Deport Killed Soldier's Father?

I read this blog last night and wanted to think about it for awhile rather then commenting with a knee jerk reaction.  I've not seen any news coverage on this story however there is another story in the news about a Soldier going off to the war facing the reality of his wife being deported while he's gone. I don't really understand that one because I thought marriage to a US Citizen made it automatic for the spouse.

Is the wife and other kids to be left in the US, or are they all being deported?

What I do believe is that any alien, illegal or otherwise willing to serve this country, and die for this country in uniform should be given citizenship.  Whether the service of one should secure the same for their families, that is a really tough question for me, but my initial reaction is no.  

I understand that at the core of this great nation are families and as a nation is there any good going to come from just ripping them apart?  On the other side of the argument what is the point in having Immigration Laws if they're not enforced?  It's like a Parent ignoring a broken rule with their kids.  If the rule is pointless then do away with it, if you're not enforcing the rule you are endangering the compliance of all other rules.   

Alot of legal wrangling could be avoided if illegals are given a chance to gain their citizenship by serving in the military, plain and simple.  No catches, no fines just a simple "are you willing to serve the country that you have illegally entered"  If they do then they get their citizenship at the end of an agreed upon tour of duty, if not then they need to leave.   I don't think being able to visit a grave is criteria to be considered.  Not knowing the full story makes me reluctant to take a firm stand.  I do believe however that the burden being put on this country by illegal aliens is tremendous and needs to be stopped. 

The penalties for smuggling illegals needs to be so severe that the profit is not worth the risk.  People are treated like livestock and there is little to no regard for their lives in the process.

Like Marsha I had to think awhile. I bet I could count on my fingers the number of military people who's parents are illegal's.  As far as the wife' if she is a citizen she would not be deported and she is an illegal and has a son or husband serving I would support her staying.  I often wonder when theese issues come up how legitimate they are/ or is it to create a more sympathetic mood towards illegals.

I read the blogs everyday; and when I read this one last knight my first reaction was to take my seat and start bumping my keyboard. As Marsha stated, I figured this one needed some thought, and not just a knee jerk reaction to it. So! Here is my opinion on the matter, based on the facts that have been presented.

First let me say, I do not have a problem with immigrants coming to this country, but what I have is a problem with how they get here. We have rules and laws in place for that procedure and it seems that many coming here feel that they are above and beyond the rule of law. I kind of equate it with a sporting event that you know will sell out before you get too the ticket counter. Would it be right to push your way to the front of the line to get your ticket, with out regard for the others waiting? NO! It would not be right.

Baxley the definitive word is illegal, the man broke our laws by coming to this country the way he did. Yes; the man’s son did die serving this country, but it was his choice to serve, not his fathers. We can not ignore the law based on compassion for a particular incident, but what we can do is change the law based on compassion for a given situation. If this country starts cherry picking the laws that we enforce, as we have with immigration, then one must ask what the value of the rule of law is.

Putting emotions aside, one must conclude that the law must be followed, and the man must pay the penalty for breaking our laws. Any negative impact on this man and his family was brought to bear by his choice to enter this country illegally, just like it was his son’s choice to serve this country. Everyone makes many choices in their lifetime, and there will always be circumstances that arise from the choices that have been made.

Compassion has no place in enforcing our laws. The man should be arrested and charged. If he is found to be guilty, then his sentence should be carried out by the judge. If the judge decides to show compassion during the sentencing, then that is his prerogative to do so, as long as it is within the sentencing guide lines. As callused as some may think my opinion is, my heart tells me; so sad, but my logic tells me to bad.

I have said it in the past, and I will say it again, time and choice make the person. This man made a choice and now must be willing too accept the circumstances that have come from the choice he made. And if that means his entire family must be deported that is his cross to bare, not ours.  

It takes an unsatisfied person to make things satisfactory: Winn1955

Good stuff, thanks.  

I noticed each of you paused to think.  Me too, but really quickly I decided it was a no brainer - to me.  The guy gets to stay.

I think Marsha's idea is OUTSTANDING!!!!!!! ( Marsha)   I had thought the same thing.  It would help cure 2 problems at once.  People willing to trade 4 years of service to the Motherland in the military, then at the end of your tour of duty, you would receive automatic citizenship.

Back to the original story.   If a guy sacrifice's his son to helping protect safety and freedom, I don't care where he's from, how he got here, or anything else - he gets to stay.  Heart over brain.  Love over law.  Spin it anyway you want to, that man has paid a price no one else wants to pay.  He didn't want to pay it either, I assure you.

I am typically a rules-following kind of guy.  But sometimes, given the facts we all know, and you all spelled out - a broken immigration system - exceptions should be made.  I'm curious to see how it plays out.  It was on CNN Monday 10/8 in the evening.  An interview with the man, through an interpretor, with the typical family photos.  Like the ones hanging on my wall, and yours.  I'm voting he stays. Now here's a REAL reality show. 

Baxley Marsha’s idea is a very good solution to a complex problem. Four years in the armed service for your citizenship would be a fare exchange for breaking the laws too get here. It would benefit all evolved.

I respectfully disagree in the matter of sacrifice. The man has suffered a great loss, and one that none of us would ever want to endure in our lifetime. If there was a draft in place I would agree with you. At that time the man would have gave up his son for the better good of all; hence the word sacrifice would come into play.

It was his son’s choice to enlist in the military. His son had to be of the age of consent to join. The best his father could have done was to try and talk him out of it. It is a tragic loss that many thousands of citizens have had to suffer also. And I’m sure many of those parents tried to talk their son, or daughter out of joining.

During the Vietnam War many of my friends sacrificed their life’s for the supposed betterment of the Mother land. Remember the song by CCR the unfortunate son.  You didn’t see no Senators son go to Nam. Anyone with money had the buy out clause to protect their son’s and the ones that didn’t have the money had to sacrifice their son’s

Baxley it was a great loss that the father has had to suffer, as many others have. It was his son’s choice to join; and he knew what the possible out come could be. Great Loss, yes Sacrifice; not in my opinion. The man broke the law to get here, and now must accept his consequences for the choice he made ten, or so years ago.    

It takes an unsatisfied person to make things satisfactory:winn1955  

There is a precedent for the idea of exchanging military service for citizenship. This was a standard practice during WWII. I know my father-in-law did that. He had come over from Italy through Ellis Island as a child and had not yet met the criteria for citizenship.

The major difference at that time was that this deal was only offered to legal immigrants.

There are some major drawbacks to this idea. Some could probably be overcome but I don't think all of them could.

1. Many (most?) don't speak English. This is a deal killer. (Press 1 for English.)

2. Many don't have any, or a very limited education. (This is another deal killer.)

3. Many still want to support their home country more than they want to support the US. Think Cinco de Mayo and Mexican Flags or the number of Cuban Flags flying down south.

I don't see any quick and easy solutions to the issue. We refuse to enforce our own laws. We give automatic citizenship to a baby born here by illegal. We automatically assume because a person is in this country that they have all the rights that a citizen has. Ad infinitum......

The only solution to the number of illegals in this country that I can see happening is the same one they used a number of years ago. Give them all immunity and then we don't have a problem with illegals for another 15-20 years when we can do it again.

Do I like this idea? Not one bit, but I see this as the way the politicians will choose. I spent 23 years in San Diego watching this problem fester. If we don't get control of the bleeding hearts and just deport them (along with the illegal babies they have right after crossing the border), we will never solve the problem.

I feel sorry for the man who lost his son to war but you know, we didn't bring home all our soldiers during WWI, WWII etc. I don't see any other country granting citizenship so that the parents could visit their son's grave.

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