Technology
Linearity and Equity: Addressing Illegal Immigration Through a Fair Process
Linearity and Equity: Addressing Illegal Immigration Through a Fair Process
Is it fair for illegal immigrants to cut ahead of the queue while legal immigrants are patiently waiting for entry into the United States?
Understanding the Current Queue
The idea of placing every illegal immigrant at the back of the queue, behind all legal immigrants with pending petitions, raises valid questions about fairness and equity in immigration reform. Currently, individuals who entered the country lawfully and have legal petitions with USCIS are already enduring long waits, sometimes several years long. It would indeed be unjust to bypass these law-abiding individuals.
Consequences of Bypassing the Queue
The delay in processing for these legal petitioners is not merely a matter of a few months. Many have been waiting years, and the thought of losing their place in line because of those who seek to bypass the system can be frustrating and unfair. In this scenario, illegal immigrants would still be eligible to stay during their background check and could then continue the process of obtaining employment authorization and biometrics. The total time required might take up to 15 years, as they would need to complete these steps repeatedly and wait for the backlog of legal immigrants to clear.
Equitable Treatment for All
It is essential to recognize that illegal immigrants would not bypass the system in a special queue; rather, they would face the same strict procedures and requirements as legal immigrants. Common challenges such as lost biometrics, expired documents, and comprehensively resubmitting forms are all conditions faced by both.
Similarities in Legal Immigration Challenges
Biometric re-submission: Just as legal immigrants have experienced, illegal immigrants would have to go through biometric re-submission processes if forms get lost or if valid documents expire. Renewal of employment authorization: Both legal and illegal immigrants are required to renew their employment authorization periodically. This process would remain the same for all involved. Document validity: If any documents or forms expire due to the passage of time, both groups would need to resubmit them. This is a shared responsibility.These procedural steps reflect the reality of the immigration process, which applies to all immigrants without exception. The purpose of these processes is not to punish those who entered illegally but to ensure the integrity and fairness of the system.
Advocating for Silence and Gratitude
Given the substantial difficulties faced by immigrants, whether legal or illegal, those in the latter category would benefit greatly from maintaining silence and expressing gratitude for the opportunity to participate in a queue they rightfully should not have enter in the first place. Acknowledging this fact and demonstrating graciousness in the face of these challenges can pave the way for a more unified and cooperative approach to immigration reform.
In conclusion, placing illegal immigrants in a queue at the back of the line maintains the integrity of the immigration process and ensures a fair treatment for all individuals seeking to enter the United States legally. Let us continue to advocate for a system that respects and prioritizes the law-abiding behavior of immigrants, both those who have entered the country with valid documents and those who have taken a different path.