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Originally Posted by psili
I'm just playing devil's advocate here, but why should "legal residency and work permits" be easier to acquire? Does anyone "deserve" to be granted citizenship to a country?
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It's not about making it easier. It's more like making its "possible".
There are basically 3 stages to immigration:
1. Temporary status.
Work visa falls under here. Anyone who is offered a job should be able to get this, given the worker will be paid minimum wage or more, plus a fee.
First they need to create this path for non-skilled workers, as it doesn't exist yet.
Now people are saying, this should be offered only if illegals leave USA first and then come back legally with this. In my personal opinion that's not gonna happen. This option should be available for illegal immigrants who have been in the US since before Bush announced his plans on this. Without them having to leave the country.
2. Permanent residency. (i.e. Green Card)
Every immigrant with no criminal record etc.. and who has been working for certain number of years, should be able to get this. Additional criterias can apply, as they're currently discussing this too. Like english requirement etc...
This path already exists for employment based immigrants, but it is too complicated and lengthy process, in my personal opinion. It requires way too much effort and money to consider viable for a non-skilled worker case. For a skilled worker (college graduate professional), it might be worth it to deal with, but not for a minimum wage worker. That's why this process also needs some adjustments made.
3. Citizenship.
After being a good resident for 5 years, without leaving the US for a long time, you qualify for this. Again you need to be clean, and also need to pass some tests about USA (history, politics etc...)
This option currently exists for Green Card holders. No need to make changes here.
At this point a person will have spent 7 to 10 years in the USA, which in my opinion definitely justifies their right to become a citizen.