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America’s War Against Immigrants and Veteran Immigrants
There are different reasons why individuals immigrate to the United States. Regardless of what their reasons are, there is much time and money involved in the process. Immigrants spend millions of dollars every year applying for entry permits/visas to the United States. Whether they intend to be tourists or permanent residents, the process of getting approved for a visa can be extremely tedious.
The expenses involved in applying for the visa are non-refundable, and at a cost that is equivalent to a month’s salary in most countries, it is a rather expensive pursuit. Immigrants applying for visas must have no criminal pass, sexually transmitted diseases, and their moral character needs to be classified as “good”. Approval of initial entry documents do not mean that an individual will receive approval for a second entry. The individual must go through the same process that initally resulted in the first entry visa should an extension or renewal be denied.
The costs of reapplying for entry documents will more than likely increase as prices for filing papers can drastically increase in short time spans. Yet, immigrants are treated as if they all received free visas and tickets to the US.
Immigration is big business. Though government officials continue to declare a war on illegal and legal immigrants (some of who are veterans), make no mistake in thinking that immigrants do not pay their way. The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services collect millions of dollars in fees annually and fees are not returned for denying an application.
Immigrants contribute to the country’s economy, and yes, there are issues with illegality in statuses of some immigrants. However, there is still the overwhelming majority of immigrants who are legal. It is extremely unfortunate that along the way, this “war against immigrants” have resulted in great distortion of information when it comes to the rights of legal immigrants and veteran immigrants.
Immigrant veterans have been caught in the crossfire aimed at keeping illegal immigrants out of the US. Currently, many immigrant veterans continue to be denied their stay in the US and citizenship even after serving in the US military, and in the more recent wars in Afghanistan and Iraq. After the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, President Bush signed an executive order permitting permanent residents on active duty to file for citizenship immediately instead of waiting the usual three years of military service.
What people need to remember is that many immigrants have been joining the military long before 9-11 without any promises of citizenship. After five years of being a continuous permanent resident in the US, anyone can apply to become a citizen of the US once they meet immigration criteria. However, not all immigrants apply for citizenship and many of those who do apply, intend to return to their home country eventually for one reason or another.
That being said, it is imperative that if the government offer citizenship to immigrants in return for serving in the military of their now adopted country of residence, it is important that the government follow through on such promise.
Immigrants who are US veterans should be allowed to live in peace rather than continuous fear of deportation. There are many Americans who will not serve their country under any circumstances, even in a cases such as 9-11 type acts. It is quite evident that Americans were not overwhelming military recruiting offices in droves after 9-11. Had that been the case, there would have been no need to entice more immigrants into serving in the new wars in Afghanistan and Iraq.
We need to remember our promises to the brave men and women who answered the call of duty (immigrant or citizens), irrespective of whether it was through enticement or otherwise. These men and women are not criminals, but rather heroes and heroines who were willing to give their lives for the United States of America. There are many immigrants that were killed on the battle front in both wars and received their citizenship posthumously. What about the immigrants who served and are still alive and expecting this promised benefit of citizenship in order to make a living after military service?
Unless an immigrant receives the red carpet treatment that is handed out to Cubans and humanitarian refugees who escape being scrutinized by the USCIS upon entering US shores, they have to pay thousands of US dollars for entry visas and legal documentations. They also must meet conditions of having no criminal pass, no sexually transmitted diseases, and possess good moral character before being given a visa of any type to enter the country.
Nonetheless, the aforementioned criteria are no guarantees for a visa, as the process can take multiple trips and years of going back and forth to US embassies in hopes of getting an entry permit / visa. Many Americans fail to comprehend the amount of money that immigrants spend in order to enter and remain temporarily and permanently in the United States. The amount is far less than what US residents pay to become residents and citizens in other countries.
For example, an individual from Jamaica who applies for a visa to the United States for one reason or another, must spend an exorbitant amount of money over the period of the application. With each trip to the embassy amounting to more than $13,000.00 Jamaican currency (about a month’s salary) in application fees, there are no guarantees of receiving a visa and before long, a single individual can spend a fortune over years of applying.
