FIGHT FOR YOUR RIGHT (TO BE A U.S. CITIZEN)

I listen to the daily radio program of the American Center for Law & Justice (ACLJ) where listeners can call in with their legal problems. One of the discussion topics today was the issue of illegal immigration in our country. One caller suggested that we require all 18+ male immigrants who want to be members of this country to serve a 3-year stint in our military as a condition of becoming a citizen. I LOVE IT!! What a great way to prove that you really want to be an American citizen! I can already feel the ACLU's members having convulsions! They may say that it is against their (immigrants) Constitutional rights, but what right would that be, exactly? I don't think that immigrants should have the priviledge of being afforded U.S. Consitutional rights if they are not a naturalized citizen, especially if they entered this country illegally. That would be condoning illegal activity if we just looked the other way. Under Title 8 Section 1325 of the U.S. Code, "improper entry by alien" is a crime. Eluding examination by immigration officers or using false/misleading information to gain access into the country are improper ways to enter this country, and it happens millions of times per year according the the U.S. Border Patrol. Even many aliens who enter this coutry legally violate the terms on which they were admitted by either taking unauthorized jobs or overstaying their authorized period of stay. Among many other Americans, I feel that this problem desperately needs addressed. National security is the major and most pressing reason for tightening our borders and cracking down on illegal immigration. Illegal imigration has overwhelmed population growth in certain communities which in turn is causing a reduction of the availability of affordable housing and a strain on public and natural resources. It also causes classroom crowding. Additionally, most illegal immigrants are not educated and are willing to work for substandard wages and working conditions. This depresses the wages of American workers and decreases the job pool for minority workers and those wthout high school degrees. Therefore, illegal immigration hurts American citizens, legal immigrants, the poor, minorites and children. We must establish effective control of our borders. We must have a comprehensive program to end illegal immigration, and we must not "reward" with amnesty those illegals currently in this country. I'm not saying that we need to have a mass search for and deportation of illegal aliens. I do think that those who are in this country illegally should have to undergo a process (yet to be determined) neccessary to become a legal citizen. Maybe the idea of immigrants serving in the military to prove their desire to be a loyal, law-abiding, tax paying U.S. citizen is a little edgy to say the least, but those who are currently living and working is this country illegally should have to "fight" for the right to stay here by presenting their case to the INS. I'm sure there are dozens of ACLU lawyers who would take up their cause!