows that ONE of the MANY issues being hammered by the Republicans is the current immigration situation.

I’ve done some reading on the steps that are required to enter the U.S., but I actually find it rather complicated. Asylum seekers, refugees, migrants … all these terms to describe folks that simply want to come to the U.S. to live.

I realize there are LAWS related to immigration, but it seems many are bending them a bit to satisfy their own personal perspective (prejudice) of those who are trying to enter this country.

In any event, the point of my post is not so much what’s happening now as it is a personal question. (Note the title of my post.)

Since America was pretty much settled by folks from other countries — which essentially makes us ALL immigrants (outside of Native Americans) — I thought it would be interesting to share a little of our backgrounds.

I was adopted as a baby so I always considered my “heritage” to be that of my adoptive parents (French/Dutch). However, after both of them passed, I discovered I was actually half-Mexican! Via Ancestry.com, I learned my grandmother was one of those “immigrants” that came into this country from Mexico. Records are scarce related to my grandfather, but it appears he was also a Mexican immigrant. I’m also half-German, but unfortunately I have little background information on my father since he was not born here and returned to Germany after I was born. In any event, I would say I’m a typical “American.”

So how about you? What is your background? Are you a (so-called) “pureblood” or do you have a mixed lineage?

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P.S. Readers are welcome to ADD your thoughts related to the current border situation, but please don’t limit your comment to just that. Thanks. 😊

P.P.S. Also, in case you’re interested, here is a pretty thorough discussion related to immigration and asylum.

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Image by John Hain from Pixabay

Missing the Point

I think I need to ask … because apparently I’m missing the point.

The Republicans are adamant about curtailing immigration because of “the strain” it puts on “our system.” I assume this means that the more immigrants we allow into this country, the more government money will be spent on their behalf (at least initially) … which takes away from the pet projects favored by the Republicans. Yes?

YET! These same Republicans believe it is O.K. for thousands of women to be denied abortions which will, over the years, undoubtedly increase the population and put (long-term) strain on innumerable agencies within our governmental system. Yes?

Those of you who are “in the know” … will you please explain the reasoning behind this thinking?

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Image by Peggy und Marco Lachmann-Anke from Pixabay

Could/Would You Do This?

I bet I know one person that you’d NEVER, EVER find doing what these folks are doing.

Photograph: David Levene/The Guardian

As hundreds of fires burn across California forming a heavy cloud of smoke, these farm workers trudge on keeping the essential agriculture industry alive.

Of course they have few other options since there is no paid time off for sick days … and most of them NEED that $5.50 an hour (and $1.60 per box filled) in order to survive in a state like California with an outrageously high cost of living.

So they continue to toil under record-high temperatures and suffocating smoke — many without any protection from the terrible air quality. Even though state regulations require companies to provide masks for workers when the air quality reaches a certain threshold of “very bad,” it doesn’t always happen.

Few appreciate these workers. In fact, there are those in our society who look down on them. They feel no compassion and often do their best to ignore they even exist. Instead, they sit in their air-conditioned mansions, caress their bank and stock statements, dine on luxurious meals (that often include foods provided by these people) … and support a president that puts the children of these immigrant workers in cages.

I urge you to read this article about the “impossible choice” these workers must face during this catastrophic event taking place in California.

Are You Pro-Life?

Many of you are familiar with Scottie’s Toy Box and know that most of his posts primarily consist of links to various news articles and/or other relevant topics of the day, with a daily sample of political cartoons. However, in his “comments” section. he regularly shares his own thoughts in response to a visitor’s remarks.

Today, I felt what he wrote was quite powerful and encouraged him to turn his comment into a regular post. Regrettably, he declined.

Scottie suffers from intense arthritic pain in his fingers. He notes that some days are better than others … and today happened to be one of the bad ones … so I let him off the hook. However, I felt his remarks were simply too good not to share and decided to copy them here:

How can you rage for the protection of a zygote and call your self pro-life, then be for the death penalty, caging kids at the border, taking away food programs for kids and families, taking away health care for kids and families, taking away education opportunities for kids and families, and refusing to place children in acceptable homes with people who love them if those people do not share your religious views. No way that is pro-life.

In my opinion, he nails it!

Too many “pro-lifers” wave banners and signs and adamantly profess their beliefs related to abortion, yet seem to forget that “life” continues on even after birth.

Along with Scottie, I ask … how can people ignore the needs of children who have been placed in cages simply because their parents happen to be brown? How can they support a president who takes away basic healthcare and food programs in order to build funds for his “wall?” How can they endorse laws that deny children a home simply because the parents are not “Christian?” And the list goes on.

Are we not all human? Why does skin color or religious belief or political leanings play a role in caring for others … particularly children?

We need to stop worrying about the “unborn” and start paying more attention to living children — especially those who are being mistreated and/or being denied even the basic needs of life.

In other words, we need to truly become “pro-life.”

Immigration and Citizenship

This post contains information I’ve wanted to share for quite some time. Some of you may be aware of what I’ve presented here, but if not, it may come as a surprise.

Becoming a U.S. Citizen is not an easy process. Nor is it cheap. Little wonder that many of the people coming from poverty-stricken countries do not rush to the nearest office and apply.

The current filing fee for Form N-400, the Application for Naturalization costs $725 (updated-2019). This includes the $640 citizenship application fees and the $85 background check cost.

That’s a lot of money. And this cost will only get more expensive as U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) raises fees in the future.

Fortunately (?), the USCIS has recognized that not everyone can afford to pay these fees so they have established a fee waiver process. However, the requirements are burdensome in that the applicant must provide documentation of their “inability to pay.” For those who are not English-speaking, the process cannot help but be overwhelming.

Moreover, if the individual has immigration violations or arrests, they must hire a lawyer (more $$$) to assist them. (Based on the current climate, there are undoubtedly some who would fall into this category.)

Some immigrants go around the naturalization process and apply for a “Green Card,” which currently costs $540 (also not cheap) and allows them to be “lawful permanent residents.” However, several eligibility requirements must be met before even the Green Card can be issued so the process can get complicated. Further, these cards must be renewed (at an invariably higher amount)  every 10 years if the individual wishes to remain in the U.S.

There is another path to citizenship that may be used. In fact, if the current administration wasn’t so bound and determined to STOP immigration, many individuals from drug-infested Central American countries would most certainly qualify.

It’s called Asylum Status and is available to anyone in the United States who has “suffered persecution in his or her home country or who has a well-founded fear of persecution if he or she were to return to that country.” While there are a couple of qualifications that must be considered –i.e., “the persecution must be done by the government, or by a group that the government is unwilling or unable to control” — from all that I’ve heard and read about the drug cartels, it seems the latter would certainly be relevant.

It’s just my opinion, but considering the mess that exists at our southern borders, wouldn’t it make sense to temporarily loosen some of the requirements and allow these people to follow the path to citizenship? Stop punishing them simply because they’re seeking a better life … and for some, escaping death.

Unfortunately, as most of us know, it’s not about making sense …

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Image by Gerd Altmann from Pixabay