Immigrant community in disagreement over citizenship

FlagThe current debate in regards to immigration reform has seen a number of twists and turns, with advocacy groups, protestors and politicians on both sides continuing to argue over the best way to move forward, but recent developments in the immigrant community itself might turn out to be the most significant in terms of how the immigration system should be reformed by the US government.

Although the most important issue within the entire debate is arguably that of offering a pathway to US citizenship for the 11 million undocumented immigrants believed to be currently living in the United States, there are some in the immigrant community itself who feel that a compromise could be reached that would not have to grant them full legal rights.

The New York Times says that many undocumented workers are less concerned with being given full citizenship than they are freedom of movement.  These workers would be happy with a compromise solution that would see them able to acquire a driver’s license and have the right to leave and re-enter the United States.  Thirty-year-old Nicaraguan immigrant Glendy Martinez lives and works in Houston, and is unable to go home to see her three children.  “So many people back there depend on those of us who are here,” she says.  “It would be such a help if we could work in peace and go back sometimes to see our children.”

Not every immigrant agrees with that opinion, however, with some legal immigrants actually complaining themselves about offering citizenship to those who have broken the law.