E-mail updates
Follow on Twitter
Subscribe to RSSBy Becky Bratu, msnbc.com
NEW YORK – A tense silence came over the wood-paneled courtroom as about 160 naturalization petitioners and their guests awaited the arrival of federal District Judge Barbara S. Jones.
They were all minutes away from becoming U.S. citizens, the culmination of an immigration process that can take several years.
Sitting in the front row and wearing the red, white and blue dress uniform of the U.S. Marine Corps, 23-year-old David Wen Riccardi-Zhu watched the door that led to the judge’s quarters. Half-Chinese, half-Italian, he was about to be the first one in his family to become a U.S. citizen. Born in Naples, Italy, Riccardi-Zhu moved to New York with his parents and brother 16 years ago.
“I’ve been waiting for this for so long,” he said, adding that he was particularly excited about voting for the first time.
The crowd stood as Judge Jones entered the room. Right hands were raised and a chorus of voices began reciting the Oath of Allegiance.
From a war-torn land
A week ago, 32-year-old Nazia Hadle was one of these voices.
Born in Afghanistan, Hadle became an American citizen, joining thousands naturalized all over the country this week, ahead of Independence Day.
“Finally, I made it,” she said.
For Hadle there is no looking back to her life in war-torn Afghanistan. While her homeland is still reeling from the terrorist attack this week on a hotel in Kabul, she is looking forward to bringing her children, Sarah, 7, and Yusef, 1, to see the Independence Day fireworks in Manhattan.
In 1999, Hadle fled her town in northern Afghanistan, where she taught English, to escape the war she had known her whole life. She was granted asylum in the U.S., and in 2006 she became a permanent resident.
That was two years after she learned her father had died in Afghanistan, and her remaining relatives had moved to Canada.
“Now I got nothing (in Afghanistan),” Hadle said. “And there’s always war.”
Long haul to citizenship
According to federal statistics, more than 675,000 citizens were naturalized in fiscal year 2010. U.S. citizenship law requires foreign nationals to live in the U.S. legally for five years, pass an interview, a citizenship test and a background check to become Americans.
With help from her daughter and an immigration counselor at Brooklyn’s Catholic Migration Office, Hadle submitted her application in December.
“I love the freedom here,” she said, “although I don’t get 100 percent freedom.” Since 9/11, Hadle said, she’s noticed people are more likely to have a negative reaction when they hear she’s an Afghan.
And Frederik Stefani, the immigration counselor who assisted Hadle with her case, said the security clearance for naturalization applications submitted by Afghans as well as citizens of various Middle Eastern nations tends to take longer than for other foreign nationals.
Now, as her Afghan husband prepares his own citizenship application, Hadle hopes her new status will help. The new American wants to one day resume her teaching career.
'Waited a long time for this day'
“I know that many of you have waited a long time for this day,” Judge Jones told the newly minted citizens standing in the lower Manhattan courthouse on Friday. “You are the new blood that strengthens and invigorates this country.”
The right hands were raised again, this time to the heart, as the chorus recited the Pledge of Allegiance. Standing to the right of Riccardi-Zhu, a Russian-born woman who’s lived in the U.S. for 15 years wiped a tear from the corner of her right eye.
The ceremony over, each new citizen walked to the front of the courtroom to receive a certificate confirming their new status. An elderly man stopped to read the paper and smiled. As people exited the courtroom, a courthouse employee congratulated them in various languages. Even the ladies’ restroom was abuzz with excitement, as a bathroom attendant congratulated a woman.
“I got my citizenship 32 years ago,” the attendant said in Spanish. “Citizenship is a very good thing.”
Eric Grigorian / Polaris
More than 8,000 people take the oath this week in Los Angeles to become new U.S. citizens.
Leave a Comment:
Suckers! You could have just come across through mexico and got all sorts of handouts.
That's just sick - here I was hoping to celebrate the people who did something right, and who worked hard. Why rain on the parade??
THESE are the people who should settle the illegal immigration/amnesty debate once and for all.
Because he's an a$$hole.
Let me guess-you live by the border too. Still, aren't you glad to see that the rest of the world sees us an icon of freedom? Almost everyday I read that people are being detained and sent back to Mexico....border patrol is hiring and 3 miles of fence have been put up in Nogales. Personally I think we should just let Mexico have Tucson...ha ha.
I wish our new citizens luck.
These people are what makes up the backbone of America. The immigrants that want to be American, not the scum that sneak into this country and expect rights they don't deserve. For those who followed the laws and achieved their citizenship, Welcome to America and I am glad you are here!
This is a cause for celebration !!!! Congratulations and welcome to the US of A and also THANK YOU for doing it correctly.
Congrats to all of you new Americans that did it the right way!!! Our country welcomes you... now all you illegals feel free to hit the road and come back when you want to enter our country legally. Take a note Mr. President- there is a right way and a wrong way to become a citizen and amnesty is the WRONG way...
Welcome, and congratulations, new citizens. Here's a song to celebrate your new home. youtube.com/watch?v=T3S7mlIRYL-8 Good luck and good wishes.
One has to wonder if they will be so proud of their choice to become Americans when Obama grants amnesty to foreign criminals and they are stuck along with the rest of us watching our neighborhoods deteriorate, our schools and hospitals overcrowded, and being stuck with the bill for the freeloaders.
Good job LEGAL immigrants, too bad that Democrats have no more respect for what you have done than those who pay to be smuggled in to collect benefits and drop anchor babies.
Wait, you mean there is a way for people to come to this country legally? I thought the only way to become a citizen was for the liberals to give amnesty to all those that are breaking the law? Why should we award those that have broken the law, when there are long, long lines of people waiting to become a citizens the correct way?
