[ingelein]

There should be road markers along the path to citizenship, I think it is imperative that they learn the language and pass an English exam.

Better attempts at assimilation, drop the demands for bilingual classes. My brother and sister did not speak a word of English when we came to America, they were in 1st grade and kindergarten, they learned English and FAST, they helped the rest of the family learn English too.

I think some folks are put off by the groups that fly the Mexican flag above the US flag, its wrong to accept the benefits your adopted country gives, but not be willing to be a full citizen and American first.My family considers themselves to be American of German heritage.

I do think this is their home if they have lived and worked here for over 10 years and have children born here who are American citizens by birth right.It is not feasible to deport millions of people.

[mercyteapot]

Originally Posted by ingelein

There should be road markers along the path to citizenship, I think it is imperative that they learn the language and pass an English exam.

Better attempts at assimilation, drop the demands for bilingual classes. My brother and sister did not speak a word of English when we came to America, they were in 1st grade and kindergarten, they learned English and FAST, they helped the rest of the family learn English too.

I think some folks are put off by the groups that fly the Mexican flag above the US flag, its wrong to accept the benefits your adopted country gives, but not be willing to be a full citizen and American first.My family considers themselves to be American of German heritage.

I do think this is their home if they have lived and worked here for over 10 years and have children born here who are American citizens by birth right.It is not feasible to deport millions of people.

I still maintain that home is defined by the occupant. I just don't think legality enters into the definition of that concept.

[VivaLasViejas]

And what I say is, being in a country illegally doesn't make it one's home any more than sitting in a henhouse makes one a chicken.

Okay, NOW I'm done.

[MBANurse]

Originally Posted by HeyJude

ETA - MBANurse, it actually WAS because he didn't have a car. Just to put the subject to a well-deserved rest.

Ok... sorry then.
He definately should have been sent back to mexico then... post haste

[MBANurse]

Originally Posted by mercyteapot

Since when isn't the place you live your home? Has the definition of that word changed?

Well lets see places that I have "lived" for over a year that would never be called "home".

Korea, Iraq, Kuwait

Places that I have "lived" for at least a month that would never be called home.

Panama, Scotland, Texas, Georgia, Tennessee... or anyplace that I will be temporarily for whatever time period before I return to where "home" is.

[HeyJude]

I have a question. I'm just throwing it out there.
Do you think Native Americans ever sat around having this exact same discussion about the invading hordes of colonists?
People who:
- for the most part, forced their language(s) on the Native Americans, not vice versa;
- did not stay in their countries of origin to try and better their situations;
- did not ask permission of the peoples already living here before taking over their land, their possessions, and their wives
- spread all kinds of diseases; and
- planted their flag anywhere they darn well pleased - "claiming the land for England (or Spain, or France, or...)

I'm not saying we here are to blame for their actions. Just pointing out that these are not new problems, and that 'they' eventually become 'us.'

[MBANurse]

Actually... Native Americans fought back to the best of their ability. There was a whole series of Indian Wars from Colonization to Ante-Bellum Civil War. The european settlers often had tried to make things better in their own countries only to be tossed out. THey also had technology and weapons that allowed them to beat the Natives here.

SO just throwing this out there...
Should we take the same approach that Native Americans did? Wage war against the invaders?

[mercyteapot]

Originally Posted by MBANurse

Well lets see places that I have "lived" for over a year that would never be called "home".

Korea, Iraq, Kuwait

Places that I have "lived" for at least a month that would never be called home.

Panama, Scotland, Texas, Georgia, Tennessee... or anyplace that I will be temporarily for whatever time period before I return to where "home" is.

Once again, you twist my words. I said that the occupant defines their home. If you didn't consider Korea your home, then fine. Perhaps that was because you weren't planning to live there indefinitely.

As much as some of you would like to manipulate the meaning of the word, you don't get to assign the notion of "home" to anyone other than yourselves. You don't want this to be their home. That's not the same as it not being so.

[ingelein]

Originally Posted by HeyJude

I have a question. I'm just throwing it out there.
Do you think Native Americans ever sat around having this exact same discussion about the invading hordes of colonists?
People who:
- for the most part, forced their language(s) on the Native Americans, not vice versa;
- did not stay in their countries of origin to try and better their situations;
- did not ask permission of the peoples already living here before taking over their land, their possessions, and their wives
- spread all kinds of diseases; and
- planted their flag anywhere they darn well pleased - "claiming the land for England (or Spain, or France, or...)

I'm not saying we here are to blame for their actions. Just pointing out that these are not new problems, and that 'they' eventually become 'us.'

My family came here because they were ethnically CLEANSED out of their own country after WW2.Many Mexicans come here because they are looking for a better life for their families, I dont begrudge them that. It is a human trait to leave an area that was not conducive to survival to seek another place that is. I think that to require immigrants to pass an English exam as a step to citizenship is not asking too much, if one wants to be welcome in the country that opened its arms to you, that is the least you can do is learn the language of the country.

I think the Native Americans probably felt the European settlers were wrong to continue to speak their native tongue, I bet they would have been happier with Europeans if they had adopted some of their Native American culture, I bet the Native Americans felt that the Europeans were taking over their country, maybe this explains how American citizens feel about immigrants who have no desire to assimilate or learn the language.

I say welcome to America, this country is big enough for all of us.

[MBANurse]

Originally Posted by mercyteapot

Once again, you twist my words. I said that the occupant defines their home. If you didn't consider Korea your home, then fine. Perhaps that was because you weren't planning to live there indefinitely.

As much as some of you would like to manipulate the meaning of the word, you don't get to assign the notion of "home" to anyone other than yourselves. You don't want this to be their home. That's not the same as it not being so.

sigh...

you stated exact quotes here...

"As for them going "home", if this is where they live, then this is their home, legal or not."

"since when is the place you live not home"

you added "user defined" later on.

but we digress... lets get back to the poor children shan't we?