How should the United States handle illegal immigration?

[Cantricus]

We should grant citizenship to anyone who enters the Country, unless the person has a criminal past or commits a crime within a '2 Year Citizenship Trial Period'. Any crime committed within the '2YCTP' could be punished any variety of ways including, but not limited to: extension of the trial period, fine, imprisonment, or revoked citizenship. Within this two year period, the new citizen should have a job, and a residence. These statistics must be reported to a bureau periodically, or the potential citizen should face the risk of having a punishment of a fine or imprisonment; Repeat offenders could have their citizenship revoked. Prospective citizens should be enrolled in a newly formed education program designed specifically to assimilating soon to be citizens. Baring a satisfactory completion percentage of specialize testing, the foreigner will be granted full citizenship. Children of prospective citizens must be also enrolled in school in combination with completing a specialized curriculum which must be completed with satisfactory scores, or face punishment.

[Soldati Senza Confini]

We should grant citizenship to anyone who enters the Country, unless the person has a criminal past or commits a crime within a '2 Year Citizenship Trial Period'. Any crime committed within the '2YCTP' could be punished any variety of ways including, but not limited to: extension of the trial period, fine, imprisonment, or revoked citizenship. Within this two year period, the new citizen should have a job, and a residence. These statistics must be reported to a bureau periodically, or the potential citizen should face the risk of having a punishment of a fine or imprisonment; Repeat offenders could have their citizenship revoked. Prospective citizens should be enrolled in a newly formed education program designed specifically to assimilating soon to be citizens. Baring a satisfactory completion percentage of specialize testing, the foreigner will be granted full citizenship. Children of prospective citizens must be also enrolled in school in combination with completing a specialized curriculum which must be completed with satisfactory scores, or face punishment.

If the children come with their parents they should be enrolled in school and attend at least 90% of the time as well.

[Enadail]

We should grant citizenship to anyone who enters the Country, unless the person has a criminal past or commits a crime within a '2 Year Citizenship Trial Period'. Any crime committed within the '2YCTP' could be punished any variety of ways including, but not limited to: extension of the trial period, fine, imprisonment, or revoked citizenship. Within this two year period, the new citizen should have a job, and a residence. These statistics must be reported to a bureau periodically, or the potential citizen should face the risk of having a punishment of a fine or imprisonment; Repeat offenders could have their citizenship revoked. Prospective citizens should be enrolled in a newly formed education program designed specifically to assimilating soon to be citizens. Baring a satisfactory completion percentage of specialize testing, the foreigner will be granted full citizenship. Children of prospective citizens must be also enrolled in school in combination with completing a specialized curriculum which must be completed with satisfactory scores, or face punishment.

I thought it was interesting until I got to "punish children for doing poorly in school". Based on the age of the kid, I fail to see why specialized curriculum is required. In fact, why do incoming residents need to assimilate and get special training when so many natural born citizens don't even know civics or about the US?

[Soldati Senza Confini]

We should grant citizenship to anyone who enters the Country, unless the person has a criminal past or commits a crime within a '2 Year Citizenship Trial Period'. Any crime committed within the '2YCTP' could be punished any variety of ways including, but not limited to: extension of the trial period, fine, imprisonment, or revoked citizenship. Within this two year period, the new citizen should have a job, and a residence. These statistics must be reported to a bureau periodically, or the potential citizen should face the risk of having a punishment of a fine or imprisonment; Repeat offenders could have their citizenship revoked. Prospective citizens should be enrolled in a newly formed education program designed specifically to assimilating soon to be citizens. Baring a satisfactory completion percentage of specialize testing, the foreigner will be granted full citizenship. Children of prospective citizens must be also enrolled in school in combination with completing a specialized curriculum which must be completed with satisfactory scores, or face punishment.

I thought it was interesting until I got to "punish children for doing poorly in school". Based on the age of the kid, I fail to see why specialized curriculum is required. In fact, why do incoming residents need to assimilate and get special training when so many natural born citizens don't even know civics or about the US?

Make education for them tougher as well I would say.

[Enadail]

I thought it was interesting until I got to "punish children for doing poorly in school". Based on the age of the kid, I fail to see why specialized curriculum is required. In fact, why do incoming residents need to assimilate and get special training when so many natural born citizens don't even know civics or about the US?

Make education for them tougher as well I would say.

I would think that making civics a part of the curriculum should be for everyone, and that immigrant kids shouldn't need "special" education, rather the same everyone else gets.

And frankly, kids don't need lessons in integration. Childhood is a struggle of integration, trying to make friends, etc. Few to no children purposefully try to hold themselves apart from the crowd, and even as adults, we get non-integrating communities when people are treated as outsiders from the start. I think the idea that immigrants need special lessons is silly. What they need is to be accepted and not treated as unique cases, and they'll adapt to their localities.

