Bias on the Scale of Challenge

Is it hard to get  an American citizenship?

Fulfillment of the eligibility requirements aside, I realized that the process is fair yet still difficult for many immigrants.

A conversation with my aunt stands out in my memory in regards to this matter. She basically scoffed at the idea of GOING to a class for filling out an application and later having a 15-20 minute interview with an examiner. “I even did it all myself”, she said. She then explains to me the process from her memory.

I’m amazed at how it bothered me.  Not only like a munchkin ‘so small and narrow minded’, my aunt  seemed awfully arrogant during that moment. Let’s start with background. Philippines was an American protectorate for 10 years – thus establishing a bilingual education system and a very western society in the Philippines. My aunt then grew up in an environment with English used everyday and with a culture almost similar to that of the United States. Now, education level. Often times, non-English speaking countries send immigrants that barely finished high school or grade school due to daring circumstances. Average Filipino immigrants on the other hand typically go up to 8^th grade in addition to T.V and other outlets to know the English language. There is no comparison really when it comes to the two situations for the Philippines have a lot of advantage.

Is it because of the environment I grew up in the last 4-5 years that I’m more understanding of these things? Or is it my experience at CLC? Perhaps both? 

Hopefully my cousin doesn’t get infected by this munchkinmania.

 

Now, is the process fair? The immigration policy of the United States have evolved away from the Ellis Island procedure and now focuses on  reuniting families,  getting skilled laborers, increasing diversity and providing refuge for politically displaced individuals or refugees. Regardless  of the procedures – both good and bad – that the country legislates, I think that it is   entirely up to the country to decide even if that may mean excluding others the chance to immigrate to the United States. A half hearted gesture with liberal immigration policies that do not reflect the overall sentiment of the people for immigration will cause more problems for the immigrants once they get inside the country. Racism is a big one and lack of resources is another. It really would just be difficult.