Republican, conservative St. Ronnie Reagan is the only US president to give blanket amnesty to illegals and he did it on a grand scale.
Both parties have screwed up the immigration issue. Democrats are just more honest in revealing their intentions to screw things up. Republicans won't tell you until after they are elected.
If you are from some countries, there really isn't any way to get here legally. I called my Senator's office out of curiousity, and he immediately put me in touch with those in the government who handle such things. I gave an example to them of a person from El Salvador. The waiting list for that country is so long, that it is almost impossible for a citizen of that country to come here legally. But immigration law is written that way on purpose, so that people close to our borders WILL HAVE to sneak in to get here...it is INTENTIONAL so that businesses can exploit these workers with cheap wages AND gain the additional benefit of driving wages down for US citizens at the same time. Win-win for business, and lose-lose for everyone else, and that is why we won't get real immigration reform that matters. (In case you are wondering, I am of European mixed ancestry and my family has been here since the 1600s in one line, from before the American Revolution in several others, and another line came here in 1875 from Ireland. So this isn't about me or mine specifically.)
Deb,
We want diverse immigrants right? Then accepting every Mexican and Salvadoran would make the new immigrant population a lot less diverse. Therefore, there must be restrictions put in place on the number of immigrations from each country.
Every country, including El Salvador and even (gasp) Mexico, has the same number of visas available to them. The reason some poor Latin American countries have a long waiting list is that most of their citizens want to up and go to the US, whether we want them here or not, whether we have a visa available for them or not, whether we need their skills or not. If all Germans or all Russians up and left their countries and came to the US, the wait for them to legalize would be just as long.
Kate
CC Arm,
President Clinton granted amnesty to millions also. Maybe you should Google "Clinton Amnesty" and see all the acts of legislation that granted amnesty to a couple of hundred thousand here and there by then President Clinton.
Don't act like a lawyer, tl671, or a historian. Conservatives like you routinely alter history, so it's becoming more and more common to simply categorize you as a dismissible goofball. Whenever you speak, I think, "Great, another one of these guys in the way"...cases for abortion are stacked miles high in my eyes.
If you were a cop, you'd break the law a lot, I'm sure. I bet you'd do just fine in Arizona or Florida, the exotic redneck fortresses of the country.
You're problem is, you see a grown man cry over losing his job, and you hear him lament the 15-year waiting list, all you can think about is if he really enjoys tortillas three times a day. You have no compassion for the equal amount of bull@!$%# you and he go through day to day. You are both being pumped in the butt by your Big Bro, and you're arguing about it. You're like Ving Rhames and Bruce Willis, except, you continue to fight once you're freed from the web of Zed.
You are white, so you don't know hardships. Even if you're dirt poor, you are born with the most solid set of rights there are, and you get mad when others fret over their lack of rights. Don't you see, infantile scum, you are no better.
Who cares if the illegals are siphoning the life from our economy, were too lazy to prevent it, and they realize, that things like Medicaid and Social Security are fleeting things. Better grab some now, you know? Before China comes to collect.
I never understood racism. Asinine arguments over how light reflects. "Is this country ready for a person, who's skin reflects black because of the sun..."
Welcome to America, just in time for our 4th of July celebration, how cool is that? Refreshing, for a change, to see immigration stories involving people who have WORKED for it and EARNED it. Ask these people what they think of illegal immigrants! Go Arizona!
What a joke, who did they pay off?
I am a disabled american veteran and have had my wife and son approved 2 times by immigration and been refused 2 times by the department of state. I refused to pay the 5000 dollar bribe demanded by Michael Jacobson and his minuns at Guangzhou consulate. I turned them in for bribes at every government office available. My reward for this whistle blowing is refusal of my family to get a visa. This has been six long years of many thousands of dollars. How can I feel anything but hate for those that come here and walk through this sham. I am a citizen born here in the USA, a disabled American veteran and I can not get my family here in the USA. Kiss My ass USA government for your bribes, fraud, corruption. Your made up laws, made up by each consulate officer to refuse a visa to disabled American vets familys.
State department officers told me to move to China, should have married a white woman in the USA. Told since I am retired and diabled and a veteran I produce nothing so I do not deserve to marry outside the USA, so no family visa for me.
That's the right way to become a citizen of this country, and not sneak across the border like some criminal.
CCArm
"Republican, conservative St. Ronnie Reagan is the only US president to give blanket amnesty to illegals and he did it on a grand scale."
Simpson Mazzoli was a bipartisan bill that granted limited amnesty in exchange for stricter immigration enforcement. In the end that enforcement has largely been ignored and the amnesty just encouraged more to sneak across our borders. This was not the first nor the last amnesty given to illegal aliens in this country.
Personally I love to read stories like this, it shows that there are still some willing to follow our rules & do things the legal way instead of the easy way of just sneaking in.
CCArm
Get it straight CCArm. Reagan made an agreement with Tip O'Nell (You Know, the DEMOCRAT) that he would sign a bill that gave amnesty to those already living in the US IF O'neill would get the votes necessary to pass a comprehensive immigrations bill that could pass both houses. Reagan kept his end of the deal, but what did Congress (you know, the ones that write and pass the laws) do? The answer is NOTHING. Blame Reagan all you want, but Democrats have had control both houses far longer in the past 50 years than republicans, so cry me a river about how bad republicans are when your side cant follow through on a deal.
Our next wars will be fought over water (in some instances, that is happening right now) due to too many people on the planet. I think that anyone who wants to come to this country should be given the opportunity (within reason) but must agree to be sterilized.
you know this is my country and yours and we are going to let these musulums take it ? sorry not in my life. they need to fix theirs not ours. don't respect the flag, don't say god, sorrry you're on my shoot to kill list
Grow up, tl671.