Immigrant veterans had to go through this process before being able to legally reside in the US. However, if they are promised a faster way to obtain their documents (military service), then they should not have to beg the government to honor that promise.
Though the immigration process is tedious, people go through it because they genuinely believe that they can make a better life for themselves and their families. We should not take that away from our fellow veterans because they are classified by “immigrant status”. The USCIS makes millions of dollars every year from expensive fees charged to immigrants who file their immigration documents legally.
Lawyers make millions representing immigrants who are legally residing in the United States, and some of those being represented are veterans who have served without questions. Just as many Americans emigrate to other countries every year permanently without being treated as pariahs, it is time the US treat immigrants and veteran immigrants with the same amount of respect given to ex-patriots who decide to permanently reside outside the US.
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Short URL: http://www.veteranstoday.com/?p=22904
Posted by Debrah McFarlane on Apr 7 2010, With 0 Reads, Filed under Veterans Affairs. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. Both comments and pings are currently closed.
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Ms. McFarlane is so wrong on so many significant points, I’m not sure where to begin.
1. There is NO WAR on LEGAL immigrants. McFarlane has offered no proof of any war just allegations.
2. There are more than a few “issues” with ILLEGAL aliens who are NOT immigrants.
There are an estimated 12 to 36 MILLION ILLEGAL aliens currently in the U.S. who, for whatever reason, have decided they have the right to jump to the head of the line of those who are true immigrants because they followed our laws.
The concomitant problems attached to their ILLEGALLY being here are too numerous to go into here. You can visit my web site at http://oneoldvet.com for more info on that.
3. By lumping the issues surrounding LEGAL immigration with the invasion of America by millions from the 3rd world does a real disservice to those LEGAL immigrants who have faithfully served our country and now seek citizenship here.
I believe those immigrants who have faithfully served our country in the U.S. military should be “fast-tracked” to citizenship.
At the same time. I’m not sure that the same laws that apply to ALL LEGAL immigrants seeking citizenship shouldn’t apply to them too.
In other words, if they break our laws they should face the same penalties up to and including deportation as would any other LEGAL immigrant seeking LEGAL residency or citizenship.
I served in both the Air Force & the Army including a tour in Viet Nam. I didn’t fight to see the “Rule of Law” abandoned, or our Constitution trampled upon, because the 3rd world see America as a life boat.
To understand where we’re head if the invasion of America by 3rd world ILLEGALS isn’t stemmed, visit this site and view the video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1pgz6ZCqhtg&feature=player_embedded
Though I approved the comment, it does not mean I agree with you. Making such statements as ” the invasion of America by the 3rd world” is ridiculous. If we are going to speak of invasion, let us first speak of the initial invasion of America by the first illegals who now believes that they own America. As far as I am concerned, every single group in America would be an invader because the Natives are the only ones with a history longer than any other. There are many of these as you put it, “3rd world invaders” who have joined and served in the military and continue to do so. You totally missed the perspectives in this article. In the end, everyone is entitled to their opinion. However, educate yourself about 3rd world countries before you go making statements such as “3rd world invaders of America and 3rd world see America as a life boat”. Get over yourself because I am sure just like you, these so-called 3rd world invaders have a right to be here. If you check most people’s history in America, you will see that they all came from somewhere else. Could we also classify them as invaders? Both legal and illegal immigrants have made great contributions to the US economy. If you want the first bit of proof, go to Florida where you will notice that it is these same “3rd world invaders of America” as you call them, who are taking care of sick, elderly, and retired US residents. They are the ones doing the work that everyone else turn their nose up at because of the lousy pay. Need I continue.
You make some valid points.In 1953 following my service in Korea my friend Edwardo Cortex and myself along with thousands of other military personal were given early releases to meet peace time active duty man-power requirements.
I returned to south Florida, and Edwardo was deported to Mexico as a non-citizen. I agree that any one who meets the citizenship requirements and serves honorably in our military should be given fast track access to citizenship.This was a long standing method of enlisting troops in the beginning of this nation.
