Thread: TN: Immigration reform hits home with naturalized citizens

Immigration reform resonates with naturalized citizens

June 17, 2007

By MELISSA DiPANE
6 News Anchor/Reporter

KNOXVILLE (WATE) -- Immigration reform is a hot topic on Capitol Hill, and it hits home with naturalized citizens here in Knoxville.

Rev. John Stuart knows the process first hand. Rev. Stuart and his family are from Scotland and came to Knoxville in 1995.

They became naturalized citizens in 2002 by following the country's strict immigration guidelines.

"I'd been asked to be the pastor here at Erin Presbyterian Church in Knoxville. We came over and spent that last 12 years learning the American Way," Rev. Stuart says. "When you come here as an immigrant you've got to spend five years. Uphold the laws, pay your taxes and do all the things Americans citizens do. After five years you can then apply to become a naturalized citizen."

Stuart says the process is worth the wait and not something that should not be taken for granted.

"When you come from another country and start to experience the freedom of America you understand it's a priceless precious gift so you don't just give it away," he said..

With President Bush pushing an immigration reform bill, Rev. Stuart says the plan should be simple, stick to the legal process that has naturalized millions of immigrants since it's inception.

"The process works I believe anyone who wants to come to America and wants to stay here should follow the regulations that were put in place many many years ago," says Stuart.

To become a naturalized citizen you must be at least 18 years old, live in the United States for five years as a legal permanent resident, and you must successfully complete tests on the English language, civics and history.

Children under the age of 18 automatically acquire citizenship from their U.S. citizen parents

http://www.wate.com/Global/story.asp?S=6669991

But he's not from the "land of unreason"!