By C.N. Le
In my first post, I would like to discuss an issue in which I have both an academic and a personal interest: the question of who qualifies to be an "American." The question is of particular interest to me because I am a Vietnamese refugee. I came to the U.S. at the age of five and since then have traveled down the winding road of assimilation, ethnic identity, and social segregation.
A recent article in the Christian
Science Monitor caught my attention. In many locales around the country, there is a small but growing movement to extend the right to vote to non-citizen immigrants. Of course, one of the basic benefits of being a U.S. citizen is the privilege of being able to vote in elections. Perhaps not surprisingly, these proposals have evoked strong opinions on both sides.
Supporters argue that non-citizens are long-term residents who care about the same kinds of local issues that all citizens do: good schools, safe streets, reliable trash collection. Many pay taxes. Some are US military veterans. "They’re living there, they have their kids in school, they’re working, they’re contributing to the local economy," says Kathleen Coll, a cultural anthropologist at Stanford University in Palo Alto, Calif. "They’re full, complete local citizens [who are] affected by local policies."
Some advocates want to limit voting rights to legal immigrants who intend to become citizens but haven’t completed the process. Because naturalization takes on average eight years, the Migration Policy Institute reports, parents could see their 10-year-old graduate from high school before they have a say in the public school system.
But enfranchising non-citizens would unfairly dilute the strength of citizens’ votes, says one critic, Steve Cameron, director of research at the Washington-based Center for Immigration Studies. For opponents, the practice is just another step in accommodating unnecessary –and sometimes unlawful — immigrants.
The debate around the merits of immigration — legal and illegal– is still raging in this country. As I’ve posted on several times on my personal blog, I strongly support the rights of both legal and illegal immigrants. Academic research has shown quite convincingly that legal immigrants contribute significant benefits to American society, culture, and economy.
When it comes to measuring the societal impact of illegal immigrants, the data is more of a mixed bag. While valid empirical evidence exists on both sides, the prevailing academic consensus is that taken as a whole, the presence of illegal immigrants results in more benefits than costs for American society. However, there are two very important caveats.
First, such benefits are most evident at the national level. However, states such as California, Texas, and Arizona, as well as large cities that contain the largest numbers of illegal immigrants usually have to bear a disproportionate share of the significant costs involved with illegal immigration (costs that include.social services, medical care, and education). The second caveat is that illegal immigrants may also have a slight negative effect on the wages of low-skilled workers, as they are generally willing to work for less money than native-born Americans will.
Nonetheless, taken as a whole, the bulk of the sociological and economic research argues that illegal immigration produces more benefits to American society than costs. The overwhelmingly positive impact of legal immigrants forms the basis for my strong support for the economic, legal, and voting rights of immigrants.
As the Christian Science Monitor article argues, the most important factor in deciding who gets to vote should be whether a person contributes to the cultural, political, and economic strength of the country, not whether a person happens to have been born inside the U.S. If someone who avoids paying taxes, has no sense of civic duty, and engages in criminal activity, but happens to be born in the U.S. has a right to vote, shouldn’t a non-citizen legal immigrant who pays taxes, obeys the law, and is actively involved in his or her community have that right?
To paraphrase the great Martin Luther King, Jr., what should matter is not the country in which you were born, but your deeds and actions while living in that country.
Allowing non-citizens to vote is more benefit than cost althought it would add some costs for larger states. The writer also believe that non-citizens’ voting may de-strengthen the cicitzens vote, but just like us, most want a better life and should be allowed to vote. I agree with the writer that they should be allowed to vote because they should have a say on their life and living situation.
I believe if a person is contributing in everyway in that particular society. He or she should have the same rights as everyone eles. That includes paying taxes. Whether they’re born in this country or not. Only if they are here legally. If they just sneak over the boarder than I don’t think they should have the same rights.
I believe that non Citizens shouldn’t be able to vote only because their not a US citizen, but if they where to become a US citizen then therefore i do believe they have a right to vote.
I don’t agree with letting vote, only because whatever the outcome may be it want affect them in the end.
In my opinion the cost of allowing non citizens to vote outweighs the benefit in some ways. It breaks down the laws of society. The right to vote is a right and to some extent should be earned. A person from another country who has been living in a country for their whole life should be a full citizen. On the other hand someone whos been living there for only 10 years and did earn thier right has a slight advantage in my opinion. I do agree with certain advocates limiting voting rights to legal immigrants who want to become citizens but haven’t completed the process. Because eight years is a bit tedious.
