Should Illegal Immigrants have the same rights as U.S. citizens?

[scorptatious]

I'd like to hear what people here on the Escapist think about this issue.

Personally, I don't think they should. If you aren't going to make the effort to register yourself as a U.S. citizen, than you shouldn't even be in America. It isn't fair to actual U.S. citizens who were either born in America, or are immigrants who followed the rules and procedures to become U.S. citizens.

For those who support rights for illegals, I want to you to give logical reasons to why they should have the same rights. Because at the moment, I don't see why they should.

Edit: By rights I don't mean natural human rights. Everyone deserves that. I'm talking about rights you have as a citizen in the U.S.

 

[knhirt]

Which rights, in particular, are you talking about here?

You'll have to be more specific if you want to generate any real discussion, here.

 

[Irony's Acolyte]

Well they should be give basic human rights, yeah, but if you give them the same rights as US citizens, what's the point of citizenship?

 

[Rewdalf]

I am a US immigrant, and I had to go through the process of becoming a citizen.
I deserve my rights, so I don't agree to giving them to those who skip the necessary process...

I'm from Bulgaria if anyone is wondering, by the way...

 

[scorptatious]

Which rights, in particular, are you talking about here?

You'll have to be more specific if you want to generate any real discussion, here.

Basically rights you have as a U.S. citizen. Like voting, attending college, holding a job. That kind of stuff.

 

[2fish]

They deserve human rights but not the right to vote, ect. Illegal immigration is not seen as bad by everyone. Some people are making profit off of it, just like the war on drugs. If you ignore the process other people have gone through then I am mad at you because you skipped the system.

As most western countries seem to believe in individual rights why should those be based on country of origin? If they are really natural rights shouldn't everyone have them no matter what? Man made rights such as the right to vote can be restricted to citizens as they live in the country and follow the rules.

Remember you have no guaranteed rights, you have privileges after all your "rights" can be taken away therefore they are not true rights.

 

[knhirt]

This thread reminds me of something I found a few months ago.

Spoiler: Handy dandy illustration.

[http://imgur.com/4iPVK.jpg]

Admittedly, I'm not entirely sure how accurate this thing is, but I'm sure someone with a bit more knowledge on the subject could verify or debunk it for us.

 

[DLlama]

I don't like the idea of illegal immigrant having the same rights as a citizen, that just doesn't make any sense. But, if that chart is at least 90% accurate, then I guess immigration reform is needed. Either increasing the cap or speeding up the process probably would lower the amount of people crossing the border. But then again, this is the opinion of someone who doesn't vote or pays attention to politics.

 

[Sandernista]

I'd like to hear what people here on the Escapist think about this issue.

Personally, I don't think they should. If you aren't going to make the effort to register yourself as a U.S. citizen, than you shouldn't even be in America. It isn't fair to actual U.S. citizens who were either born in America, or are immigrants who followed the rules and procedures to become U.S. citizens.

For those who support rights for illegals, I want to you to give logical reasons to why they should have the same rights. Because at the moment, I don't see why they should.

Did you make the effort to become a US citizen?

Joking aside, I believe that illegal immigrants should not have the same rights as full citizens. And they don't.

 

[Bluntknife]

They are entitled to Human rights but other than that no.

Also that ship of Tamils that landed in British Columbia can fuck right off as well.

 

[CaptainKoala]

Every human has the right to food, water, and shelter. But no, they should not get the full rights of a US citizen because they aren't one. It doesn't matter what they're here for, they should be deported because they're here illegally.

 

[Dags90]

This thread reminds me of something I found a few months ago.

Spoiler: Handy dandy illustration.

[http://imgur.com/4iPVK.jpg]

Admittedly, I'm not entirely sure how accurate this thing is, but I'm sure someone with a bit more knowledge on the subject could verify or debunk it for us.

It's not that cut and dry, but getting citizenship in this country is an extremely long process that can often cost more than just time. I know someone who's partner has been trying to become a legal citizen for over five years. The OP's suggestion that you just "register yourself as a citizen" and are on your way after a minimum amount of effort is ridiculous.

Obviously illegal immigrants shouldn't be able to vote, and there's no "right to attend college" or "right to have a job".

All in all I have no idea what the OP is talking about.

 

[kickyourass]

As others have said, basic human rights should be guaranteed no matter what. But you should not have the rights of a citizen unless you actually are a citizen (Or fall under a special category, like a tourist. But I think that's a different discussion).

 

[VaderMan92]

no they are not citizens /thread

 

[Jake the Snake]

I don't think its right to demonize someone who just wants to come to America to support their families and look for work (As many jobs in Mexico have been destroyed, like farming, because of American industry and its outsourcing and undercutting and bullshit...gg home country)

On the other hand, they are breaking the law....but stil...

Idk isn't there some kind of compromise we can work out?

Oh but as far as rights go? They aren't citizens so...no, why would they get stuff like the right to vote?

 

[knhirt]

It's not that cut and dry, but getting citizenship in this country is an extremely long process that can often cost more than just time. I know someone who's partner has been trying to become a legal citizen for over five years. The OP's suggestion that you just "register yourself as a citizen" and are on your way after a minimum amount of effort is ridiculous.

Obviously illegal immigrants shouldn't be able to vote, and there's no "right to attend college" or "right to have a job".

All in all I have no idea what the OP is talking about.

Yeah, I thought that might be the case. I'm guessing that it's a fairly good approximation/general guideline, though.
I'd go into the topic of "rights" in general if my brain was functioning optimally, but since it's not, I'm going to sleep.
It'll be interesting to see if anything worthwhile has been posted here in the morning.

I sort of doubt it.

 

[Sneaky-Pie]

Of course not. They still possess the basic rights that every human is entitled to, but they should be allowed the rights of a US citizen.

 

[BlumiereBleck]

This belongs on politics threads. And no they shouldnt have the same rights