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dutch777

(4,912 posts)
Fri Jan 16, 2026, 10:28 AM 5 hrs ago

No way to know, but have to wonder what it would take in $$$ to fully naturalize all existing immigrants?

I am sure there are some criminal elements and sure, they should be legally prosecuted and probably deported. But after that, all the money and over the top Fed policing to try and find people and round them up, I wonder if a mass naturalization program wouldn't be much more cost effective? In many communities we need the workforce they provide. And many are escaping awful conditions in their home country ab asylum is appropriate. I would much rather $$$ support teaching them English, American history/civics and whatever else people think they need or want to complain about that would help them be a productive part of the social fabric. You want to seal the border, stop issuing visas, I guess okay, but at some point you'll probably have to even rethink that if the economy keeps growing and we need more workers than we are producing. As usual, no logic, no long term plan and no real grasp of reality in the current Admin.

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No way to know, but have to wonder what it would take in $$$ to fully naturalize all existing immigrants? (Original Post) dutch777 5 hrs ago OP
I bet it would cost about 1% of ICE's budget sboatcar 4 hrs ago #1
Naturalization is a long process. MineralMan 4 hrs ago #2
But what's the fun in that? Srkdqltr 4 hrs ago #3
It probably wouldn't take as much as ICE's yearly budget awesomerwb1 4 hrs ago #4

MineralMan

(150,692 posts)
2. Naturalization is a long process.
Fri Jan 16, 2026, 10:50 AM
4 hrs ago

Lots of steps along the way. There's no way to bypass that.

Srkdqltr

(9,411 posts)
3. But what's the fun in that?
Fri Jan 16, 2026, 10:50 AM
4 hrs ago

It would take time and effort. They don't do time and effort. Too woke.

awesomerwb1

(4,999 posts)
4. It probably wouldn't take as much as ICE's yearly budget
Fri Jan 16, 2026, 11:02 AM
4 hrs ago

Actually, the agency that processes immigration cases is self sufficient on processing fees I believe.

There is a bi-partisan bill called the Dignity Act 2025 that requires immigrants to pay a "restitution" fee of like $7000 over 7 years. They are granted 7 year temporary legal status, work permits and ability to travel. It's not a perfect bill, not even close, but it's a start.

I think the Dems approach of "all or nothing" when it comes to legalizing immigrants has been a failure and will always be doomed to fail. I have read multiple articles through the years where immigrants in most cases immigrants interviewed said they just want to work in peace and not have to worry about getting deported.

Give undocumented immigrants in the country the ability to get some form or legal status, and they will bite your hand off and the country will prosper. My 2 cents.

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