Do you find it tedious and irritating that our government goes round and round over immigration and DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals) and what to do with the “dreamers“? I do. But it’s not rocket science here. Follow the laws.

Those whose parents came into the United States illegally and produced them after arrival are citizens and have the full rights as such. Their parents, however, are still illegals and need to be given a choice. There should be a reasonable and sensible path to citizenship for them, one that is not too draconian, but at the same time one that provides them with the essentials for being an American citizen – the ability to speak and understand English, and the ability to demonstrate knowledge of the essentials of American history and how our government works. If they do not agree to these terms then their behinds should be shipped back to where they came from. They would have to decide whether to take along any dependent children or have them placed in foster care here in the U.S.

How does one become a U.S. citizen? Do we let everyone in who wants to come? No! One becomes a citizen by either being born here or via naturalization. The latter is “the manner in which a person not born in the United States voluntarily becomes a U.S. citizen. The process begins by filling out Form N-400. There are time-honored requirements that make one eligible for naturalization. What are they? You must have resided here for a certain period of time and “you must be able to read, write, and speak basic English. You must also have a basic knowledge of U.S. history and government (also known as ‘civics’)”. You must also be of “Good Moral Character”, and have an “Attachment to the Constitution”. You must “give up all prior allegiance to any other nation or sovereignty”.

Immigrants should not enter with the demand that their needs be met. This is the land of opportunity, the land of the free, not the land of the free stuff. Those who are physically able must understand that they are expected to work to make a living for themselves and their family.

Our Statue of Liberty on Ellis Island has stood watch for 132 years now, and that site served as the entry point for thousands of people from foreign lands who sought a better life here. Besides being free from certain contagious diseases, they have always had to demonstrate basic knowledge of America by passing a test concerning material listed above.

Can people who plan to harm us lie and still get in? Of course they can. But anyone who later displays the intent to unconstitutionally change our laws and demand a different system should be immediately deported.

Do we need the southern wall? Yes, we do. It is sad that such a wall is required to help keep illegals out. But, gangs carry packages of drugs across the border every day, drugs that destroy the lives of Americans. Mexico has a huge wall at their border with Guatemala, patrolled by armed guards. The pope has a 200-foot wall around Vatican City (He deplores our plans for a wall and our vetting of refugees, but how many of those fleeing from Muslim lands has he let into Vatican City? none)

The U.S. is a nation of compassion. But there must also be wisdom. “The fear of the Lord is to hate evil”. (Proverbs 8:13) There is plenty of evil within our own borders (more on that in the next blog), but we must do what we can to screen out evil from outside.

Blessings,

Dr. J