David presented interesting information/background in his post promoting
non-citizen, immigrant/resident alien voting rights. This thread is
pertinent to the mpls-issues list because of the recent influx of immigrants
from many nations into the Twin Cities over the past couple of decades.
These new immigrants live and work in our collective community, and their
children attend our public schools.
Granted, US immigration laws have been used and abused throughout our
history, but that knowledge should help prevent further abuses in the
future. Non-citizen immigrants enjoy many benefits living in the United
States, however, voting rights aren't included in that list of benefits.
Regardless, the US remains the destination of choice for millions around the
world. If I move to a foreign country, as a non-citizen I would not expect
to be able to vote in their elections. And, I assume most countries
preserve voting rights for citizens only.
I think rather than granting non-citizens the right to vote, we should
strive to make it easier for them to gain citizenship-- and not by reducing
requirements, but by offering more community outreach and more opportunity
for citizenship education. And we must realize that many immigrants are not
even interested in becoming citizens.
Now, I'm no expert in this area, but I believe non-citizens with permanent
resident status enjoy 'near-citizen' status in all ways except for the right
to vote. They can rent/buy housing, work, raise families, use the public
schools, pay taxes, enjoy religious (and other) freedoms, retire and collect
social security and pensions just like citizens. They can sue in a court of
law. They are eligible for welfare, medicare/medicaid, etc., just like
citizens. I think if non-citizens want the right to vote and participate at
a higher level in this society, they should be willing to become citizens.
Lets remember that rights are accompanied by responsibilities; citizenship
represents the quid pro quo for voting rights in the US. I don't think
gaining citizenship represents a insurmountable barrier to those wanting to
vote and participate at that higher level.
Michael Hohmann
13th Ward
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