[Czechanada]

Only allow legal immigrants to buy anything other than marmalade for their toast. No illegal immigrant will want to live in a country forced to eat marmalade.

[Divair]

Make education for them tougher as well I would say.

I would think that making civics a part of the curriculum should be for everyone, and that immigrant kids shouldn't need "special" education, rather the same everyone else gets.

And frankly, kids don't need lessons in integration. Childhood is a struggle of integration, trying to make friends, etc. Few to no children purposefully try to hold themselves apart from the crowd, and even as adults, we get non-integrating communities when people are treated as outsiders from the start. I think the idea that immigrants need special lessons is silly. What they need is to be accepted and not treated as unique cases, and they'll adapt to their localities.

And sometimes help. Israel, for example, has a very comprehensive system in place to help new immigrants learn Hebrew.

[Knask]

I think the US should open its borders and let everybody in. It would be a very interesting experiment

[Divair]

I think the US should open its borders and let everybody in. It would be a very interesting experiment

How about no.

[Knask]

I think the US should open its borders and let everybody in. It would be a very interesting experiment

How about no.

Because then we'll never know! So how about yes

[Bullyland]

Amnesty to the ones with no criminal records, deport the ones with criminal records, drastically increase the size of the border patrol, and crack down on business's that knowingly hire illegal immigrants so illegal immigration doesn't become that big of a problem again. Those that are granted amnesty should learn English and take to the back of line in applying for citizenship. Those who came legally should get to apply first.

[Franklin Delano Bluth]

I think the US should open its borders and let everybody in. It would be a very interesting experiment

How about no.

Why?

Borders are a human rights violation.

[Enadail]

Amnesty to the ones with no criminal records, deport the ones with criminal records, drastically increase the size of the border patrol, and crack down on business's that knowingly hire illegal immigrants so illegal immigration doesn't become that big of a problem again. Those that are granted amnesty should learn English and take to the back of line in applying for citizenship. Those who came legally should get to apply first.

While I agree with this as a whole (except maybe the forced to learn English part, though that's necessary for citizenship), what line should we get to the back of? This is a rhetoric I've never understood. Immigration doesn't have a big queue everyone joins... once you've held a Greencard for 5 years, you can apply for citizenship. There's no line to process, its just when you're eligible and get processed.

[Mikland]

Let them all come in, green card or not. It is against human rights to prevent them from crossing over illegally.

I'm all for immigration reform and what not, but that's just a silly statement. How in the world is it against human rights for a nation to establish laws about immigration?

Because passing laws on immigration is something only an old conservative would do?

[Enadail]

I'm all for immigration reform and what not, but that's just a silly statement. How in the world is it against human rights for a nation to establish laws about immigration?

Because passing laws on immigration is something only an old conservative would do?

I would pass laws on immigration as well, and I'm far from old or conservative. I fail to see why only conservatives would want to control immigration?

[Cantricus]

We should grant citizenship to anyone who enters the Country, unless the person has a criminal past or commits a crime within a '2 Year Citizenship Trial Period'. Any crime committed within the '2YCTP' could be punished any variety of ways including, but not limited to: extension of the trial period, fine, imprisonment, or revoked citizenship. Within this two year period, the new citizen should have a job, and a residence. These statistics must be reported to a bureau periodically, or the potential citizen should face the risk of having a punishment of a fine or imprisonment; Repeat offenders could have their citizenship revoked. Prospective citizens should be enrolled in a newly formed education program designed specifically to assimilating soon to be citizens. Baring a satisfactory completion percentage of specialize testing, the foreigner will be granted full citizenship. Children of prospective citizens must be also enrolled in school in combination with completing a specialized curriculum which must be completed with satisfactory scores, or face punishment.

I thought it was interesting until I got to "punish children for doing poorly in school". Based on the age of the kid, I fail to see why specialized curriculum is required. In fact, why do incoming residents need to assimilate and get special training when so many natural born citizens don't even know civics or about the US?

At the end I was slightly lazy, allow me to elaborate. Punishment for children would be incremental based on performance and would vary greatly based on age and intelligence. Here are a few age scenarios:

4YO&Under
Any child under this criteria, regardless of parental accompaniment should be introduced to education as any other citizen's child. Children at these ages should do as well as any other child.

7YO
Any child under this criteria, regardless of parental accompaniment should be introduced to education as any other citizen's child, baring any language deficiencies. If there are any language complications, then the child must attend an adjacent course designed for them to catch up. If a student fails this, a summer course should be taken. Repeat until assimilated.

11YO
Any child under this criteria, regardless of parental accompaniment should be introduced to education as any other citizen's child if the child can test as well as the average natural born citizen. If there are any language deficiencies, but the child tests as well as the average natural born citizen, then the child should be placed in a special program[An extensive(either before or after) school sessions tailored for the situation] that will help them in this area, in conjunction to the normal curriculum.