I suggest anyone touting the "legal way" have a look at this diagram: http://reason.com/assets/db/07cf533ddb1d06350cf1ddb5942ef5ad.jpg
Steven1
"I suggest anyone touting the "legal way" have a look at this diagram:"
Yes, what's your point? There is a large demand to come to this country and there is nothing wrong with wanting the best & brightest. If you are the hiring manager of a company do you hire the ones who need the job the most? No, you hire the best qualified for the job.
And that is exactly how it should be, and why I congratulate these people for sticking to it.
You mean people are capable of obeying laws to enter another country?
This article is clearly a hoax, as any obedient Democrat will tell you foreigners have to violate border laws, and pay smugglers, to get into the U.S. and therefor those laws should just be removed.... oh and it's not just an easy way to buy desperately needed votes despite the dire consequences to the nation. (sarcasm)
Nice to see people who actually want to be Americans instead of foreigners looking for a free ride on the backs of others.
Congratulations and welcome to the new Americans.
I always get emotional when people become Americans. I am first generation.
This is a wonderful country.
God bless America.
Eric and Chris,
Thank you both for correcting Cc's revisied history. These are the same types of revisionists who tout Regan as a purveyor of brutality against the poor.
Congratulations to everyone of those new citizens. Thank you for doing it the right way. Welcome and best of luck to all of you.
There looks like a lot of Chinamen in that crowd.
What's your point?
I became a citizen almost 65 years ago when I was born in Hot Springs, Arkansas. As much as I love my country, I'm going to bet I don't appreciate being a citizen as much as these 160 people do. Congratulations to all! Happy 4th.
yo...johnny...those are not "Chinamen"....
those are AMERICAN CITIZENS...you stupid blockhead racist idiot!
it's comments like yours that give the rest of US a bad name and reputation.
The people who most appreciate America, I find, from having as some of my closest friends legal immigrants from Bangladesh, Indonesia as well as one from a West African nation, who is seeking asylum, is that nobody better appreciates the opportunities America has to offer than immigrants.
No one understands better the unique opportunity that being an American - as opposed to living in any other country in the world (including Western European ones) - that this country truly is the best and offers more opportunity and freedom to live your life the way you want to and be all you can be than any the United States. Even today, with our politicians only too willing to denigrate America the best and brightest of all nations are - as they always have in the past - finding their way to America. You don't see the smartest of the smart heading to Russia, or China do you? Nobody with real brains who wants to be free and live in a civilized society where true respect for human rights and life exists would want anything to do with them - despite the so called economic booms they are experiencing.
My friends and the ultimate contributions they make will help make America a more powerful, diverse as well as all inclusive nation. Would that one could say the same of kids born here who didn't have to make any sacrifices to get here. We are currently raising at all levels of our society empty headed, video "game boys and girls" with the mentality - "It's all about me"; individuals who barely know how to crack a book and read - much less speak English properly - and I am not even referring to the legions of Hispanic and other subsets who are intractably refusing to learn to speak English because they have no desire to assimilate and truly become Americans.
I guess it just goes to prove that until you have done without something you really don't appreciate it; and that when you are given something that you didn't earn it whether it is freedom or money that you happened to inherit simply because you popped out of a certain woman, into a certain family that had money for the leaving you are not likely to ever appreciate it.
Congratulations to all of those mentioned, who are now citizens of the greatest nation the world has ever seen; you are to be commended for doing it the right, the legal way.
Too bad we have so many in Washington - including our esteemed President - who want to denigrate your commitment to doing it "the old fashioned", the legal, the right way, by giving what you worked so hard to lawfully attain to those who had and continue to have no respect for America or the importance of being one of its citizens.
Are you really serious? What an incredibly ignorant, stupid thing to say that America is the greatest country in the world. Boy, have you ever fallen into the brainwashing machine head first. To add insult to injury you spout forth the nonsense that it is even better than western European countries. What? America's government, education and legal systems are BASED on the British system, America's infrastructure is crumbling, its senators and Presidents are constantly being caught out as being cheats, perverts, liars. This is a place where utter idiots like Bachman and Palin could actually be in Presidential office, their finger on the button, its education system is in disarray, the ignorance of its people being the laughing stock of the world, the worst in the western world and crime is higher per capita than any western European country. America, for what it is, may be a mighty, powerful country where freedom of expression is evident, it is also a beautiful country with some damn fine people, but to be so ignorant as to think that it is any better, any more free, any more stable than the United Kingdom, Sweden, Germany, Italy etc., or outwith Europe - Japan, Australia, Canada etc. is simple ignorance and senseless insularity. Get your facts right before talking such bovine faeces and do your homework.
I think just as highly of you Colin as you think of me!
Get your facts straight. Just because you don't like America, doesn't mean everyone is as blinded as yourself by your prejudices.
You also mistake me for someone who actually cares what you think!
If you don't care what I think, why bother to respond? Where exactly did I say that I don't like America? What I don't like is the fact that you are showing no signs of free thinking; rather you are brainwashed into believing that whatever sounds vaguely 'patriotic' is the correct thing to say without giving any thought to the actual TRUTH of what you are saying. America may be ONE of the greatest countries in the world but it is you my friend who is showing prejudice towards the countries which you in fact denigrate by blindly putting them into some sub class behind America. My guess is that you are untravelled, uneducated and desperate to just 'belong.' What about the United Kingdom? Do you think the freedoms there are any less than those of the U.S.? You mention true regard for human rights! Name one country in wester Europe which has the Klu Klux Klan. Name one which has such a disgraceful record of human rights violations as the U.S.
