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Years in Immigration Purgatory Come to an End in Southern CaliforniaAfter years in immigration purgatory, a settlement approved yesterday will allow legal permanent residents across southern California to finally have the opportunity to have their citizenship applications processed. The Los Angeles Times covered the settlement, which came after the ACLU of Southern California and the National Immigration Law Center filed a lawsuit in 2007 on behalf of hundreds of legal immigrants who satisfied the requirements to become U.S. citizens but were left in limbo for months or years due to slow processing of a background check called the FBI name check. Since 2003, there have been systemic delays in naturalization because the government changed the FBI name check procedure so that applicants’ names are checked not only against the names of suspects and targets of investigations, but also innocent people who have been in contact with the FBI, such as witnesses, victims and people who have applied for security clearances. As a result, the FBI name check process takes much longer than the six months mandated under federal law. Furthermore, the government does not provide any reasons, so the applicants have no way of fighting these delays. "The naturalization process has been a bureaucratic nightmare for so many permanent residents who did everything right to become citizens of this country," said Jennie Pasquarella, staff attorney with the ACLU of Southern California in the Los Angeles Times article. "This restores the dream of citizenship and ensures that the government will be held accountable." Under the terms of the settlement, the FBI and the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) have agreed to process 90 percent of the backlogged applications in the next six months. In addition, the suit requires that the FBI and USCIS report their progress in reducing the backlogs in naturalization applications.
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Nov 10th, 2009 at 7:00pm
I am so sick of these ILLEGAL immigrants, thinking they have rights in our country. They should all be round up and shipped back to their respective countries, because they are here ILLEGALLY!!! They should have no rights, they should not receive our health care, they should not receive our food stamps, home loans, etc. I can't believe there are people in this would, that believe that they have rights. What is wrong with you people? When the Mexicans start doing their marches down the main streets, INS should be there arresting and deporting all of them....WE AMERICANS ARE SICK OF IT.. Thank goodness for Governor Joe in Arizona. He treats them as any CRIMINAL should be treated... We Americans are sick of these ILLEGALS being treated better than our own kind. If Americans go into another country, illegally, we would be arrested and deported, so what makes the ILLEGALS think they should not be... GET REAL!
Nov 11th, 2009 at 4:59am
Don't skimp on security. The important thing is that it's done thoroughly, n o matter how long it takes.
Nov 11th, 2009 at 2:22pm
Most of the so called illegal immigrants are of Indian descent while the bigots calling for their deportation
are white and whose ancestors stole the land from the Indians.Therefore it's the bigots who should be deported and the immigrants who should be left alone.
This also reminds me of a cartoon where
an Indian watches a flying saucer land
with the caption saying 'oh no not again'
Nov 12th, 2009 at 1:59pm
in response to answer #1.
dont you just hate ignorance? especially ignorant people who like running their mouths without knowing what theyre talking about?
1. undocumented people DO have rights under our government. this is part of the 14th amendment,"nor shall any State deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws."
notice the word PERSONS??? Yeah, thats right, persons, not citizens or permanent residents. anyone under us jurisdiction is entitled to these rights!!
2. undocumented people dont even take advantage of the privileges theyre entitled to because they fear being deported...which means that they dont really use our health care system because theyre afraid of being deported!
3. undocumented people pay taxes.
4. undocumented people are part of the backbone of the us economy. they are the ones willing to do the lowest paying jobs. would you like to work in the fields picking fruit in 110 degree weather? i dont think so.
5. i like how our government counts undocumented people for representation in congress YET they do not allow them to vote for those who will be "representing" them.
6. and finally, UNDOCUMENTED PEOPLE ARE NOT ONLY MEXICAN, THEY COME FROM ALL PARTS OF THE WORLD.
SIDE COMMENTS:
*PASS THE DREAM ACT!!!!
AND SOME KIND OF IMMIGRATION REFORM
[:
Nov 13th, 2009 at 10:32am
In response to #8, the United States of American Constitution only applies to citizens of the U.S.A. In the Constitution, person == citizen, only!
QED
Nov 13th, 2009 at 10:32am
In response to #8, the United States of American Constitution only applies to citizens of the U.S.A. In the Constitution, person == citizen, only!
QED
Nov 14th, 2009 at 12:15am
In response to # 9/10...
The Constitution also protects undocumented people to a certain extent. If it didnt undocumented kids would not be guaranteed a public education (k-12)...plyler v. doe!!
