This plan will give current illegal immigrants living in the United States a single chance to apply for citizenship.
Why have Pathways to Citizenship?
- Can be implemented quickly while securing our borders
- Many immigrants were brought here as children and have grown up in the U.S.
- The economy relies on illegal immigration for cheap labor in
- Agriculture
- Construction
- Food processing and services
- Hospitality
- Landscaping
- Maintenance
- Manufacturing
- Domestic work
- Numerous immigrants are contributing positively to American society
- Identification and deportation of all of the illegal immigrants would be costly and time-consuming
- Encouraging illegal immigrants to come forward can:
- Reduce costs
- Help filter applicants
- Our current immigration system is too expensive for many honest, hard-working immigrants to afford
- It is important to keep families strong by keeping children with their parents
- It will also create less of a burden to taxpayers to have their families stay and pay taxes and provide for their children rather than having the children become wards of the state
- Allowing approved immigrant neighbors to rectify their legal status shows grace and charity
- It enables us to enforce our laws well also supporting the structures and workers that are already in place
- While these individuals did enter illegally we have to acknowledge some reasons for doing so include that certain groups and politicians encouraged and incentivized illegal immigration instead of reforming current immigration laws
Grounds for Immediate Deportation
- Violation of Terms: If a applicant does not adhere to the terms and conditions of the pathway process or fails to register within 16 weeks of program commencement
- Security Threats: Individuals who are considered a threat to national security or public safety, including those with ties to terrorist organizations
- Criminal Activity: having a criminal record, being convicted of a crime, or wanted for or convicted of a crime in another country.
- If the judge feels they are a flight risk they can be denied bail
- Providing False Information: Misrepresentation or fraud during the pathway process or to immigration officials
- Marriage Fraud: Being found to have married solely for immigration benefits
- Public Health Concerns: Having certain health issues, such as communicable diseases of public health significance, if discovered during medical examinations
Grounds for Deportation
- Failure to Maintain Status: Failing to comply with conditions such as maintaining full-time work, student, or childcare status or not reporting the changes in circumstances.
- Public Charge: If a applicant becomes dependent on government assistance or welfare programs—unless this dependency is a direct result of newly acquired permanent disability due to an accident which happened in America and for which they were not at fault.
- Eviction from Refugee or Asylum Seekers Status: If a applicant who was granted refugee or asylum status is found to no longer meet the requirements for that status
Registration Guidelines
- Registration Fee: A reasonable fee will be charged to cover administrative costs; installment options should be available for qualifying individuals
- Registration Deadline: Failure to register within 16 weeks of program commencement disqualifies individuals from future citizenship pathways
- Mandatory Participation: All individuals who entered illegally must complete the process, even if they marry a U.S. citizen
- Background Check: Applicants must submit to a thorough background check to identify any disqualifying criminal history
- Required Information: Applicants must provide:
- Legal name(s)
- Birthdate
- Date and location of entry into the U.S.
- Country and city/town of origin
- Previous addresses and residency dates
- Photographs of face
- Photographs of identifying marks such as tattoo’s or scars
- Fingerprints
- DNA
- Data Privacy: All information listed above will be stored in a national database accessible to law enforcement until citizenship is granted, at which point it will be permanently deleted.
- Medical examination: Applicants must be tested and clear of communicable diseases of public health significance.
Interim Status: While applying for a pathway, applicants gain a special status that protects them from deportation, except for the reasons listed above, and allows them to work freely in the U.S.
Individuals who fail to qualify for a pathway are deported.
Temporary Residency: is given to anyone who qualifies for a pathway to citizenship.
One-Time Pathway Requirements - to be completed within the pathway time period and before granted citizenship.
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Commitment: Applicants must follow the terms and conditions for the duration of their pathway requirements.
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English Test: Applicants must pass an 8th-grade level English competency test.
- Government should supply an online English course using some of the funds from the registration fee.
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Civics Test: applicants must pass a test on U.S. government
- Government should supply an online class in multiple languages using some of the funds from the registration fee.
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Three Citizen Sponsors: Secure three U.S. citizen sponsors who can vouch for the applicant’s character, community involvement, and contributions to society. Sponsors must provide a signed affidavit and supporting documentation of their relationship to the applicant.
Annual Pathway Requirements - Yearly
- Subject to random drug tests: not to be issued more than twice a year, to be completed within a 72 hour period.
- If applicant is out of the country when the test is ordered they must supply documentation of travel leaving and returning to the country and complete the drug test within 72 hours of returning to the country.
- Community Service: Document participation of 52 hours a year in community service or volunteer activities that demonstrate a commitment to contributing positively to the local community
- Comprehensive background checks: Applicants will pay $100 every two years to pay for a comprehensive background check
Approved Criteria to Demonstrate Previous Commitment and Contribution - For all of the years the applicant must have resided in the US or been actively enrolled in an American university or receiving training for an American based job.