Just for fun, google 'Scottish Inventions' and see what a small nation such as it has given the world. Then go to the library and study your facts. Without doing so you are merely being a puppet; brainwashed and ignorant.
Colin: the United States has been and always will be the the greatest country in the world. The reason for that, and the continued proof, is the consistent net immigration to the United States.
If other Western nations are at all close, why do they, consistently, lose their citizens to the US ?
Congradulations to these newest US citizens. They have worked hard to achieve the greatist gift the world has to offer.
The news last night reported that Georgia farmers are mad at the immigration policy stance their state has taken. One showed how his blackberries are, right this moment, rotting in the fields because most farm workers are afraid they will be rounded up and deported. There was actually ONE older white lady from the area, but she said "I'm ashamed to admit it, but when the heat gets [high], I don't come back in the afternoon" to pick berries. The farmer is paying $12 an hour - in Georgia!! If he'd pay me cash under the table, I'd pick! And make my video-game-playing kids get out there too! Here in Cali, the farmer advertized only $9 and hour, and it's not cash - and the cost of living far exceeds rural Georgia, to be sure.
This sobbing little El Savadoran lady said they don't want to cause trouble, just work. Her husband went to another state, they split up in case one gets deported...pitiful.
Come on 2012, we need a workable system of migrant worker permits, so they can come, get money, and then go home until the next growing season. Like the good old days. That used to be how it was done.
America is the greatest country in the world. That's why I live here, and will stay here. Ya, we've got some effed up stuff, who doesn't. But it's still where I choose to call home and I'll always believe we are the greatest place to live.
I also congratulate and welcome all these new citizens. Thank you for making the effort to become an American citizen, and best of luck you all as new citizens!
Colin-3681330
"This is a place where utter idiots like Bachman and Palin could actually be in Presidential office,"
Good point, look at the idiot we have in office now. At least in this country we can choose what idiot we want in office (and most are). We don't have to live with and help support any royalty, we also at least to some degree have the ability to change how our government runs things.
Colin, I would guess you have never lived anywhere except the U.S. Perhaps you have never even traveled outside the U.S. I have! I have lived or spent considerable time in several of the countries you mentioned as well as many others. One thing I have learned over the time I have spent abroad is that a common dream of most of the people I have met is to, one day, come to America. Many also wish to become American citizens. If we are as screwed up as you seem to think we are, why would anyone wish to come here?
You are certainly right that our government, education and legal systems are based on what others have done in the past (not just the British). In most cases we have improved on those systems and continue to work to improve what we have. We do have issues in education, infrastructure, politics and crime but we don’t try to hid those issues. They are right out there in public for everyone to see and for anyone, who wants to make a difference, to do something about. In some cases we have certainly stumbled but we continue trying. In the future we will have many more successes and failures but we will always continue trying to be better.
One thing I have found, over the years, is that the media loves to publish failures on the front page of a newspaper and successes on the back page. If all you do is read the front page, or if you just watch the evening news or CNN or Fox, you will likely believe we are on the verge of complete and total collapse, brainwashing in its simplest form; brainwashing by choosing ignorance if you will. There also an awful lot of pessimists out there who choose to see only the problems and none of the successes. I see a lot of those folks in these discussions.
As I said earlier, I have lived or spent a great deal of time in most of those countries you mentioned, as well as many others. I guess you could say that I have done my homework and while I have found many things I like in those other countries, based on what I have seen, I am living in the greatest country in the world: U.S.A. If you believe otherwise, I strongly suggest that you find that country you think is better and move there as soon as possible.
Congrats to all the new citizens! Best of luck in America in the years ahead.
To Colin, tired and others ....
I'm an American and proud to be one. But that doesn't blind me to the fact that other countries out there have great systems, great people and are a great place to live as well. I've been to many of them.
Colin -- you have some good points, American DOES need work and it's only those who are not blinded by those problems that can get the work done.
Tired -- Beware of extreme nationalism is a BAD THING. Study your history -- nationalism was one of the primary causes of WWI.
Admit it -- America is a GREAT country. There are other GREAT countries out there as well. Let's stop with this ridiculous "one-up-manship". We'd all get along better.
And .. to the point of this story .. congrats to our new citizens. In the words of the (nearly) immortal Spock ... Live long and prosper.
Beautifully put tiredofhypocrites-794827. #3.13 - Sat Jul 2, 2011 2:13 PM EDT
I would add, re Colin, that it more than likely he doesn't have any close friends who have jumped though the hoops necessary to make the long voyages to America to arrive here as legal immigrants. Two of my best friends came here seeking political asylum from their own God forsaken countries; both knew from an early age that they had to somehow make it to America. My other "son's I never had" all came from Bangladesh and had the good fortune to win the U. S. Green card lottery that we extend to Bangladesh and a number of other countries. None of them, for a second, thought of going to any country save America.
Why? Because the basic fact of the matter is, that there is no other country anywhere that encourages individuality and personal freedom and initiative to the extent the United States does. Certainly, one can live a decent life in countries like Britain, France, Germany etc - if you don't mind socialism and the ultimately destructive effect its "cradle to grave", nanny state paradigm has on individual initiative; to the point French "students" and unions practically rioted several years ago when a law was proposed that made it easier to fire incompetent employees - rather than having to go through endless hearings or even hauling them into court to get rid of them.
As you pointed out, America does have problems - but, big deal, it is the challenges in life that define us both as individuals and as a nation.