Illegal immigrants come into the United States every day. Giving some the right to vote over other would cause much controversy, yet for those who are actively going through the citizenship process and are involved in their community, i believe should have the right to vote. Many people would be upset if they gained the right, simply because it feels as if our “special pivledge” is being given to anyone. Most americans are selfish when it comes to this. We are a free country and yet we still treat people from other places like criminals or someone coming to take away what we have. If it wasnt for immigrants, this country wouldnt be the same. It would be a dead country that has no technological advancements. So why blame imigrants that help us? I believe ones that have put forth the effort to become a citizen and help in their community chouls have the right to vote.
Allowing non citzens to vote, could change whoever becomes president. They would have alot of power in the matter. When it comes to becoming a United States citizen, my best friend went through the steps and became one. Yes, it takes time and hard work, but it is worth it. She got to vote for her first time last election. She was proud of the fact that she became a United States citizen and got to vote. If I moved to another country I would not expect to have the right to vote in that country. I understand that non citizens pay taxes and work for lower wages (which is a not right). Voting is a freedom that citzens have. I am sorry, but I don’t think non citizens should vote. I understand that they are affected by who becomes President. If non citizens got to vote, citzens would be no different from non citzens when it comes to electing someone. It is our freedom as citizens to vote.
I strongly agree with the Christian Science Monitor. I think that it depends on how much they are contributing to the country. If they are committing criminal acts, costing the country more, and has no sense of civic duty they should not be allowed to vote. But if they are contributing more to the country than its own citizens, they should be allowed to have a say in how everything is going.
in my personal opinion illgal immagrants should not be allowed to vote, im not saying they should be denied the same basic human rights that all other americanized or american born citizens have, but if they care enough about local statewide and national politics to go through the tedious ordeal of voting, then why wouldnt they complete the neccesary proccess of becoming an actual citizen?
There are benefits and costs when it comes to allowing non-citizens to vote. The author argues that the benefits of non-citizens voting overwhelmingly outweigh the costs. He states that since they are contributing to the cultural, political, and economic strength of the country, they should be able to contribute to the voting process and electing who runs our country. I think it is a privilege to have the right to vote and I think that if immigrants want the right, they should have to earn it. They should go through the required process to become a citizen, and only then should they earn that privilege.
I went into this article with and open mind and i got alot of insight. My step dad is a legal immigrant and it has never even came across my mind that he doesn’t have the right to vote. He pays taxes, obeys the laws and is concerned about our society but doesn’t get to vocie his opinions. Most people don’t realize the process it takes to become and US citizen, He has been working on it for over a year now, and in the meantime, I believe he should be able to be as active as he would like to be in this country. Now, on the other hand, the illegal immigrants don’t pay taxes and well frankly i am sure they could care less. they are trying to avoid deportation
Having the right to vote is much more than a right, its a privilege. If americans allowed this to happen then the incentive for immigrants to apply for citizenship would disappear. The identity of America would slowly deteriorate, cause there would be no reason for people to know the history of this country.
It can boost our groups in society by adding more people and it can allow the polls to be fair. Because an immigrant is unbiased to older issues and running parties they can educate themselves on this and give a true vote from an unbiased standpoint.By not allowing a non citizen to vote they would be living in this country dealing with gun violence, abortion, healthcare and equal rights but not have a say in any of it.
The author is definitely coming from an immigrant standpoint but I wonder has he took the time to envision what it would be like on the other side of the issue. Maybe there are more benefits than costs but the author has yet to mention them.
I think non citizens should have the right to vote.
In my opinion legal immigrants should have the right to vote since they are tax paying citizens,and they should have a voice in the way their tax dollars are being spent.However if you are illegally in the country then i believe you shouldn’t have the right to vote. Because if you are here illegally here than you are breaking the law.I believe the U.S. is the land of the free and home of the braves as long as you follow the proper guidelines to become a citizen.
I think that while illegal immigrants do contribute a great deal to our country, our current system should not entirely be changed. If we give people who are not even citizens of this nation the right to vote then that makes the whole naturalization process meaningless. I do think that immigrants to this country should only have to wait four years to become citizens instead of eight. Too many future citizens have a silent voice for many years on critical issues because of that law. So I believe that the limit on years before living in the U.S. before becoming a citizen should be greatly be reduced.
