They can't Vote! They're just IMMIGRANTS!

Wow...,

 - Here's an issue I wasn't expecting to see crop up: Immigrants and the Right to Vote? Alright, America...pull up a chair, sit back and pour yourself a cup o' joe. We're going to look into the actually priviledges and rights - of immigrants who are going through the naturalization process (as opposed to those who don't and, by default, SHOULD be deported...). The United States Citizen and Immigration Services herefore referred to by it's officially recognized acronym -  USCIS, used to be the United States Department of Immigration and Naturalization Services (...or INS, for short). This bureau was filtered out of the Department of Justice and merged with the newly formed Department of Homeland Security shortly after 9/11. An interesting shift of political application regarding Immigrants seeking to becoming an official United States citizen...it's no longer a matter of 'social justice', it's a matter of 'homeland security'? I could go into that...but I digress, at any rate - the USCIS Handbook says THIS regarding what's expected and what an Immigrant who's seeking naturalization can and cannot do:

 

As a permanent resident, you have the right to:

• Live and work permanently anywhere in the U.S.

• Apply to become a U.S. citizen once you are eligible.

• Request visas for your husband or wife and unmarried children to live in the U.S.

• Get Social Security, Supplemental Security Income, and Medicare benefits, if you are eligible.

• Own property in the U.S.

• Apply for a driver’s license in your state or territory.

• Leave and return to the U.S. under certain conditions.

• Attend public school and college.

• Join certain branches of the U.S. Armed Forces.

• Purchase or own a firearm, as long as there are no state or local restrictions saying you can’t. As a permanent resident, it is your responsibility to:

• Obey all federal, state, and local laws.

• Pay federal, state, and local income taxes.

• Register with the Selective Service (U.S. Armed Forces), if you are a male between ages 18 and 26.

• Maintain your immigration status.

• Carry proof of your permanent resident status at all times.

• Change your address online or provide it in writing to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) within 10 days of each time you move.

 - This is what's expected out of the immigrants that come to the United States without a Federal sponsored Visa - this is what it means to get a 'green card'. Can they vote? It doesn't say, right?...actually, it does...way in the back when it gives the reason to become a US citizen. The USCIS Hanndbook states:

Only citizens can vote in federal elections. Most states also restrict the right to vote, in most

elections, to U.S. citizens.

 - Hmm, that's kind of vague...perusing the NSCIS website, we come up with this:

One of the most important privileges of democracy in the United States of America is the right to participate in choosing elected officials through voting in elections. There are many different types of elections in the United States, such as federal elections, state elections or local elections. Only U.S. citizens can vote in federal elections. Registering to vote or voting in a federal election is a crime if you are not a U.S. citizen.  Non-U.S. citizens, including permanent residents (green card holders), who vote, or register to vote, in a federal election also can be denied naturalization and/or removed (deported) from the United States.

There are very few jurisdictions where a non-U.S. citizen may vote in a local election.  However, this web site does not provide information regarding voting qualifications for state and local elections.  You can obtain information regarding voting qualifications in local elections from your local voting authority.  It is important to remember that even if you are allowed to vote in a local election, you are not eligible to vote in a federal election if you are not a U.S. citizen, nor in any other election that requires you to be a U.S. citizen.

 - Wow, that's really wordy and says...ummm...well, it says they can't vote for FEDERAL elections (such as voting for the President, just like in the handbook), but State and Local elections are kinda...iffy. It seems to be that it's up to the State to decide soooo depending on how much say YOU want in State and Local legislatures - there's your State of choice. They say you'll have to find out for yourself, but I suppose I'll do my civic duty as a citzen of the United States and provide at least SOME information (after all, without providing any information at all - immigrants are going to be wandering all over the United States). In California, immigrants are provided the right the vote for all State and Local matters (wow!), other States like Arizona and Texas...you're 'green card' doesn't prove anything significant and you have NO voting priviledges what-so-ever (...not even Local elections, just like ILLEGAL immigrants, but they'll be thanking you in advance for you tax money, I guess, by NOT deporting you...yet - groovy, neh?).
 - Anyone else seeing something REALLY wrong with this picture?...I mean (don't get me wrong), but I'm kinda partial to providing equal treatment to ALL immigrants REGARDLESS of where they choose to reside in the United States. Sure, I agree that they shouldn't be handed over Our Nation on a platter, but since they already have the right to own property, pay taxes, attain a driver's liscense and social security cards...doesn't it kind of make sense that immigrants should have SOME say regarding how thier tax money is spent? We're not trying to encourage indentured servitude here...we're seeking to encourage people to:

1. Want to COME to America (because they got Rights here - especially the Right to Vote) and,
2. Want to STAY in America for the additional perks and benifits provided through citizenship.

 - So...what do you think, America? Are Immigrants who legally enter the United States worth a voice in Local and State affairs? After all, they're already supporting YOUR State with THIER tax dollars. If you think so, and your State doesn't currently allow immigrants the Right to Vote in State/Local matters maybe you ought to consider giving immigrants an incentive to move to your State by offering them the Right to Vote in said affairs. Population also equates to voting strength when it comes to your State's alloted Electoral Votes and even IF they throw out the Electoral College system (which they should)...larger population = more seats in the House of Representatives (which make a significant impact in Congress). This is a win-win situation here, America. Immigrants win by having a voice, States win by providing such Rights to immigrants increasing YOUR State's influence in Congress (not to mention the increase in tax revenue per resident in State). Treating your fellow human being LIKE a human being goes a long way and citizens of your State can do even better by ASSISTING immigrants into becoming Citizens! Help them learn English, U.S. History and Government, immigrants are not indentured servants and slavery's been abolished for almost 150 years - make a change, America...get involved.
 - Food for thought, America...let's turn an illegal immigrant problem into a permenant resident resolution, and then into a citizen solution. Like I said before, I'd rather have an Immigrant voting instead of an Illegal Immigrant working, but in all honesty...I'd rather have another fellow citizen of this Great Nation - The United States of America. Does YOUR State allow Immigrants to Vote?...and if not, should they?...what do you think, America?

The American Deist,
M.D. Little.