The key to America and Americans is that we believe - and have pretty much proven - that there is almost nothing that we can't do if we truly set our minds to it; whereas in most other countries - they are too busy worrying about whether what they are doing now conforms with their "glorious pasts" to think creatively and outside the box.
Americans don't tend to may no never mind (as the Amish might say) to what may have worked in the past, but which probably bears little, if any relevance, unless improved upon, extrapolated and resized to fit the present.
Times are hard now; but we will bounce back - even stronger and be even more powerful.
TY Beth!!! :)
Happy Independence Day!
TYPO re above near end:
Americans don't tend to PAY no never mind (as the Amish might say) to what may have worked in the past, but which probably bears little, if any relevance, unless improved upon, extrapolated and re-sized to fit the present.
Beth: Ah, as logical as a Vulcan! :)
The United States is not the "greatest country in the world". This is jingoistic hyperbole. One of the big problems the US has is that because US media is so dominant in the world that the rest of the world has been brainwashed into thinking the US is the greatest country in the world too, which breeds resentment against the US. What makes a country great? It's people? So that makes Americans the greatest people in the world too, yes? And you're surprised there are people who hate Americans?
This notion of the greatness of America also makes a lot of people take major problems the US has less seriously, I've seen people laugh at the appalling education statistics the US has, such as in math and history. This is not a joke - it's a real problem that is crippling the country.
"Because the basic fact of the matter is, that there is no other country anywhere that encourages individuality and personal freedom and initiative to the extent the United States does."
Oh what nonsense, take a trip to Canada one of the days. Canada has five political parties sitting in Parliament, the US has two in Congress. (And Canada has a ninth of the population of the US.) Why? Because the only thing the Democrats and Republicans agree on is that they should be the only two political parties in America, have a look at the history of campaign finance reform. This is the great American democracy?
Being dismissive of the "socialist" tendencies of other countries is also a complete joke, take a look at how large of a part Medicare and Social Security are of the Federal budget. People tend to be less healthy in later years, the US has the Medicare program for retired people. In essence the principal is no different than healthcare systems in other countries, however those countries do not suffer the massive fraud endemic in the Medicare system because they have more direct control of the actual providers.
People go on about how the US has "low" taxes, actually no it doesn't, has the second highest corporate tax rates among major OECD countries last time I checked, many parts of Canada have lower taxes than popular American States because although Canadian income taxes are higher, their payroll taxes are much lower than FICA.
The most graphic example I've found lately of American jingoism is in the M-638 citizenship guide, which says the US won the War of 1812 - if that were true, Canada wouldn't exist.
Vive la difference, Steven.
No one said America is perfect and doesn't have its share of problems. It is though the single most powerful country in the world and still draws the truly best and brightest to its shores because those best and brightest realize that, if they really want to accomplish as much as they are capable of, that it would be absolutely stupid to go to a country such as Canada, or France, or Britain and allow their socialistic, nanny state structures suck the life out of them - taking from the thrifty and giving to the shifty - as they are designed to do to any who truly have initiative and brains.
But, if you want to believe that that is all fine and dandy and just oh so swell - be my guest.
Fortunately, I live America and do not need to follow what you say, nor of course need you follow I say.
In the end reality will win out and America will evolve into an even more powerful and deservedly so, influential nation - much to the dismay and gnashing of teeth of dear, oh so not at all loyal "friends" like the French. I predict that you too will find yourself gnashing your teeth. We Americans tend to perform best and rise above and see beyond the limitations of the moment best when we are in difficult circumstances because unlike the "competition" we are not afraid to think unpredictably and create totally new concepts our of whole cloth.
There are only two levels to anything, The Best and all The Rest. There is only one "best" nation - and her name is America!
Happy 4th of July! Adios.
Cassandra must be a Liberal social worker or that type as shown by her ignorance of the bill to allow people up to 35 yrs old to apply for taxpayer funded tuition in our schools, what a tool !!!
Congratulations to this new group of U.S. citizens. I wish them all the luck in the world. And a special thank you to David Wen Riccardi-Zhu for his contribution to the military of the United States of America.
Happy Forth of July to all citizens of the United States of America!
And same to you Bill. Let us all take a break from attacking each other for a few days and enjoy celebrating the signing of a great document... The Declaration of Independence!
On Tuesday, however, I will continue arguing with the many liberals who don't seem to have a clue, and need enlightenment!
Ive been a US citizen for 35 years, and did it the legal way. Its too bad that we have ignorant Americans by some of the comments.
see now I am ok with people coming in the right way, earning their citizenship. what i am against is the liberal agenda to grant citizenship for the border jumpers. there is a right way and a wrong way! i say lock the border down and if your caught here illegal then citizenship is out the door for you. Good luck to these people, good ridden to the illegals!
Fine! Provide a pathway that WORKS for people to become legal citizens and want to come here - the current system is so corrupt and so broken that it is just too difficult to cross. And it is the drive of the ones who do want to come here that will ultimately pay the taxes for my social security down the line. Or would you rather the slow demographic death of Japan and Italy, nations that are facing population pyramids of doom?!?
Why would anyone need a different pathway than the one these 160 people had to take?
ffeineandsugar: the caption on the picture with the article states "more than 8,000 are taking the oath in L.A. this weekend; more than 160 in just the group the article is talking about. This scenario is being played out in every city with a Federal court this weekend for thousands of LEGAL immigrants. Seems the current "pathway" worked just fine for them. Seeing the the majority of illegal aliens are on the low education end, who don't earn enough money to pay taxes as they are at or below poverty level or they pop out so many children they get every tax loophole there is, aren't going to be contributing to the tax structure, medicare, medicaid and social security in an amount that will keep these programs going when you are retirement age. The illegal aliens have no intention of ever becoming an American. All they want is what America can give them and what they can send back home.