If a child does not test as well as a natural born citizen and has language deficiencies, then the child will be placed in a special program[An extensive school tailored for the situation] that will help them in catching up to other students. When a student catches up to the others, parents and school advisors can decide to place the child into the fray with all other students.

16YO(With Parent)
Any child under this criteria, regardless of parental accompaniment should be introduced to education as any other citizen's child if the child can test as well as the average natural born citizen. If there are any language deficiencies, but the child tests as well as the average natural born citizen, then the child should be placed in a special program[An extensive(either before, after or both) school sessions tailored for the situation] that will help them in this area, in conjunction to the normal curriculum.

If a child does not test as well as a natural born citizen and has language deficiencies, then the child will be placed in a special program[An extensive school tailored for the situation] that will help them in catching up to other students. When a student catches up to the others, parents and school advisors can decide to place the child into the fray with all other students.

If a child cannot meet these standards, then the child should be introduced to a 2 year technical school which will prepare them in a field which will allow them to enter a field of work based on skills they choose to acquire.

If a child performs less than satisfactory at this curriculum, then they may be deported.
(Each child will be given ample opportunities to become a great individual. By the age of 18, if a child shows an inability to be a productive member of this country, then deportation will be implemented)

At this point if a person is deported, they may still be eligible for citizenship later under certain circumstances.

Also, all of this is based on the belief that we need massive education reform. 'No child left behind' implemented by W was a nice attempt, but I believe more should be done. We currently have a K-12 system and I believe we should compress the amount of knowledge being fed to children to expand the amount of information that is currently being taught. K-12 should actually be K-14 started a year earlier. I agree with you that some here do not know enough about the US and an extended curriculum along with more testing should solve this. The two extra years I added should cover the first two years of college level learning. More should be taught at a younger age so when a child finishes this extended curriculum, they will be able to go forth and collectively solve the problems presented to the world.

[Soldati Senza Confini]

A K-14 plan already exists, it's called community college.

A K-12 plan is good, however, we at Latin America have a K-11 plan (K - 9th and 2 years of High School) and we're still enormously more advantaged in studies than the US (really, when I came here I got only As in high school, as I slacked off I began to be a B student).

The problem is not the education plan, it is how the curriculum is being taught, and the US Education system is in no way shaped in such a way that can provide students a good education.

[Enadail]

I don't even think its what's being taught, its the American culture. Here, the general atmosphere is that even without an education, you can be very successful. Be good at sports or use your looks and you can make it whether you have an education or not. We focus so much on entertainment, children are not pushed to be better. Other nations have a much stronger focus on education, that even if you're not going to use it, a certain amount is necessary to succeed in general and for a fall back. Though this is off topic a bit.

In general, I don't see a need for a specialized program other than to allow kids to catch up to their peers if they are lacking in language/cultural skills.

And I've never understood this "unproductive member of society" argument. First, immigrants tend to be much harder workers then natives; they come from hardships or grow up with stories of it and feel a much greater urgency to not fail. Second, we have a ton of unproductive members of society here in the US that we're doing nothing about, why not get rid of them and let more immigrants in?

[Soldati Senza Confini]

I don't even think its what's being taught, its the American culture. Here, the general atmosphere is that even without an education, you can be very successful. Be good at sports or use your looks and you can make it whether you have an education or not. We focus so much on entertainment, children are not pushed to be better. Other nations have a much stronger focus on education, that even if you're not going to use it, a certain amount is necessary to succeed in general and for a fall back. Though this is off topic a bit.

In general, I don't see a need for a specialized program other than to allow kids to catch up to their peers if they are lacking in language/cultural skills.

And I've never understood this "unproductive member of society" argument. First, immigrants tend to be much harder workers then natives; they come from hardships or grow up with stories of it and feel a much greater urgency to not fail. Second, we have a ton of unproductive members of society here in the US that we're doing nothing about, why not get rid of them and let more immigrants in?

The education part is certainly American culture, but also education standards are poor in the country. In truth, one should expect a great education whether they are to be scientists or not, an education is important in my opinion (then again I am Latin American and my dad is a business owner, so I have more pressure to be successful).

"Unproductive member of society" means that they won't have any criminal records (other than say minor misdemeanors, cleared out and explained), no dealing with drugs and particularly no crimes against other people such as assault or battery.

Unproductive means that the person who is applying to stay here should bear the same standard as a Citizen applying for citizenship first and foremost when it comes to moral rectitude.

[Cantricus]

A K-14 plan already exists, it's called community college.

A K-12 plan is good, however, we at Latin America have a K-11 plan (K - 9th and 2 years of High School) and we're still enormously more advantaged in studies than the US (really, when I came here I got only As in high school, as I slacked off I began to be a B student).

