I mean, YOU came here legally. Why the hell can't some 5 year old take the test and become a citizen the RIGHT way?...
... BTW Slobodan, how is it YOU are in this country? Are you a citizen? Did you or your parents come to America to reach for the American Dream?
James, unless I misunderstood your point, it seems that you are saying that becoming a citizen here is just a matter of passing the citizenship test?
It took me 12 years to become a citizen.
But first, a prequel:
Before coming here, I spent four years in Spain (Barcelona). During that time, we met several acquaintances that came as tourists and overstayed their visas, becoming illegals. In those four years, there were THREE rounds of amnesties for illegals. All our acquaintances became legal residents. I couldn't. Why? Because I was legally there and therefore couldn't apply. Do you have any idea how that makes a law-abiding citizen feel? That all those breaking the law were ultimately rewarded for it (three times), while I had to leave?
12 Years
It took me 12 years, though it might have taken 15-16. I was on a fast track because I already had an advance degree from an American university (a legal requirement).
Before coming here on an H1b visa, I had to wait in Spain one whole year for the process to take its course. That's one year of my life I'll never get back. Was I allowed to temporarily come to the States during that year, to perhaps get to know where I am going to work and live, where to buy a house, where my kid is going to go to school? No. In that year, the company that was hiring me had to take photos of their offices, showing people working in there, present a dozen of client contracts, tax returns, etc. Let's not mention the lawyer fees for all that time.
Then six years in the H1b status. During that time I was paid what the government said was a typical pay for an American worker doing the same type of job. So, no, it is not because I, as a foreigner, was willing to work for less than an American, the company was just following the rules set by the government.
During those six years, I couldn't travel out of the country (i.e., without obtaining a return authorization letter in advance from the authorities). I was the best man on my friend's wedding in Aruba (a Dutch territory), got that letter belatedly and missed the wedding. I couldn't even cross to the Canadian side of the Niagara Falls, which is said to be nicer than the dilapidated American one. If someone in my family got sick or died back home, I would not be able to visit them or attend their funeral, as those return-authorization letters take ages to obtain.
Drivers License: My then-wife was in an L1-visa status (family member). She was rear-ended in a car accident by another guy. Yet, we paid $275 fine plus lawyer's $200 fee. Why? Because, although in the country legally, she couldn't get a drivers license. I argued, in front of the judge, how is a stay-at-home mom, with a young child, going to live in a suburb, where the nearest supermarket, doctor, etc. is several miles away, without being able to drive a car? Judges answer: "I do not care. I follow the law." Had she been illegal, however... there would be a red-carpet welcome for her at the DMV.
College Tuition: my daughter (American citizen) considered an out-of-state college, where the tuition is usually double that for in-state students. Had she been an illegal, however, her tuition would equal the in-state one.
Do you see a pattern there and why law-abiding citizens are pissed off with Democrats showering privileges on illegals?
Then the green card, in the year five to six. As I said, I got it within a year, though it typically takes 4-5 years.
Then five years after the green card, one qualifies to apply for the citizenship.
So, do I think it is cruel to send Dreamers out and have them wait one year for re-entry (if they qualify)? No, I don't, as I did the same. I was already in the States (again, legally), getting a degree from the University of Chicago, but had to go back to Spain and wait a year to re-enter.
