Originally posted by: borealiss
Originally posted by: dabuddha
Originally posted by: GroundZero
Originally posted by: Skoorb
The problem with US immigration is twofold: a) It's very difficult for the average person to immigrate to the US legally. Based on comments on this board and other threads it's MUCH harder than the average American is led to believe. and b) The laws are just not enforced.
That is why the US has a ton of illegal immigrants all over the freaking place. If everything was enforced accurately they could actually ease up on point a so that legitimate people and positive contributors to the nation have less hoops to go through. In an attempt to keep illegals out the US has made legal immigration difficult, but since they aren't overly willing to enforce immigration you end up with plenty of illegals and then frustrated individuals trying to do it legally.
and knowing that you and yours are here as LEGAL immigrants is also proof that if you do take the time and make the effort to come here legally, for work or to become citizens, you most likely will not "sponge" off of the system as so many illegals do.
i was most upset at the fact that these people came here legally to start with, and then decided it was, for whatever reason, easier to just ignore the due proccess of becoming a citizen.
after being here for 15 years his whole family could have been naturalized citizens by now.
Wrong. Try to get your information straight at least.
Wrong. Naturalization is not a hard process, but does take some time. Most of my family has immigrated from taiwan to the US with little to no problems, but the paperwork is a pain. but 15 years is _plenty_ of time, considering those of my family that have gotten citizenship have done it in less than 6 years for about 5 people. they were also able to obtain greencards for their time in the US until they were here the minimum amount of time required for citizenship. then they applied. they have been paying taxes for the facilities and benefits they now reap as US citizens. your friend has not done any of this and neither has his parents. if your friend does get to stay in the US, it basically voids all the hoops and paperwork and all the work my family had to go through to become residents of this country legally. sorry, but i don't really feel any pity for your friend.
if he really wants to stay in the US, have him contact a recruiter or talk to someone in the military about his situation and what he can do. serving his country in the military services like that would, imo, entitle him to the rights that come with citizenship. otherwise he and the rest of his family need to be deported.