HOUSE BILL: Naturalization Act (Tabled)

[Enduro]

I think this is a pretty good piece of legislation as is.

Yeah, I agree that the original version is the best.

[Representative simossad]

I have sympathy for the idea that the dominant language plays a role in the naturalization process, but I will, as I stated earlier, support this bill in its original form.

[Southern Senator North Carolina Yankee]

That's the thing. I feel that immigrants should be able to learn English at their own pace and not necessarily rush (especially if they've lived in America for such a brief time). On top of this, they have to settle somewhere, take care of children, find work, learn the way of living, etc. That's a lot!

Maybe taking a English-learning (foundations) course for a minimum # of weeks, but that's basically it.

Rushed? This person has to be a green card holder a for a year before they can even apply, according to the underlying text?

[Southern Senator North Carolina Yankee]

I object to the amendment.

I am afraid I agree with Simossad.


It is not safe for them either. They will be stuck unable to obtain better pay, subject to abuse by employers, tenants and criminals. They won't be able to reach out to the authorities effectively or will be told lies about the authorities to keep them from reaching out to get help.

We are talking about the naturalization process here. If we want all citizens to succeed and be able to have an equal shot at achieving success, understanding the basics of the language and even of the system that will protect them and their rights, is critical.

Immigrants who want to succeed in this nation will do so anyway, we don't need government mandates on everything because it would help someone. For once, can we be honest with ourselves and say that people can protect their own interests, and don't need big brother government to hold their hands in every decision? Provide an English course, but make it optional.

I disagree. This an "optional" choice to become a citizen. No one is being forced to become a citizen by this bill. It is perfectly reasonable for the gov't to enforce laws that ensure a certain amount of community cohesion by stipulating regulations for the naturalization process. Requiring a uniform language and knowledge of the system is not just about protecting their interest, but also ours. It is of mutual benefit to to have an integrated society.

People want to speak whatever language they want, fine. But if you want to become a citizen here, there are rules must be followed in order to do so. I have not, nor have I ever believed in the complete, unregulated freedom of travel between countries and I certainly don't believe that we should bestow citizenship on people who will be disconnected from society. Anyone regardless of origin, should be able to become a citizen, but only if they follow the rules. 

The alternative will be the alienation of large pockets of society, which will become hot beds of terrorism and separatism.

We are united by our values and unless we can communicate with one another and know those values, the unity they bring is hollow.

I cannot support this bill without an English mandate.

[Southern Senator North Carolina Yankee]

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Sponsor Feedback: Origination
Status: Objection filed by Enduro. A vote is now open on the above amendment, Representatives, please vote Aye, Nay or Abstain.

[Southern Senator North Carolina Yankee]

AYE!

[Enduro]

Nay.

[Pragmatic Conservative]

I agree with the above argument from Enduro that we shouldn't force citizens to learn one language. We're a multicultural society that has many languages, and one where we shouldn't prioritize one over the rest. Therefore I vote Nay on the ammendment.

[OneJ]

Nay (on the amendment).

[Representative simossad]

Abstain.

[Mike Thick]

Eh, ABSTAIN.

[President of the great nation of 🏳️‍⚧️]

Nay

[Potus]

Aye

[Heisenberg]

AYE

[Southern Senator North Carolina Yankee]

Vote on Amendment H5:14 by OneJ_

Aye (3): Heisenberg, NC Yankee and Potus
Nay (4): 1184AZ, Enduro, Peebs, OneJ_
Abstain (2): Simossad and Ted


The amendment has failed to pass.

[Enduro]

Motion for a final vote.

[Potus]

Objection to final vote.

What the hell guys, are we about to pass a law featuring the phrases like, "a record of helping communities would be helpful" and "although it is highly recommended." Someone needs to rewrite this is into an actual law.

[Enduro]

Good amendment.

[Drew]

I could support the bill in its current (amended) form.  If there were a language requirement to this bill, I have a feeling that it would end up in court pretty quickly.

[Southern Senator North Carolina Yankee]

I could support the bill in its current (amended) form.  If there were a language requirement to this bill, I have a feeling that it would end up in court pretty quickly.

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There is no other portion of the Constitution that would preclude us setting a language requirement for people to become citizens. We couldn't establish a religious test for instance, but that is entirely different.

It is not a requirement that they use a language, it would merely be a requirement that they know it. And there is good reason for that to be a requirement. Having a group of people who cannot speak English is dangerous for them and would lead to abuse by employers, landlords, and merchants. Enduro at least stated his motivation was a desire to remove Gov't mandates, I can understand that. However, unless the rest of you have suddenly become Libertarians, I fail to see the justification for intentionally leaving new citizens defenseless against corrupt business people, who will take advantage of their inability to speak English.

I don't get why suddenly there is some great outrage at the prospect of making sure that new citizens have the same equal footing to succeed as everyone else. Comprehensive immigration bills in the past required the undocumented to learn English before being given permanent legal status.

[Southern Senator North Carolina Yankee]

Also considering how Potus voted on the last amendment, I highly doubt this is what he had in mind when he recommended it be "rewritten".

[Southern Senator North Carolina Yankee]

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Sponsor Feedback: Origination
Status: Representatives have 24 hours to object.

[OneJ]

I have an idea everyone and I'll share it later on.

[Enduro]

I have an idea everyone and I'll share it later on.

The suspense is killing me.

[OneJ]

I've been listening to all of y'all's concerns on the issues of the bill (language section especially), so I attempted to address them all in a what would hopefully become a successful bipartisan bill.

Here's my amendment

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