Fourth of July - The Road To U.S. Citizenship

I don't think there are many people who simply want to restrict all immigration into this country. Most of us understand that this is a nation of immigrants and we welcome those from other lands who want to becomes citizens of this great nation of ours. Many people dream of becoming Americans and securing for their children the freedom and opportunities that they do not have in their native lands.

The road to becoming a naturalized American citizen can be daunting for someone who is not familiar with our culture and does not understand our language. But we welcome those who have this desire for citizenship. We welcome them all as long as they understand and obey the laws of our land.

The Apostle Paul was a Roman citizen. In Acts 22:24 a Roman officer orders him beaten (scourged) and nearly soils himself when he finds out that Paul is a Roman citizen.

Ac 22:24 the chief captain commanded him be brought into the castle, bidding that he should be examined by scourging, that he might know for what cause they so shouted against him.

25 And when they had tied him up with the thongs, Paul said unto the centurion that stood by, Is it lawful for you to scourge a man that is a Roman, and uncondemned?

26 And when the centurion heard it, he went to the chief captain and told him, saying, What art thou about to do? for this man is a Roman.

27 And the chief captain came and said unto him, Tell me, art thou a Roman? And he said, Yea.

28 And the chief captain answered, With a great sum obtained I this citizenship. And Paul said, But I am a Roman born.

29 They then that were about to examine him straightway departed from him: and the chief captain also was afraid when he knew that he was a Roman, and because he had bound him.

The Captain was afraid; and he had not beaten him, merely tied Paul up. To be a Roman Citizen bestowed certain rights and privileges that non-citizens did not have. The Roman soldiers knew this and were afraid. Some of them undoubtedly were not citizens..

To be a U.S. citizen confers many rights and privileges that a non-U.S. citizen is NOT SUPPOSED TO HAVE. This is the rub. People pour across our borders and demand the same privilege's that citizens have. Our pandering politicians give them these privileges and expect the American public to accept this sorry state of affairs.

You want to be a U.S. citizen? You want to obey our laws and love this country as your own? Then God bless you my friend.

The following is a list of qualifications for citizenship. What really pisses me off is item #3 below. The recent immigration bill that was shot down directly violates this stipulation.

From the Post Standard:

To be eligible, the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services department requires that candidates:
1) Be at least 18 years of age.
2) Have been lawfully admitted as a permanent resident (with a green card) for at least five continuous years.
3) Have no criminal record.
4) Can read, write and speak simple phrases in English.
5) Understand and know U.S. history and government.
6) Have good moral character.

The definition of bad moral character includes a conviction of one or more vile crimes, polygamy, prostitution, habitual drunkenness, income earned from illegal gambling, failure to support dependents and conviction of any controlled substance law, except for a single offense of possession of 30 grams or less of marijuana.) Candidates must then fill out a 10-page application with submitted photos and pay a $400 fee, which will increase to $675 on July 30.

The person applying for citizenship must then pass a 96 question test. Here is a sample of twenty of them:

1. When was the Declaration of Independence adopted? (Answer needs to include month, day and year)
2. What were the original 13 states?
3. How many voting members are in the House of Representatives?
4. Who becomes President if both the President and Vice President die?
5. Who was the main writer of the Declaration of Independence?
6. What group has the power to declare war?
7. Name the amendments that guarantee or address voting rights.
8. What is the most important right granted to United States citizens?
9. Name one of the purposes of the United Nations?
10. Who is the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court?
11. What kind of government does the United States have?
12. What is the introduction to the Constitution called?
13. How many changes, or amendments, are there to the Constitution?
14. Who helped the Pilgrims in America?
15. What U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services form is used to apply for naturalized citizenship?
16. How many Supreme Court Justices are there?
17. What did the Emancipation Proclamation do?
18. What special group advises the President?
19. What do the stripes on the flag represent?
20. How many times may a Senator or Congressman be re-elected?

I'll post the answers tomorrow.