Welcome to the third in a six-piece series on the history and facts behind American immigration. Each week, Liberty Nation author Kelli Ballard will examine a contentious issue related to today’s hottest topic. In part two, we questioned language and if it a possibility that the United States will soon be a Spanish-speaking country.
Right or Privilege?
One of the biggest topics when it comes to illegal immigration concerns is what is – and should be – considered a right and what is defined as a privilege for those who chose to sneak across our border. There are arguments from one end of the spectrum to the other, from making it illegal to be illegal (open borders) to becoming a secluded nation that bans immigrants from everywhere until we, as a nation, get things under control.
So, what should be considered a right for illegal aliens? We’re not referring to legitimate asylum seekers, but undocumented residents who choose to ignore our laws and are not trying to become legal citizens. They have the right to be treated humanely, obviously, but should we provide them with food, shelter, clothing, education, health care, etc.?
An argument could be given that because they are committing a crime, they should be treated as our own prisoners: three hots and a cot while they are in custody. Punishment is the reward for committing a crime and should be applied to all criminals, including immigrants.
The left would have taxpayers supplying illegal immigrants with more than we give our regular citizens. They are calling for free medical care, free education, no borders, so on and so forth. Some states have given these people a drivers’ license, something that I’ve always been told was a privilege, not a right. If a man (or woman) does not pay their child support, then they can have their license taken away. Why should non-citizens be rewarded for breaking our laws with one of the very “privileges” citizens lose when they do the same?
Perhaps one of the most progressive moves recently is fighting to give illegal immigrants the right to vote, to sit on US citizen boards, and even to be elected into or hold public office positions. There are millions of illegal immigrants residing in the United States. Isn’t it plausible that, should they have the right to vote, they will start to change the tide of democracy and make the border crisis an even more serious situation? With the power to vote as a non-citizen, they can change our laws, make it easier for their families and friends to come here, and demand and pass legislation for even more freebies.
There’s a saying: Anything worth having is worth working (or fighting) for. Those who wish to come to America and seek the dream – those who are willing to put forth the effort to do so legally – are always encouraged and welcomed. Those who wish to take shortcuts, ignore laws, and demand and get free benefits on the citizens’ dime will continue to be a drain on society.
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