A constructive solution to the illegal immigration problem would be beneficial to our country. The current approach is divisive, violent, and economically damaging.
Why not try a temporary amnesty program enabling non-criminal immigrants living in the U.S. illegally to become naturalized citizens? Establish a short-term time window during which people could apply for conditional naturalization. Applicants must meet existing naturalization criteria — learning to read, write, and speak English, pass a civics test, and remain crime free; and would be ineligible for federal aid of any sort until achieving citizenship.
Participants’ children could be allowed to attend public schools. Local food banks and community health organizations could provide support. The current 5-year naturalization time-period could be shortened.
Immigrants living in the U.S. illegally who refuse to apply for citizenship would continue to be deported.
Many communities, employers and citizens want these people to remain in the U.S. The above-described program is not perfect but something like it would bring opposing sides together. The outcome would be positive.
The 1974 Conditional Amnesty program was a compromise solution on how to both punish and forgive Vietnam War draft evaders. It entailed performing two years of public service and pledging allegiance to the U.S. It was major step in healing the tremendous national divide caused by the war.
Wouldn’t it do everyone so much more good by doing something similar now?
Paul Gallo
Barre