Nov 15th, 2009 at 11:05am
I got one for #8.As a kid, I was out in the fields whenever I was needed, as tobacco was and still is a huge cash crop in this region. Matter of fact, this is where the best Dark Fired tobacco was grown. Now that I am grown and have to provide for myself, I am out in the heat, cold, snow and rain, every day all day. Down in a ditch, up on a roof, covered in dirt, sweat, blood, concrete, brick and block dust, insulation, saw dust and anything else associated with the aspects of construction. And believe me, the summers here are alot worse than out west. Not only is it hot, but extremely humid. A one two punch. I don't like the fact that illegal immigrants have swooped in and are doing the jobs alot of other people seem to not be interested in. Not only do they have it better as far as "rights" go, but their workmanship sucks. Just because you stand out in front of the Home Depot doesn't make you a Tradesman.
Nov 16th, 2009 at 2:49pm
Yes, anyone who is in the USofA has protection under the constitution and should. So lets enforce the laws of our great country that many have fought and died for, and send the illegal immagrants home to change their country to be like the USofA. don't come here as a criminal (and they are)and try to change our country. we like it the way it is and yes it would be better WITH OUT the ACLU.
Nov 16th, 2009 at 2:49pm
Yes, anyone who is in the USofA has protection under the constitution and should. So lets enforce the laws of our great country that many have fought and died for, and send the illegal immagrants home to change their country to be like the USofA. don't come here as a criminal (and they are)and try to change our country. we like it the way it is and yes it would be better WITH OUT the ACLU.
Nov 17th, 2009 at 12:13am
say yes to amnesty! I want amnesty for everyone! And anyone that steps foot on this country will be AUTOMATICALLY become a citizen! Hopefully all people will come to this country for free because that is what this country is about: Not a country of laws but a country of freedom!
Nov 17th, 2009 at 1:39am
in response to #11.
Its radicals like yourself that make conservatices oppose having an amnesty!!! only those who have been here for a set period of time should be able to get permanent residency.
the fourteenth amendment clearly defines citizenship and in case you didnt know you have to become a permanent resident before becoming a citizen.
Nov 17th, 2009 at 12:58pm
I wonder how the indians felt when the settlers took their land and brough many diseases that killed many of them.
Online areas are always a place for bigots to gather. The Constitution does protect everyone to include illegal aliens. It protects even us citizens from being unlawfully profiled by the police.
I just love the ignorance brought on by the bigots that haven't a clue about the entire picture and see it from the perspective of bigotry. You should all be ashamed of your behavior.
Nov 17th, 2009 at 1:08pm
In response to #12 you are clearly wrong Read it again. "nor shall any State deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws." It has nothing to do with citizenship. The Supreme Courts has ruled so. Can't you comprehend what it says? Obviously not.
Nov 17th, 2009 at 11:08pm
Good good! I want Amnesty to pass! That will be a very positive step towards liberalism! In fact, I always vouched for anyone that enters this country by any means necessary can become an instant citizen! Come my global citizens and reap the fruits of what this great nation has to give! To all people that are born here: Give up your xenophobic ways and give us your wealth! I will be encouraging everybody that I have known to go through Mexico or Canada to obtain their wealth from US citizens! I want no borders in both Mexico and Canada so people could move freely about without any worries of nation's laws. If history is a great indicator, before we even HAD any borders, people moved freely about in ANYWHERE!
Nov 17th, 2009 at 11:16pm
To bigots and xenophobes on this board, you have not even read the history of the plight of many immigrants that migrated here. In fact, this entitlement behavior that these types of people exhibit is sickening to my stomach. No one should be left in the cold just because they entered in other means besides obtaining a green card. I want as many people around the world to come to this great nation of what it has to offer. And people like post #12 has the audacity to be so selfish? Too narrow-minded to see what is ahead without ever thinking of the positives that these hard working immigrants have gave us? I won't mind if Obama passes an amnesty act for all of these troubled souls that live in constant fear of threats from people like post # 12. The more immigrants that come to this nation, the better it will be for them to offer their services to continue the great American experiment.
Nov 19th, 2009 at 1:12pm
In response to #16! I’m sure that #12 understands the plight of these immigrants but at the same time not all of them have shown to be these hard working individuals. You cant expect the government to just give citizenship away like nothing, there are prescribed procedures which must be followed. If you give away citizenship away it will not only lose is meaning but it will also lead to an invflux of immigration and these people wont just be friendly and hard working individuals, but people who have no allegiance to this nation what so ever. I know this may sound a little paranoid or whatnot, but they could possibly even be t errorists trying to get into our system. While I support an amnesty, I also believe that there should be regulations as to who can become a permanent resident.
