Optimist
  • News
  • Sports
  • Opinion
    • Columns
    • Editorials
    • Letters to the Editor
  • Features
    • Book Review
  • Multimedia
    • Photo Galleries
    • Videos
  • Podcasts
    • Optimist Overtime
    • Top of the Key
  • Police Log
  • Print Edition
  • Projects
  • About
    • Advertise
    • Policies
    • Staff Contacts
    • Jobs
You are here: Home / Opinion / Current immigration practices don’t reflect our values
Cartoon by Ernesto Guajardo

Current immigration practices don’t reflect our values

February 2, 2018 by Optimist Editorial Board

Our nation was founded on immigrating for a better life, to escape a vicious ruler and to pursue freedom from inequality. But when it comes to immigration, our nation can’t seem to find practices that reflect these principles.

Our current practices are at odds with our history. America, in principle, stands for everything great in the world. We stand for freedom, we stand for equality and we stand for justice.

No matter which party you side with, most Americans can agree that people from other nations should have a reasonable way to come to the country legally. So then why does our immigration system seem so unreasonable?

Immigrants must find their way through a maze of regulation and bureaucracy. The first step to becoming a U.S. citizen is achieved through one of five ways: family, employment, investment, the “Diversity and Lottery” program or through “The Registry.” The path to permanent residence is dictated by how wealthy or experienced you are in a craft, and the only way for somebody without familial connection or money is the “Diversity and Lottery” program, which is threatened in today’s politics. This route takes three to five years for an immigrant to gain legal status.

Another hoop immigrants must jump through is the U.S. citizenship test, which only one in three native-born Americans can pass. We expect immigrants to know everything about our history, our language and our government, but we hardly know the information ourselves. The process to move from permanent resident to full citizen could take up to seven years.

Even legal citizens face the annoying red tape from the legal system when we get a driver’s license, file for a passport or register our vehicles. When our ancestors immigrated to America to seek a better life, and when our founding fathers declared independence from an oppressive government, there was no red-tape regulation to keep them out.

In the early days of America, George Washington once wrote in a letter: “The bosom of America is open to receive not only the opulent and respected stranger, but the oppressed and persecuted of all nations and religions whom we shall welcome to a participation of all our rights and privileges.”

This is the principle that America likes to boast about, but the life for immigrants in today’s society does not reflect that same mindset. America may be the greatest country in the world, but we must remain conscious of our history and where we came from in order to make sure the American Dream stays alive and well. 

Filed Under: Editorials, Opinion

Other Opinion:

  • Not-so-friendly competition

  • Sing Song in the Expo Center presents an exciting opportunity

  • Micro-trends are a danger to Gen Z and the planet

About Optimist Editorial Board

You are here: Home / Opinion / Current immigration practices don’t reflect our values

Other Opinion:

  • Not-so-friendly competition

  • Sing Song in the Expo Center presents an exciting opportunity

  • Micro-trends are a danger to Gen Z and the planet

Follow us online

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Optimist on Twitter

acuoptimist The Optimist @acuoptimist ·
4 May

"Maybe we just don’t care enough. But if we do start caring, and if we become the loudest fans in the WAC, let’s stick to supportive cheering." Read more from Guest Columnist Londyn Gray:
https://acuoptimist.com/2022/04/not-so-friendly-competition/

Reply on Twitter 1521918832738144257 Retweet on Twitter 1521918832738144257 1 Like on Twitter 1521918832738144257 8 Twitter 1521918832738144257
acuoptimist The Optimist @acuoptimist ·
3 May

Royce Clough and Jael Morel have been named as Mr. and Miss ACU for the class of 2022, a traditional honor voted on by the student body and awarded to two members of each graduating class.

Reply on Twitter 1521607087553458178 Retweet on Twitter 1521607087553458178 Like on Twitter 1521607087553458178 19 Twitter 1521607087553458178

Optimist on Facebook

The Optimist

2 months ago

The Optimist
"Maybe we just don’t care enough. But if we do start caring, and if we become the loudest fans in the WAC, let’s stick to supportive cheering." Read more from Guest Columnist Londyn Gray: ... See MoreSee Less

Not-so-friendly competition - Optimist

acuoptimist.com

BY: LONDYN GRAY “Number 18, you look like you don’t shower!” I chuckled and shrugged it off. “Londyn!” They had looked up the roster. “Do you even brush your teeth?” I laughed again, rol...
View on Facebook
· Share

Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linked In Share by Email

The Optimist

2 months ago

The Optimist
Cullen Auditorium is expected to be handed over to the university in June 2022, alongside a name change that coupled with the renovation will create new future for the Cornerstone class, Chapel and the Department of Theatre. ... See MoreSee Less

Cullen Auditorium still set for a name change alongside renovations - Optimist

acuoptimist.com

Cullen Auditorium is expected to be handed over to the university in June 2022, alongside a name change that coupled with the renovation will create new future for the Cornerstone class, Chapel and th...
View on Facebook
· Share

Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linked In Share by Email

Videos

Women’s tournament run ended by first-round exit against UTRGV

The Wildcats’ Western Athletic Conference tournament run and season came to a ... [Read More…]

  • Optimist Newscast Feb. 22. 2022
  • Optimist Newscast 2.16.2022
  • Optimist Newscast 2.9.2022

Latest Photos

  • Home
  • Weekly Ads
  • Classifieds

© 2022 ACU Optimist · All Rights Reserved

Posting....