My letter to the next president
My letter is about the immigration system in the United States. It includes the problems with it and how the next president needs to fix for our country to be efficient.
Dear Next President,
Every few days, weeks, or months we see hundreds of people coming onto the shores of our country searching for a way to start their new life. The Atlantic Magazine also explains that these people could possibly be “deaf, dumb, blind, idiotic, insane, pauper, or criminal”. They say that they could become a, “hopeless burden upon the country, perhaps even an active source of mischief”. If more than half the percent of the people that come into our country are what this source says they are, we need to change the immigration process. We need to make the process more strict so criminals and non beneficial people, will not become a citizen of America.`
I feel parts of the naturalization process should be changed. For example the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) explains the steps of the process. As of right now an immigrant has to be a permanent resident in the United states for at least 5 years before they can file for citizenship. However, I feel that immigrants trying to become naturalized should have to become a citizen first in order to even be a permanent resident here. Another example is, one of the steps to getting your certificate of naturalization is demonstrating good moral character. The person also has to demonstrate a basic knowledge of U.S. history, government, and civic principles. The problem with these steps to me is that just having a good moral behavior does not cut it. Also, the knowledge test they take that involves facts about the U.S. history, government, and civic principles to me is just a pointless step for the immigrants to become a citizen. The test has nothing to do with them becoming a citizen. It is convenient to know about the United States history, but should not be required.
So therefore, Mr. or Mrs. president I believe it is in your hands to fix the overall process of becoming a U.S. citizen. The steps of the naturalization process should be more realistic because the steps are not very difficult things for immigrants to do. The process should be easier for those who have clean records. But more strict for the criminals and non beneficial people. I believe that by doing this our country will become a better nation as a whole. So are you going to make the change or have this country keep downgrading and become a burden to the other countries of the world?
Sincerely,
Jenna
Grade 10
Inver Grove Heights, Minnesota