Millions of people from around the world are within the United States illegally. They have surreptitiously and in violation of federal law entered into the United States, sneaking by the thin green line which is the Border Patrol. They have been admitted as non-immigrant aliens but failed to depart as they agreed to at the time of their entrance into the U.S.
These violators of federal law are the spotlight of current political debates culminating with an announcement on Monday by a bipartisan group of legislatures for a plan to allow those who are within the United States illegally to receive legal status within the United States and gain a path to citizenship. President Obama came out with a similar announcement today in Las Vegas.
The new amnesty plan rewards those who have ignored and violated federal law while virtually ignoring those who have applied to enter the United States legally. Passage of a amnesty bill or failure to do so will affect many parts of the United States including here in Eastern Washington where there is a large population of undocumented aliens.
Millions of people from other countries have applied for admission to the United States to become Lawfully Admitted Permanent Residents (LAPRs slang=green card holders) and eventually citizens. Most of these people must wait anywhere from a few months for a high priority immigrant such as the minor children of a permanent resident to several years for other lesser priorities. Most of these people respect the rules and wait in their country of citizenship until they receive permission to enter into the United States.
U.S. citizens and LAPRs can petition for immigrant status for their relatives. These relatives are generally required to await the approval of their petition outside of the country. This often takes years to achieve.
Non-immigrants are allowed into the United States for specific periods of time. Upon the expiration of their visa, they are required to depart the country. Those wishing to stay and adjust their status are required to depart the U.S. taking their place in the long line to legally immigrate to the United States.
The men and women who have followed the rules, refusing to violate federal law are being disregarded while those who have committed criminal violations are rewarded with the prize of legal status.
Those following the rule of the law, awaiting their lottery ticket to permanent residence have been hoodwinked into believing that rules are to be followed and those who follow them will be rewarded. They must now be contemplating coming to the United States illegally to receive a reward.
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