[97BladeRider]

[TheIglu]

Oh great, now everyone who reads this will know that all immigrants are lazy and undeserving of a better life in the US.

[richw]

Why didn't you just walk from Ireland ?

[Degsy]

Originally posted by TheIglu
Oh great, now everyone who reads this will know that all immigrants are lazy and undeserving of a better life in the US.

Admittedly, OHS have made things much better in the last two years. They even have an online area where you can go to get an up-to-the-minute update on your application.

The fact that it is so hard to do it right pisses me off even more about the illegal ones who come here and just sneak in and stay.

Also, when I got my green card (permanent residency) through marriage to Beth, the filing fees to the government were over $1000 (just to have them look at the application) and the lawyers fee was $2500.

derek

[odduc]

Reading Derek's story is the number 1 reason why I am so angered by the government unwillingness to do anything about the illegal immigration issue. Many, many people have come here and become citizens the legal way. Why should those who sneak in be allowed to stay ? Why should we give in to these people just because they scream the loudest and the lawmakers are too afraid to say, "no" ?
While I agree that we need to go after employers who hire illegals, we also need to send a clear message to anyone wishing to become a citizen. They need to understand that they must follow the rules and go about their path to citizenship just like everyone else before them.

[ChR1s]

Originally posted by Degsy
Or, the government could stop making LEGAL immigrants jump through hoops and endlessly-changing red tape in order to simply renew an expiring h1 visa.

One story, two sides. I have seen both sides Chris, have you?

Here's a brief rundown of how I (and every other H1/B immigrant) had to renew my visa every 3 years.

FISH ON!

If it weren't for U.S. Republicans, that visa shit would've been killed a long time ago. The purported intent of the INITIAL H1 bill(s) was to allow limited entry, for a limited time, with the policy having a finite term. That policy has since been tweaked/furthered by those subject to influence from those managing the business-end of things. It's not about what is "right" for our citizens, that's for damn sure.

[Degsy]

Originally posted by ChR1s
FISH ON!

If it weren't for U.S. Republicans, that visa shit would've been killed a long time ago. The purported intent of the INITIAL H1 bill(s) was to allow limited entry, for a limited time, with the policy having a finite term. That policy has since been tweaked/furthered by those subject to influence from those managing the business-end of things. It's not about what is "right" for our citizens, that's for damn sure.

No fishing here

I don't know about the original intent. I originally came here on an L1 (specialist knowledge) visa. My clients were the Pentagon, DIA, CIA and NSA and NASA Goddard. I had clearance to enter some fairly sensitive areas and yet I had a real problem getting a transfer to an H1/B visa. the reason? I had no degree certificate to show them. A four-year apprenticeship at IBM and an LCG in Electronics Servicing with a specialization in Laser technology was not as good as a psych degree from an online college. Government red tape at it's finest.
I finally got my H1/B and renewed it after 3 years. You can only renew once for a total of 6 years. I believe that was how it has been from the start but I may be wrong, I'm not an immigration historian.

My point being, the people that the USA would benefit from the most as far as immigration is concerned are being put off by the beaurocracy and cost of the immigration system. The illegals are walking in and dissappearing into the ether.

Desirables should be admitted on a case-by-case system and the illiterates trying to escape from poverty should be allowed in on a strict quota system, using a waiting list per country or a lottery system. If you're caught here illegally (including by a state trooper), you should be banned for 10 years from applying to legally enter the USA. Oh right, that's what already happens.

I have to carry my green card at all times and be ready to OFFER it to a law enforcement official ANY TIME I am in contact with one, without them asking for it.

derek

P.S I'm trying to keep away from a 'republicans versus democrats' debate here.

[odduc]

This is not a democrat vs. republican issue. It is about the LAW ! It is about how most law enforcement officials are being told that they cannot enforce the laws that are already on the books. It's about a few weak, inept, bumbling carrer politicians allowing this illegal immigration issue to fester into the giant cancer that it has become. My fear is that it may already be too late to undo the damage done by the years of ignoring the issue. I mean, how are we supposed to round up 12 million illegals already living among us ? I know that they should all be deported, but how can that really be done ? The illegals are already breaking our laws just by being here without going through the proper channels. So, why should we expect they will follow the laws if they're granted amnesty ? Hello G.W., wake the fuck up you moron !!!!!

[odduc]

"In the first place, we should insist that if the immigrant who comes here in good faith becomes an American and assimilates himself to us, he shall be treated on an exact equality with everyone else, for it is an outrage to discriminate against any such man because of creed, or birthplace, or origin. But this is predicated upon the person's becoming in every facet an American, and nothing but an American...There can be no divided allegiance here. Any man who says he is an American, but something else also, isn't an American at all. We have room for but one flag, the American flag... We have room for but one language here, and that is the English language ... and we have room for but one sole loyalty and that is a loyalty to the American people."

Theodore e Roosevelt 1907

[Billy]

If we didn't have illegals, who would do all the low paying jobs?