In response to #14. You my friend are not paying attention to what #12 was talking about. He or she was not referring to who the 14th amendment/constitution protects but the naturalization process because the person before her or him wanted to have everyone come and automatically be a citizen without realzing that you do have to become a permanent citizen first
Nov 24th, 2009 at 12:38pm
You people are nuts! Especially in these times, all of the people who have lost their jobs, and there's those immigrants who are here illegally working and sending their money back home. 99% of those people who agree "they should get INSTANT citizenship" is probably an illegal themselves.
Nov 25th, 2009 at 12:51pm
To all of the gringos here who thinks that illegal immigrants are unable to work hard and honestly I have a few words of wisdom to say to you: look at your pitiful self in the mirrors. Why can't an illegal immigrant be granted the very same rights that past immigrants have enjoyed even with FAR lesser restrictions than today? Why is it that Americans are so hopelessly inept to feeling at least some compassion for their fellow beings just across the border? I do not mind having amnesty for EVERYONE that comes to this country every year! And to people who wanted to enforce immigration well, I want the opposite and wanted to lessen restrictions of immigration laws and even removing some parts of the immigration laws that were so outdated. Me and my people will work hard for changing the immigration laws to make it EASIER to enter this country and not enforce it!
Nov 30th, 2009 at 4:09am
Aren't we all immigrants? Did Squanto demand the correct paperwork of the Mayflower's passengers at Plymouth Rock?
Dec 2nd, 2009 at 5:50pm
I think that everyone should read the following article... http://www.aclu.org/immigrants-rights/immigration-myths-and-facts It is clear that there are huge fears that many Americans have regarding the immigration system, certainly exacerbated by the economic crisis our country is facing. However, one thing that all posters have failed to realize is that by far, undocumented immigrants create higher paying jobs for native born citizens, and over the course of their lifetime contribute far more in taxes than they use from government agencies. It is estimated that the average undocumented individual contributes $80,000 more to the US economy, specifically through taxes, than they consume. Furthermore, fears that they are criminals, the undocumented population, per capita, commit less than 1/5th of the crime in the US in relation to their native LEGAL counterparts. Think about it. They contribute more, take less, raise YOUR wages, give you better work, and don't commit as much crime.
Dec 10th, 2009 at 9:17pm
amen to luke's comment.
Dec 11th, 2009 at 1:11am
All you people that say "illegal immigrants are taking everybody's jobs",get real.Immigrants do the jobs that nobody wants to do or are too lazy to do.The most common jobs immigrants take when they arrive here are in sewing factories,cloth making factories,and in the fields.I've never heard of a Black or White person applying to pick strawberries. Immigrants do the jobs that nobody wants.If immigrants didn't sew clothes or pick fruits, who would?I know white people wouldn't and i know for a fact Black people wouldn't either.For the most part,illegal immigrants come to the U.S to provide for their families back in their native country's.At least that's what my father did.He worked in a sewing factory for almost a decade to provide for our family.So stop saying that we take your jobs because everybody knows Whites and Blacks will not stand at a freeway exit for 10 hours in the hot sun trying to sell oranges for 6 dollars a bag.And by the way,not all immigrants are Mexicans.There are Salvadorian,Honduran,Guatemalan,Asian,Irish,and British immigrants.
Dec 11th, 2009 at 10:59am
Let's say I break into your house A woman wrote the best 'Letter to the Editor' in ages!! She cuts to the quick and explains things better than all the baloney you hear on TV. Her letter said: Recently, large demonstrations have taken place across the country protesting the fact that parliament is finally addressing the issue of illegal immigration. Certain people are angry that Canada might actually want to protect its own borders, might make it harder to sneak into this country and, once here, make it harder (as an illegal immigrant) to stay indefinitely. Let me see if I correctly understand the thinking behind these protests. Let's say I break into your house. Then, when you discover me in your house, you insist that I leave. But I say, 'I've made all the beds and washed the dishes and done the laundry and swept the floors; I've done all the things you don't like to do. I'm hard-working and honest (except for when I broke into your house). According to the protesters, not only must you let me stay, you must add me to your family's insurance plan, educate my kids, and provide other benefits to me and to my family (my husband will do your yard work) because he too is hard-working and honest, except for that breaking-in part. If you try to call the police or force me out, I will call my friends who will picket your house carrying signs that proclaim my legal right to be there. It's only fair, after all, because you have a nicer house than I do, and I'm just trying to better myself. I'm hard-working and honest, um, except for well, you know. And what a deal it is for me!! I live in your house, contributing only a fraction of the cost of my keep, and there is nothing you can do about it without being accused of selfishness, prejudice and being an anti-housebreaker. Oh yeah, and I want you to learn my language so you can communicate with me! English is too hard for me to learn. You should also allow me to vote - in my own language, since I live in your house! Why can't people see how ridiculous this is?