New York’s senators said Wednesday they plan to ask Congress to grant citizenship posthumously to victims of Friday’s shooting in Binghamton, N.Y.
Democratic Sens. Chuck Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand said that under legislation they are proposing, the honorary citizenship would be backdated so the victims would be considered citizens at the time of death.
There are millions and millions of immigrants working hard to make a life for themselves in this country. How about doing something useful and actually addressing our outdated immigration laws? I understand wanting to honor the shooting victims, but how about honoring their memory by enacting some real changes, instead of useless ceremony?
The proposal by Schumer and Gillibrand, in fact, seems to go out of its way to make sure absolutely nothing constructive comes out of it:
Because the citizenship would be honorary, family members seeking citizenship or visas would not be affected.
Senators Schumer and Gillibrand, if you don’t have anything useful to say, please don’t say anything at all.
I’m not sure either why this would disgust you Jeff. You didn’t report that the families of these victims indicated that they view this as “useless ceremony” or that they see the gesture of Schumer or Gillibrand as crass and political. It is their feelings that are most important at this point. Do you have good reason to second guess the motives of these senators?
Jeff,
About the bill, you are absolutely correct. This feel good bill is a waste of time and taxpayer dollars.
If by updating outdated laws you mean making the line-jumpers and budgers legal, I would disagree. If you mean shortening up the time, travel, and paperwork required, and and by strengthening the language requirements, and by eliminating the “anchor status” of just one family member, I am with you.
Weird. The gift of citizenship is huge. I think that’s a very precious gift. I wonder who is supposed to hear the message (other immigrants, or people trying to come to USA?). Or is this idea related to benefits? Or just to be kind?
Hmm, Vietnamese. I wonder what life is like there, now.
It’s horrible to come all this way for liberty/ freedoms, etc. and then not make it… I feel badly for the families.