We can not compare what is to what was, everything changes. when America was born a nation, laws came into being that were new and effected it’s citizens. there is no doubt through out the history of the world it has been the conquered serving the conquered. I enjoy the fruits of my citizenship and feel no remorse over the way this nation was born.I am not responsible for the actions of lief Erickson, ponce De Leon, Christopher Columbus, the Spanish Inquisition or any other crusade that led to 2010. I did not trade a string of pearls with some Indian tribes for a piece of the big dream. However many believe that these tribes were robbed and recompense should be paid. free trade is a price offered and the price accepted, the value of which can not be compared then to nor do I accept guilt over slavery. I was no more responsible for the taking of slaves than the decedents of slavery today are responsible for the fact that their ancestors were slaves. They are and rightfully so citizens.
My family were among the early settler of south Florida as was the family of my wife.I feel different about the influx of illegal and legal immigrants into this area compared to the influx of snow birds and transplants. Snow birds and transplants bring wealth and job opportunity to the area as do some of the legal immigrants. the income for the illegal and many of the legal immigrants is supplemented in no small part by state and federal entitlements which are borne upon the backs of the working citizens of America. Hopefully the day will come when those we support will in turn be able to do the same.
There may be closer to 20,000,000 million illegals in this country than the Governments current estimate of 13,000,000. If this is true, (either number is staggering) then in addition to adding 16,000 new IRS jobs to implement the Trojan Horse health bill, we must add that many more to process and administer the implementation of the blanket amnesty that is just around the corner.
Apparently you don’t know all of Edwardo’s story, as up until the 80′s, if you enlisted and served honorably, you were allowed to become a US Citizen.
Maybe there was something else hiding in his closet.
Maybe Ed was a figment of your imagination???
I served in both Nam and the Gulfwar in two different branches and saw and served with some people who were from another country. In that I have no problem with letting them become citizens. However, I dare anyone to say that my ancestors and others came without going through proper procedures to get in in the 20th century should not be discarded with the statement that they are doing the job other Americans do not want to do. To allow them to just come into this country, which is illegal, to do what they want for whatever reason is not proper. The rate that the un employment situation is, I believe that many naturalized Americans would jump at jobs, any job. You will find that of course you have young opinion, but there are many of us who feel like the ole vet does. Incidentally my nephew is a high ranking American hispanic police officer in Miami and he feels there are way too many hispanics that he would rather see go back to where they came from. As far as I know we still are a country of rules and regs and they should be followed.
Process of elimination, survival of the fittest and the stronger, faster, smarter has been the LAW OF THE LAND from the beginning of TIME!
By your logic, the Moores , Gauls, Barbarians of yore, etc., should be sad and return the lands that they conquered as well. PLEASE!
EXACTLY.
And the honorable serving service member does get extra help on their citizenship process.
I was in the Marines with three LEGAL IMMIGRANTS, and helped them all get their Citizenship Papers.
Until the 80′s, it used to be an automatic Citizenship. Then they changed the laws and gave them extra points.
Fight back against the wealthy corporate donors, unions, radical religious groups, ACLU, SPL, Council of Foreign Relations, US Chamber of Commerce, open border lobbyists, anti-sovereignty organization as La Raza and biased press the LA Times, New York Times.
Numbersusa is fighting for–ALL–American citizens and legal residents. WE CANNOT TRUST OUR GOVERNMENT AND THOSE WHO BUY THEIR LOYALTY. USE YOUR VOTE TO SPEAK UP. JOIN NUMBERSUSA million of members to fight the battle against another MASS AMNESTY. Whatever the other-side calls it, it is by any name AMNESTY. Together–UNITED–we can stop this travesty of our Immigration laws. We can win if we unite together. REMEMBER ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS THAT HAVE ALREADY VIOLATED THE LAW, WILL WITHOUT ANY DOUBT VOTE IN ANY ELECTION. MILLIONS MORE WILL COME IF WE DON’T HALT IT. THE CONSEQUENCES WILL BE TERRIBLE, TO AMERICAS FINANCES. http://www.numbersusa.com Read about corruption of our leaders at http://www.judicialwatch.org
Hey pall, we UNITED against the Health Care Bill, and that got us real far…
This Administration is going to ram Amnesty and a lot more crap down our throats as long as they are in power…
Let us be clear: NO FOREIGNERS SHOULD BE IN THE U.S. ARMED FORCES.