Honestly I believe that non-citizens should not be able to vote, I feel that they shuldn’t be able to vote until they become U.S citizens.
Honestly I believe that non-citizens should not be able to vote until they officially become a U.S citizen.
i believe that hard working non-citizens should have the right after a probationary period.
i believe that hard working non-citizens should have the right after a probationary period.
sorry forgot to put my last name
im here
I feel that if you are a citizen then u have the right the vote if u are a non citizen and u are contributing to the economomy, paying taxes, and obeying the law just like good us citizens u should have that right to vote to.
I believe allowing non-citizens to vote could affect the economy tremendously. If a person pays taxes, goes to school or other things they should have a say in what happens. I mean, do I agree in allowing illegals here, not really but i also know first hand how hard it is to get legal in this country. If people actually listened to what non-citizens have to say, it might actually help.
The right to vote in the United States of America is strictly only the right for citizens of this great country. If someone who isn’t a citizen feel they deserve this right, then they should become a citizen. There are processes to do this and they should follow those steps.
I think that illegal immigrants should not have the right to vote. While many immigrate to the United States for a better life, and that is not so much a problem, but for immigrants to come here and we have to pay expenses, and taxes to the government to help them, many if not most do not become legal here. There are ways to become a legal citizen and I feel is should be legal citizens to have a vote in what happens in our country.
If your not a citizen you should not be allowed to vote. Why should they be able to vote when they are not a citizen. If they want to vote they need to became a citizen so that they can vote.
Although I feel that only citizens should vote, I also feel that the process that makes becoming a citizen possible, is a very lengthy process. I feel that non-citizens who are in the process of becoming citizens should have the power to vote. Even if it takes them years to become citizens, if they are working here and earning their way, they should be allowed the same say in what goes on in their surroundings, just like normal citizens.
I do not beleive that non-citizens should be allowed to vote. We as americans take pride in this country and rights that we are granted. If we allow non-citizens to have our rights “just because” that seems to take some pride away.
Giving illegal immigrants the right to vote is something that the founding fathers of the nation would not approve of. Voting in this country should be meant for the true U.S. citizens. If immigrants want the right to vote they should do the necessary steps in order to gain citezenship. You dont see me going to Mexico on vacation and while im there casting my vote for their next president. I dont expect to get to vote in any other country because I am not a citizen of that country.
I strongly support the right of both and legal and illegal immigrants. I feel like the imigrants have the right to vote just as well as citizens. They need to follow the right way of doing.
I think illegal people should not have the right to vote, or non-citizens. I do think that people that have been to prison should get a chance. voting plays a major role in our lives so it should be taken very serious.
I understand where the author is coming from saying the legal immigrants contribute by paying taxes and obeying the law etc. more than some of the US citizens. Although I understand I am in agreeance with the arguement saying no, they should not. I think we should take care of home first. Lets fix our problems, then worry about legal immigrants.
I feel that non citizens should not be allowed to vote because they are not a part of us as a nation. We all vote as citizens; they are not a part of us unless they take those steps. How bad do they want to be a citizen? Hmmm…
Non-citizens who are legal immigrants should be allowed to vote as long as they are planning on becoming citizens. Voting is a very important part of the democratic process in our country. It allows law abiding people of this country to have a say in politics. As long as a non citizen has started the process to become an American Citizen, they should be allowed to vote. By showing their devotion to become a citizen, the non-cit would demonstrate their understanding of the democratic process and the importance of elections. They would also be showing a commitment to be a long term resident, and not just be doing a “drive by vote”, where they reap short term benifits of a voting outcome but leave law abiding citizens of America with a mess to clean up years down the road.
I think that we should not allow non- citizens the right to vote. I think you must legally be aprt of whatever country you live in to have a say so. He would give a new and broader perspective on things but i still think you must at least be a citizen to vote. As an individual i do not want someone making putting in a vote for something when they might not know everything about it because they do not “legally” live for, which usually means they have not been here for a long period of time.
In my opinion non-citizens should be allowed to vote as long as they are following the same rules and paying the same taxes. If they break the law don’t they get punished the same? Upon being allowed to vote, they should have a certain amount of time to legally become citizens and if they don’t fulfill that requirement then they should be restricted to vote.
