Tunnel from Mexico to California

Recently, the federal government found a 1,800 foot tunnel between San Diego and Tijuana, Mexico that was mostly used to smuggle drugs back and forth across the border but also used for getting illegal immigrants to California unnoticed. The Tunnel was 4 ft. by 3 ft. and big enough to crawl through. Over 30 tons of marijuana were found at the crime scene, apparently the work of a drug cartel. Here is a link to a video from the crime scene:

Massive drug tunnel found between Mexico and US

In my opinion, if immigration laws were less strict, Mexicans would not feel such pressure to illegally enter the country so that they can have a chance at the opportunity the United States has to offer. If the laws were made to help immigrants and not ostracize them, there would not be as many problems as there are today with stricter border control.

Info here:http://voices.washingtonpost.com/crime-scene/around-the-nation/feds-find-drug-tunnel-to-mexic.html

Picture found here:http://www.jspnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/tunnel_between_mexico_southern_california.jpg

Republican Presidential Candidates on Immigration

The Republican Presidential candidates have all been debating with each other, preparing for the future caucuses and primaries that will decide which one of them will go head to head with President Barack Obama. The topic of immigration has come up in the debates and how a candidate feels about illegal immigration says a lot about him/her. Voters often think of candidates simply as how they feel about a few key topics like immigration. Usually for a candidate, its either a hit or miss.

Newt Gingrich apparently favors a "humane" immigration policy, a significant departure from intense Republicans who believe in erecting a fence (double fence, fence with electrocution) along the border. Texas governor Rick Perry also believes in a more moderate approach and has come under fire for his support of a peice of legislation similar to the California DREAM Act in Texas, a bill that would allow illegal immigrants to go to local colleges and universities.

On the other side, Mitt Romney and Michelle Bachmann think that Gingrich and Perry's approach is favoring amnesty and would much rather build a fence across the entire border. Perry suffered in the polls for his dealing with immigration with a "heart" but Gingrich will probably not suffer in the same way because his policy seemed more logical.

Info from:http://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Elections/President/2011/1201/Why-GOP-candidates-keep-debating-illegal-immigration-despite-pitfalls

Picture:http://movingwallpapers.net/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/republican-presidential-candidates.jpg

Becoming a Citizen

To become a U.S. citizen, there is a long drawn out process that takes time, money, and contacts. You must pass a Naturalization Test that consists of multiple choice questions and 10 questions in an oral exam. This seems fair and generally people pass the test (92%) but the entire process is much too strict and takes too much time and money.

(Could you pass the test? Take it here:http://www.csmonitor.com/USA/2011/0104/Could-you-pass-a-US-citizenship-test/Who-signs-bills)

Furthermore, citizenship requires the completion of a ten page application including when in the last 3-5 years you left the country and for what reason. Questions are also asked about personal subject; a past question asked whether or not someone had been a worker of the Nazi government. Hiring a lawyer to help with the process ranges from $1,000 to $2,500, an amount that most immigrants cannot pay.

Should our system be so difficult for allowing immigrants to become citizens? I don't think so. Plenty of immigrants come to this country to be free, work hard, and contribute to society. Aren't these key American values? Punishing these enthusiastic immigrants for the deeds of some of their peers is unfair.

Info:http://www.wenatcheeworld.com/news/2010/jul/03/becoming-a-naturalized-us-citizen-is-a-long-hard/

Picture:http://www.wiltonlibrary.org/blogs/teens/uploads/immigrants_us_citizen_test.jpg