So broken and difficult....WHAT!!! So do you think that anyone who wants to be a US citizen should be granted it overnight with no exceptions??? My grandparents came over from Ireland on a boat and did it the right way. They waited and worked hard for their opportunity to become American citizens and were damn proud when that great day came. Damn libs just don't get it. If you are given everything without hard work (the entitlement culture that the left fosters) then what good is it to ACTUALLY work hard for something???
Ask a Native American what he thinks about immigration!
neely - to compare the Ellis Island immigration process to that of today's is - not an accurate comparison. All you had to do back then was show up, NOT have TB or some obvious illness, then they processed the people in within a few weeks, end of story. It is taking YEARS to deal with this now, even for those with family already citizens.
Bill Thomas-2852155
"Ask a Native American what he thinks about immigration!"
I have, and most feel like I that they need to follow the rules & do it legally.
eric, I think you misunderstood Bill Thomas' post! 250 plus years ago our native Indians wecomed the immigrants from Europe 250+- with open arms. By the early 1900s those same native Americans had for the most part been killed off or moved to reservations, on land with no game or other opportunities!
Now we are faced with many illegal immigrants that the democrats wish to make citizens without going through current requirements. We are now a nation, much differnent from what the Native Americans were....but should we too open our borders allowing unrestricted immigration? Or making exceptions to the 'rules' like the democrats would like? I don't think so!
I am also a legal immigrant! This country was BUILT on LEGAL immigrants and NOT illegals..... Liberals always want to change the rules for their own benefit.....this time, it's VOTES because they know their boy is in trouble! More power to LEGAL IMMIGRANTS!!!!!!!
Oh great, we let in another "I got mine, screw you" soul. Just what we needed. (Sarcasm)
Your stupidity is showing big time Cassandra, (who knows nothing). Ellis Island closed because it had served its time, yes you had to be healthy by the standards of the day, and appear to be able to work ,or go west to farm under the homestead act, but people were sent home, and times change. It sounds, and looks by your posts that you feel you are the smartest set of tits on the block , but I got news for you, you aren't your just a non-thinking liberal girl who wouldn't know a fact if it hit her in the ASS. Illegal immigration costs this country over $350 billion not million, but billion a year, and they don't pay a centtila of that in sales tax, and they damn well don't pay income tax. So as for me I'll take the 8000 that are naturalized this week, and the rest that earn the right to become Americans the old fashion way.
Dred44, I agree with you totally they should become legal the old fashioned way. I believe that the reason it takes so long to become a citizen is because there are so many people wanting to come here and not enough public servants to help the process along as well as the paper work that has to be filled out and processed and probably background checks too. It's pretty obvious that the hispanic community is too lazy to do any paperwork and has no respect for our laws. If I was in charge there would be no illegals in this country because I'm not afraid to "hurt their little feelings".
Dred, why arent' you just a class act - hah! Lucky for us, some actually smart immigrants got in, instead of yours.
Congratulations! Our county was founded by people seeking asylum from their repressive natives countries. We are truly a melting pot of nationalities and faiths, seeking the same freedoms that have been pursued thousands of years, coming together to form a nation of tolerance, laws made by the people of the land, giving voice to every person regardless of age or gender. No matter what the challenges are today, tomorrow is always another day, a new page in your personal history book.
For all of you saying its only Dems that want to give amnesty, the last amnesty bill was signed by Reagan. And then attempted to be passed by GWB. So let's get our facts right next time, OK children?
You are absoluletly correct about republicans with amnesty and most hispanics know it. Gratz to the new citizens who can actually pass a history test in America! My advice is be an independant voter because both parties have some good people and none are best. Never let the government *help* you. You came here to be free. Relish it unlike so many born here who take it all for granted.
Happy Independance Day!
And I didn't like then either. But the pos currently in the whitehouse is doing what couldn't be accomplished through legislation, with administrative orders and circumvention of the law. All the while the socialists in the senate are still pushing their nightmare act. I'm all for those with the honor and decency to obey the law coming here and becoming citizens. But again I ask, why should we award those that are breaking the law, when there are so many good and decent people standing in line to emigrate lawfully?
When found to be very unpopular with the majority of citizens in this country, Bush at least had the respect to back off, Obama and his ilk do not care about the want and will of the people and they keep pushing the dream act and Reform (amnesty) legislation on us hoping that some how it will pass? Welcome new Citizens!
The Dream Act better pass, those kids deserve it - they qualify for college scholastically, want to go to college, have been here since brought as children with no choice on their part, and feel like they are citizens - culturally they are American.
It is not an option to kick out a kid who is functionally illiterate in their parents' native tongue, when they want, and qualify, to attend college here and be good citizens. If you work with these children, you would NEVER back down from insisting the Dream Act be instituted, and I will not.
Sorry cassandra, Most people including myself do want to give any Illegal the reward of citizenship no matter how they came to be here illegally, It is no way the responsibility or the duty of any of us to give anything to them, I would say it is their parents and their country of origin that are responsible for them? These illegals are costing us billions and billions of dollars and taking away the hope and dreams of a lot of our fellow citizens. These are the people where my compassion lies and yours should too...
Cassandra, who knew?
"The Dream Act better pass, those kids deserve it - they qualify for college scholastically, want to go to college, have been here since brought as children with no choice on their part, and feel like they are citizens - culturally they are American."
The dream act is not the answer it simply rewards bad behavior and encourages more illegal aliens to sneak across our borders and add further financial burden that we can not afford. I agree the children are not to blame, but neither are we. These people need to place the blame where it belongs, on their parents who felt that breaking law was the proper way to deal with this. These people can and do qualify for student visa's and are quite welcome to apply for citizenship just like everyone else.