In my opinion, non American citizens should not have the right to vote because they are not citizens. Convicted felons lose their right to vote, why should it be fair for non citizens to vote when citizens have the ability to lose the right? Once a non citizen maintains citizenship then they should be able to gain the right, but like citizens have the right to lose the ability.
As long as non-citizens are paying the same taxes and following the same rules as citizens, they should be allowed vote. If they break a law, don’t they get punished the same? After being allowed to vote for the first time, they should then be reqired to become a citizen. If they do not fulfill that requirement then they should be restricted.
Non-citizens should be allowed to vote the same way that they are allowed to do anything else. As long as they abide by the laws they should have that choice. At least they take pride in doing so because there are many citizens who already have the right and could care less.
no i feel you should be a legal citizen to earn the right to vote in a free country
I do not believe that as an individual nor as an American in society, we should be able to tell another individual that they can’t vote. It’s not our place to judge anyone because of their ethnicity. I mean, my gosh, we cant even keep our own mess straight as American citizens then we go so far as to say hey, you haven’t been in our country for that long, so you dont know the history behind our freedom so we ALL agree that you cant vote. Well i dont. It’s not our world. It’s God’s. On top of that, our votes really dont count either the way our votes are being “thrown away, swept under the rug or just not counted.” Their are more things to worry about in life than voting. Whatever He unveals will be revealed. This information, basically an opinion is biased and discriminatory.
Ive reread this a second time and came to this conclusion: the last paragragh talks about American citizens engaging in criminal activity and having the right to vote. When did that law pass? Felons are not allowed to vote, so they are basically outlaws too. And plus, maybe money isnt an issue in another country. Of course in the US it is a big deal because everyone is trying to be better the next person. This is why immigrants work for less money i believe. Another positive factor is these people like to work aside of the normal citizens. How many days on average a year Do immigrants call in to work or complain about their job? How may days on average a year do citizens call in to work or complain about their job? Im guilty. Martin Luther King couldnt have said it better.
I also think that only citizens should be allowed to vote, but I also think that it shouldn’t take so long for an immigrant to become a citizen. Maybe, if the the maximum time for the naturalization process is 5 years, that would only be a short time period for the immigrant to become a citizen and be able to vote.
I believe that weather you choose to be for are against letting non-citizen votes the outcome will in most likely result in favor for advancement of the states. If we consider why individual become immigrant is for the betterment of self and their surroundings.
Overall, I don’t think immigrants should have the right to vote, but I also agree that if they pay taxes and support their community they should have the opportunity. I don’t think just because an immigrant may say that their intentions is to become an U.S. citizen should be considered a citizen.
My oppinion is that only US citizens should have the right to vote. Although non-citizens may understand the politics of our nation, they are not part of our nation. I believe that if you are not of this nation you should not have the opportunity to vote in the communities.
I found this article to be very intresting. Iam an American citizen and Iam able to vote. However upon reading what was said by Mr. Lee I believe that if there are pepole out there that are living here and raising ther families here then maybe that they should be allowed to vote.
I do not feel that non citizens should be allowed to vote on any thing in regards to our country, for the simple fact are we allowed to go over to there country and vote as to what would effect them and there familys no so for this i say not they should not be.
I feel that everyone should be able to vote regardless of where they are from and long as they are abiding by the laws,paying their taxes, and does everything a righteous citizen does they should have all rights.
I feel that unless you are willing to go through the entire naturalization process, no matter how long it takes, you should not be allowed to vote. Too many people before us have laid their lives on the line for the rights we have as citizens. Also, I feel that even if you are a citizen and do not pay taxes you should not have the right to vote. People who aren’t taxpayers do not have anything invested and are voting purely on what they feel the government can do for them. We should all vote based on what we think is best for the future of America. Some illegal immigrants don’t care one way or another. They’re here to take advantage of the good things in America for a short time before returning to their native country. That’s just wrong
I do not think that you should be able to vote if you are not a citizen. Although we may feel the same about a lot of issues that may be for the greater of the U.S., You should be a complete citizen of the states to be able to voice that opinion.
One of the things that the author argues about is deciding wether a person who gets to vote should be one who contributes to the cultral,political and economic strenght of the country, not whether a person happens to have been born inside the U.S.
I personally think that anyone should be able to vote no matter where they are from.People should be entitle to vote no matter as long as they are paying their taxes, abiding by the laws, and being a good citizen.We are still equal as people in this world.