The problem is not the education plan, it is how the curriculum is being taught, and the US Education system is in no way shaped in such a way that can provide students a good education.

I would like to have community college free for all, which a lot of High Schools do offer Dual Enrollment Courses where a student can get College credits for free, but I believe the level of education attained within the first two years of college should be standard for every child. Immigrant or Not. Education should be 'upgraded' greatly, but in order to get the type of change I am implying, the teachers would have to be greatly upgraded as well. If Our government offered a tax incentive for all current and future teachers who pursuit Masters degrees, this would be solved.

[Enadail]

"Unproductive member of society" means that they won't have any criminal records (other than say minor misdemeanors, cleared out and explained), no dealing with drugs and particularly no crimes against other people such as assault or battery.

Unproductive means that the person who is applying to stay here should bear the same standard as a Citizen applying for citizenship first and foremost when it comes to moral rectitude.

Usually when people talk about unproductive members of society, they mean people who don't work by choice, or are a larger drain on society than gain. There are a number of foreign groups who are stereotyped in the US as being lazy, or filling jobs that "real Americans" could fill, and thus are not a gain, and should not be let in. That's what I was referencing.

[Soldati Senza Confini]

"Unproductive member of society" means that they won't have any criminal records (other than say minor misdemeanors, cleared out and explained), no dealing with drugs and particularly no crimes against other people such as assault or battery.

Unproductive means that the person who is applying to stay here should bear the same standard as a Citizen applying for citizenship first and foremost when it comes to moral rectitude.

Usually when people talk about unproductive members of society, they mean people who don't work by choice, or are a larger drain on society than gain. There are a number of foreign groups who are stereotyped in the US as being lazy, or filling jobs that "real Americans" could fill, and thus are not a gain, and should not be let in. That's what I was referencing.

I see.

That makes no sense though, why would someone who is here illegally and trying to get his papers fixed in a workaround provided by the government such as immigration reform be held to a higher standard than a permanent resident applying for citizenship? It makes it sound like we're full of shit.

Also what about students who actually cannot work because they are in college full time (such as myself and I was/am a PR)? There are many undocumented immigrants who are going to college. They struggle more, but they try to be very successful. I do know a friend who is that way.

[Enadail]

Usually when people talk about unproductive members of society, they mean people who don't work by choice, or are a larger drain on society than gain. There are a number of foreign groups who are stereotyped in the US as being lazy, or filling jobs that "real Americans" could fill, and thus are not a gain, and should not be let in. That's what I was referencing.

I see.

That makes no sense though, why would someone who is here illegally and trying to get his papers fixed in a workaround provided by the government such as immigration reform be held to a higher standard than a permanent resident applying for citizenship? It makes it sound like we're full of shit.

Also what about students who actually cannot work because they are in college full time (such as myself and I was/am a PR)? There are many undocumented immigrants who are going to college. They struggle more, but they try to be very successful. I do know a friend who is that way.

Like I said, its a concept I don't understand. Its a standard higher then is applied to citizens in general, and a bullshit one as far as I'm concerned. And as I mentioned, I tend to see immigrants working harder BECAUSE they've been in situations that are worse.

[Perratopia]

Enforce the law and deport them. It is a shame that the U.S. government's incompetence has resulted in illegal immigration becoming such a huge problem. Illegal immigrants are one of the reasons that hard working Americans and legal immigrants are having trouble finding work. Greedy companies would rather hire illegals that would work for 2 dollars an hour (way below minimum wage) and zero benefits. Americans and legal immigrants would gladly work those jobs for at least minimum wage. ICE recently raided a business near where I live and they lost all of their janitors. Now those positions are filled by hard working Americans that gladly took those jobs for at least minimum wage.

[Enadail]

Enforce the law and deport them. It is a shame that the U.S. government's incompetence has resulted in illegal immigration becoming such a huge problem. Illegal immigrants are one of the reasons that hard working Americans and legal immigrants are having trouble finding work.

Time and time again, its been shown that this isn't true. When undocumented far workers left Georgia and Arizona, food went rotting in the fields, even when compensation was raised to crazy levels. Americans just don't want to do the hard manual labor immigrants are willing to do.

Greedy companies would rather hire illegals that would work for 2 dollars an hour (way below minimum wage) and zero benefits.

This is another very big misnomer. Yes, day laborers will often get paid under the table for low amounts, but for example, farm workers earn an average of $7 hour, not including end of year bonuses based on crop. Its not good pay for sure, but its pretty much at minimum wage in most states.

Americans and legal immigrants would gladly work those jobs for at least minimum wage. ICE recently raided a business near where I live and they lost all of their janitors. Now those positions are filled by hard working Americans that gladly took those jobs for at least minimum wage.

This is only true in jobs like you're describing, working in doors in relatively comfortable conditions.

Plus, where is the money for all this deportation coming from, and what benefit are we getting at that cost?