No more amnesty, it hasn't worked in the past & never will.
The dream act...you mean the 'Nightmare Act' don't you, Cassandra, who knew? ?? Why in the hell would you reward an illegal alien who broke the law, snuck into this country illegally, and then lied for their entire life about being a citizen and reaped the benefits of a free education, free healthcare, free food stamps, and low rent?? Then after you allow them to come here they chain-migrate family members already here or from Mexico and they get gov't money and don't have to work for it. NO NIGHTMARE ACT, NO AMNESTY, NO AMNESTY, NO AMNESTY and boycott illegal aliens, anchor babies, chain migration, and anything illegal, including illegal aliens. Mexico, keep your trash in your own yard!!
So let me get this straight - the little kid who gets dragged here by their parents - the wrong doers - a kid who likely has little siblings who ARE citizens (whether you like that or not isn't the issue) who are college ready - you would deny this Dream Act help?? Oh brother.
The kids didn't do anything wrong. You expect an American-raised 18-year-old, who speaks English instead of Tagalog, to push a boat to a Philippine island, and do what? Give me a break. Or a similar kid who happens to be functionally illiterate in Spanish, back to Mexico?? Oh the humanity. (rolls eyes)
There are plenty of people, oldsters like myself, who will do whatever it takes to get a Dream Act passed. Thank GOD we got my brother in law to get off his butt and get his citizenship. He was here from age 2, but from Asia. The Ugly Americans will be out in force, so all foreign born kids, CYA ASAP.
Cassandra, who knew?
"So let me get this straight - the little kid who gets dragged here by their parents - the wrong doers - a kid who likely has little siblings who ARE citizens (whether you like that or not isn't the issue) who are college ready - you would deny this Dream Act help?? Oh brother."
And they have no one to blame for the unfortunate situation they are put in other than their criminal parents. No the kids generally did not do anything wrong, however their parents did & 2 wrongs will never make a right. Encouraging criminal behavior is never the answer and the parents should probably be prosecuted for human smuggling. Yes these kids should, and do qualify for student visas and can apply for citizenship like everyone else but no shortcuts.
This story is about those who worked hard to immigrate here legally and it belittles everything they have gone through to just let others have a free pass.
Amnesty is morally wrong and if it is put to a vote will fail every time.
As far as I'm concerned foreign born people of any age are quite welcome here, simply follow the rules.
Sorry, can't buy that. Your opinion that amnesty is wrong - the people who got it last time under Reagan would disagree with you probably - I disagree. The Dream Act would not be a blanket amnesty, it would be sanctuary for kids who grew up here. I think it will pass eventually.
The people who were granted amnesty under the Simpson Mazzoli act were also largely people who had been here the much of their lives as one of the requirements was they had entered the country by 1981. Had the other end of the agreement (the increased immigration enforcement) actually been followed as written, we likely wouldn't be in this predicament we are in now. Both sides have since admitted that the amnesty was wrong as it only led to increased immigrations violations by encouraging others to come seeking further amnesty.
http://immigration.procon.org/view.resource.php?resourceID=000844
I agree that a comprimise will likely be reached, but not any form of amnesty. We have learned our lessons from the past mistakes & will not repeat them.
I welcome our newest legal citizens. Add to our diversity, add to our culture as Americans, and become part of the fabric of the most exceptional nation there has ever been. A nation built from citizens of the rest of the world who yearned for freedom from repression, and thank you for doing it the "right" way.
These are the sort of people that help build our great nation into even a better one, and assure our children's futures.
Illegal aliens and their supporters must be shocked that so many people from all over the world have legally become citizens through, hard work, honor, and a true desire to become loyal American Citizens. Traits that are definitely unknown in their circles!
These New Citizens will learn to hate and dislike the illegals.... Crossing the Borders, and go straight to Social Services, FREE aid and Low Housing.... Bringing all 20 kids and some extras with them....
Still nice to see some do it The Right Way....
welcome ,and thank-you for being so happy to be one of us ,that means alot to me,best of luck and a lot of hard work you to can be anything you wish to be .which is happy and proud,THAT'S AMERICAN.
From 1970 till now we as America have increased in size from 200,000,000 people to 305,000,000 people. In 41yrs we've increased in size by 50%. Soon, with the eccelerated rate of legal and illegal immigration we'll be at 400,000,000 with most all of the manufacturing base gone overseas. I'm in no way against legal immigration but it seems as if we'll crush under our own weight eventually.
I think we have enough immigrants, legal and otherwise, to go around. This is like a broke family that can't afford to feed their kids, but keep having more. And we kinda hit the wire as a nation on spending money we don't have. Afghanistan, really?
Both prez candidates last time were for amnesty; Obozo because he's a liberal Muslim sympathizer socialist, and John "Which way is the wind blowing?" McCain because it secures his voting base in Az. He's so liberal + gutless he should BE a Democrat. And next time he probably will be. Like Ann Coulter said, this is what you get when you let the popular media choose your candidate.
Rant over, it's quite touching to see these folks reach their goal. Wonder where THEY stand?
I am just glad Jan Brewer is not running.
Couldn't you call Obama a few more names...you are obviously a Republican and a right-wing conservative...do you, or any of your persuasion have any concrete comments, or even a positive suggeston, other than hatred, name calling, bad mouthing...never heard a conservative discuss any issue except in 'bumper sticker sloganeering'.