I repeat: NO NON-CITIZEN SHOULD BE GIVEN MILITARY WEAPONS AND ASKED TO KILL OTHER NON-CITIZENS (OR CITIZENS).
For those who don’t get it: ONLY STUPID PEOPLE WOULD GIVE GUNS TO OUTSIDERS TO ‘PROTECT’ THEM FROM OUTSIDERS.
Honestly that is one of the most pig headed things I have heard on here, and I her a lot of BS on this site.
Many, many hundreds of men and women from foreign countries have fought beside American Citizens from the beginning of this great nations birth. How dare you sit here and think that because someone is not a citizen, that they can not stand and fight, or heal the wounded.
There was a time when an immigrant could enlist in the US Military and be awarded citizenship. Now, they are only given more points towards their application.
Please watch these powerful videos that really tell you how immigrant veterans are being denied fairness and due process.
http://restorefairness.org/2009/09/warren-joseph-military-man-faces-deportation/
http://restorefairness.org/2009/09/anselm-ifill-army-man-ordered-deported/
Learn. Share. Act. http://www.restorefairness.org
“”Immigration is big business. Though government officials continue to declare a war on illegal and legal immigrants (some of who are veterans),”"
Let me say that there is not one illegal immigrant serving in the US Armed Forces.
How stupid can you be to even think such a thing!
Of course it cost money to apply for a Visa and Citizenship.
Who do you want to pay for it? Do you think that it’s an entitlement as well???
It cost money to pay for the people to process the paperwork, do the back ground investigations and other screening processes.
And do you want a bunch of immoral criminals with major health issues comming in the country and putting even more burden on the system?
And there is not a law that discriminates against criminals, that have served their time, comming into the country. That is CANADA!
The author of this article is clearly lacks knowlege of the visa process, the US department of state set visa fees based on what the country charges US citizens for the same type of visa. If a country does not charge a fee to US citzens for a particular visa, the USA does not charge a fee to there citzens for the same type of visa. The “filing fees” are paid to file a visa application, are set to pay for the processing of the visa application the cost to process a approvable application and the cost to process a unapprovalbe application are the same. Military personell are granted free filings for citzen ship if they file while on active duty, or within 6 months of service departure. The majority, of “service personell” that get denied is because they were courtmatialed or committed an agrivated felony such as assult, or drug trafficing, and honestly why would we want them to stay if they cannot obey the laws of our country.
Clearly Bob, you did not do your research and is lacking in knowledge of the visa process. I suggest that if you do work for DHS, you become up-to-date with the process before actually posting publicly about it. I am very aware of the immigration process as I had to pay my dues like many others did. Yes, the US Dept. of State sets visa fees BUT it is not based solely on what other countries charge American citizens. Case in point (cited in the article – Jamaica). Jamaica does not charge American citizens visa fees to enter the country, but Jamaicans have to pay $13,000 to $14,000 Jamaica dollars (US$150) each time they apply for a visa, even if they are denied. However, Americans do enjoy the luxury of coming and going without tests for sexuallly transmitted diseases, moral character checks, criminal checks, and let’s not forget visa applications and fees. Keep in mind that Jamaica is extremely safe for tourists, and receive people from all over the world yearly, not just the US. So it is definitely nice to not have that extra process if you are an American who is visiting. Yes, Jamaica may be an extremely trusting or incompetent nation for doing this, because I would levy the same fees on Americans that are charged to Jamaicans. Essentially, this is a one way money-making scenario for the US, not Jamaica. Yes, Jamaica does have a tourism sector but so does the United States (Florida, New York, Washington DC, and Los Angeles) and all tourists to the United States have to pay their fees until they become approved for a visa (be it the first try or the hundredth). So, what I am saying Bob, is that fees are essential for for approving applications, not for denying them when an individual meets all STDs, criminal, and moral charater check. Fees are essential in every economy but if one country extends a courtesy of “no fees” to citizens of another country, I believe such courtesy should be reciprocated.
I wish I had read this article last month, it would have made my job easier…