Thread: Immigration process is costly, complicated

Opinion

Immigration process is costly, complicated

Updated 5h 9m ago

Our granddaughter participated in a mission trip through our church to Senegal. She met a wonderful young man from Senegal. They fell in love and tried to figure out how they could be together. It's four years later; he is here, and they are married.

PHOTO GALLERY: In readers' own words, stories of immigration from Iraq, China and Italy. For all three, click on the albums tab within the gallery.

You could say they are living happily ever after, and in a way they are. However, the cost of his immigration (lawyers, fees, etc.) is well over $10,000. Our new grandson speaks five languages, including fluent English. However, the forms were so complicated, he could not have completed them on his own. In addition, her parents were required to commit to supporting him for 10 years.

My question is one I have not heard discussed. How much would it cost for a person to immigrate legally to the USA from Mexico? If the process is anything like the one our family has been through, I can understand why people come illegally.

Isn't there a compromise position? Can we not provide amnesty for those currently in the U.S. and a reasonable way for others to get through the process?

Nancy L. Anderson; Waukesha, Wis.
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Abide by our rules

My father came to the USA in 1923 from Aachen, Germany; my mother came in 1926 from Meiningen, Germany. I remember well my father talking about arriving in New York City with $5 in his pocket. But, most important, he had a place to stay and a sponsor.

My parents both worked for a doctor in New York, my father as a chauffer and my mother as a house helper. They knew the importance of learning English for their survival and learned it quickly. My parents came to America for a better life but knew they would face extreme hardships in doing so. They did not expect handouts. You worked for what you needed or did without.

On any American national holiday, my father proudly flew the U.S. flag. Even after a stroke that left him unable to speak and made it difficult for him to walk, he would stand for the national anthem with his hand over his heart. He felt nothing but pride to be an American.

I welcome anyone from any country as long as he or she abides by our rules. Immigrate legally. Learn our language. Have a sponsor. Respect America.

Sandi Ashton; Camp Verde, Ariz.

http://www.usatoday.com/news/opinion/le ... _ST1_N.htm

I agree with the second part, do it legally, not illegally, you will never respect our country more than if this nation makes you work hard for the privelage of being here. No we will not make it easy to come here, no amnesty, then it is expected by every person from every poor nation and we simply cannot afford to do this, we would be flooded and our "ship" would sink, in fact, we are almost there now.