As far as candidates go, the right wing looney fringe is in charge of the Republican political process. The list of jackasses professing to legitimate leaders is laughable...can't wait for 2012...the end of the Republican Party...hopefully for the next 20 years which is how long it will take us to heal from Bush and Cheney and the idiotic fiscal philosophy that the rght wing endorses.
Over the Bush decade we saw Revenue to the Treasury from Corporations and Wealthy fall by 25%. So what did the job creators give us? A RECESSION like none we've ever seen.
And what is the Republican solution for this mess they have put us in? More of the same stuff that got us here. Talk about lap dogs of the rich. Unless you are earning %500K+, you huys are a collection of the stupidest fools or religious lunatics if you are supporting your masters...
Do we really need to politicize everything? Less than 20 comments and this has gone from being a story about a group of new Americans realizing their dreams to Liberal and Conservative agendas. Give it a reast already. This has nothing to do with Republicans or Democrats or whether or not you like the President. Take it to another thread.
To the new U.S Citizens, congratulations on gaining your citizenship and best of luck in achieving your American dream, whatever it may be.
Yeah, you're right. Sorry. Sometimes it IS just a cigar. Or should be.
We should probably ask our newest citizens how THEY feel about a "path" to citizenship for those who are here illegally. Since they are the ones who have had to do it the "right way"...and it is not easy, they should be the ones to make the decision.
Our Country is built on immigrants I both congratulate and welcome our New Citizens. They have put in many years to do it right.
The only part of the article that was odd, was the congradulations in various languages.
"As people exited the courtroom, a courthouse employee congratulated them in various languages"
“I got my citizenship 32 years ago,” the attendant said in Spanish. “Citizenship is a very good thing.”
I would think a new citizen would want to be congratulated in English which is the American language.
Is learning English no longer encouraged, or required to become a USA Citizen? Apparently the Restroom attendant in the courthouse does not even know English after 32 yrs. of being a USA Citizen, which would mean she has been here for over the 32 yrs. for She made her comment to the reporter in Spanish.
There is no official American language in the US. Why are you reading so much into what was obviously a joyous day for so many?
My family is multilingual, although English has been the everyday language spoken. When I meet someone who speaks a language I have some facility in, I will attempt to converse with them in that language. It goes a long way to put people at ease when they are trying to adapt to a new place.
Pj, Get off the vine and look it up? English is the official language of this country?
First sentence of Wiki, to keep it simple - "English is the defacto national language of the United States, with 82% of the population claiming it as a mother tongue, and some 96% claiming to speak it "well" or "very well".[3] However, no official language exists at the Federal level." They have talked about it, suggested bills, nothing ever gets done, as usual.
Sorry US citizen, but the USA does not have an official language. It is accepted worldwide that we are an English speaking nation but there's been no law enacted making it 'official'. Not on the federal level that is. Many states have taken the initiative to declare English their official language. And many countries worldwide have even done so. But for some reason the lame brains in DC refuse to take action to do so. My guess is they view it as 'politically incorrect'. I don't mind people speaking their 'native language' in this country but if a person is going to choose to make the USA their home then they must accept the responsibility of learning my language. It is not my responsibility to learn their's. And IMO it is absolutely ridiculous to have to 'press 1 for English'! Everyone who's interested in seeing English declared the official language of the USA contact your senators and congress people! If enough of us pressure them perhaps they'll get tired of hearing from us and take action.
PJ,
I am quoting what the article said. I already stated it was a joyous time, however there is no joy in a new citizen if I cannot communicate with him, or her. You said when they are trying to adapt. after 8 to 16 yrs. one should have adapted, especially when taking the oath. After 32 yrs. I would expect to a citizen to respond to a reporter in english. Article said “I got my citizenship 32 years ago,” the attendant said in Spanish. “Citizenship is a very good thing.”
Viva LEGAL immigration.
I'm an Australian born man. I moved to Chicago when i got Married. My wifes family all live here so it was a natural choice. I see so many people who complain that they are being harrassed and even violense threatned against them. Well you know what if you come to this country illegally then you deserve what is being bestowed upon you. I've come here legally, obeyed the laws of the USA and solemly swear to pledge my alligance to the USA. Afterall this country provided for me and my family and above all i respect it and evrything in it. So to hell with everyone who treats it like crap. Congrats to those who do things the right way. Happy 4th of July!!!!!
I have a huge amount of respect for people who show the effort and dedication to become new, legal American citizens the right way. These are the people that this country was built on. Anybody can sneak across a river and live off welfare, but the person who is willing to devote years of their life to learn the language, history, and customs of this country is the person who deserves to be here, and that this country needs.
We have the largest recession in World history, we need 20 million good jobs, we have a 9% unemployment rate, who knows what the real unemployment rate is, we have a massive labor surplus, wages/salaries have been declining for decades, we have 11+ million illegal workers in the US, we need a 5% gdp just to provide enough jobs for legal residents, and we have never seen 5% gdp, and a group of fools think we need more workers. If anything, we should be exporting legal, highly skilled workers, highly educated workers, not importing any kind of workers, legally or illegally, skilled or unskilled, patriotic or unpatriotic, educated or illiterate, we need no new workers, and we neve again will need new workers, we will never be a labor intensive economy like we were 100 years ago. Almost all developed Nations need no new workers, most have too many workers, because of technoloy and trade, Japan has a zero in-migration rate of new workers, and their economy is still in deep trouble. Immigration is purely an economic issue, and economic illiterates are making decisions about our need for new workers.
gtbdave,
"We should be exporting legal, highly skilled workers" ???
So what I am hearing you say is that we train them, then export them to other countries to compete against us.
I do not think your idea will create more jobs here, however it will possibly raise our National debt with all the defaults on school loans because we deported them after training them.