- 6th-12th Grade School Commitment Documentation
- Academic Performance: Maintained a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 2.5 or higher throughout the academic career.
- Attendance: Achieve good attendance with less than a 10% absenteeism within any given academic year, as evidenced by school records.
- Disciplinary Record: Maintain a disciplinary record with no history of violent or drug-related incidents. Applicants should provide documentation from their school confirming this.
- Involvement in Extracurricular Activities: Participation in extracurricular activities, such as athletics, clubs, or community service organizations, is encouraged. Such activities should reflect pro-social behavior and contribution to the school/community.
- High School Graduation: If of appropriate age, provide proof of high school graduation (diploma or equivalent).
After achieving a diploma or equivalent applicants must provide documentation of one or more of the following.
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Continuing Education and Achievements: applicants may submit documentation of educational milestones achieved, including diplomas, degrees earned, certifications, and transcripts demonstrating participation in training or vocational programs that enhance personal and professional development.
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Skill Development: Evidence of involvement in skill-building workshops, leadership training, or other self-improvement initiatives. This could include certificates or diplomas from programs emphasizing skills relevant to future employment.
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Higher Education Enrollment: Evidence of enrollment in post-secondary education (universities, community colleges, vocational training) showing a commitment to furthering education.
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Entering the workforce: if after the applicant has attained a minimum of a high school or equivalent education and they enter the workforce they must then supply tax and income information
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Tax Compliance: Provide verifiable documentation of consistent federal income tax payments during that time 2. Proof of Income: Provide verifiable documentation of consistent sources of income and employment, such as pay stubs, bank statements, or employment contracts.
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Giving birth and caring for children under the age of 6. applicants may provide proof of majority child care for their legal dependents up to the age of 6 years old.
Pathway 1: Proof Contribution to America
To enter this pathway applicants will need to provide proof of consecutive years of the Approved Criteria to Demonstrate Previous Commitment and Contribution
Time that does not count toward pathway requirements but do not constitute a break in the consecutive years include
- Experiencing serious medical issues that prevent work
- Permanent disability due to an accident that occurred in America for which they were not at fault
Proof of years of commitment verses remaining years on the pathway chart
| Years of Commitment | Time on Pathway |
|---|---|
| 10 | 5 |
| 9 | 6 |
| 8 | 7 |
| 7 | 8 |
| 6 | 9 |
| 5 | 10 |
| 4 | 11 |
| 3 | 12 |
| 2 | 13 |
All applicants must complete the onetime and annual pathway requirements during the pathway time period.
By fulfilling these criteria, applicants can exhibit their commitment to education, personal growth, and proof of contribution thereby positioning themselves for a pathway to citizenship.
Pathway 2 - Military Service
This pathway offers a route to citizenship for undocumented immigrants aged 40 and under who can prove at least two years of Approved Criteria to Demonstrate Previous Commitment and Contribution
- Enlist for the military: Serve active duty for at least five years and be honorably discharged.
After being honorably discharged the applicant must remain on the pathway for the following time periods
| Years of Military Service | Time on Pathway |
|---|---|
| 5 | 5 |
| 6 | 4 |
| 7 | 3 |
| 8 | 2 |
By fulfilling these criteria, applicants can transition to permanent residency and ultimately apply for U.S. citizenship, recognizing their dedication and service to the nation while integrating them into the fabric of American society.
Approved Criteria to Demonstrate Future Commitment and Contribution - For all of the years the applicant must reside in the US or be actively enrolled in an American university or receiving training for an American based job.
- 6th-12th Grade School Commitment Documentation
- Academic Performance: Maintain a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 or higher throughout their academic career.
- Attendance: Maintain good attendance with less than a 5% absenteeism within any given academic year, as evidenced by school records.
- Disciplinary Record: Maintain a disciplinary record with no violent, drug-related, harassment, cheating, or vandalism incidents. Applicants should provide documentation from their school confirming this.
- Involvement in Extracurricular Activities: Participation in extracurricular activities, such as athletics, clubs, or community service organizations, is encouraged. Such activities should reflect pro-social behavior and contribution to the school/community.
- High School Graduation: If of appropriate age, provide proof of high school graduation (diploma or equivalent).
After achieving a diploma or equivalent applicants must provide documentation of one or more of the following.
-
Continuing Education and Achievements: applicants may submit documentation of educational milestones achieved, including diplomas, degrees earned, certifications, and transcripts demonstrating participation in training or vocational programs that enhance personal and professional development.
-
Skill Development: Evidence of involvement in skill-building workshops, leadership training, or other self-improvement initiatives. This could include certificates or diplomas from programs emphasizing skills relevant to future employment.
-
Higher Education Enrollment: Evidence of enrollment in post-secondary education (universities, community colleges, vocational training) showing a commitment to furthering education.
-
Entering the workforce: if after the applicant has attained a minimum of a high school or equivalent education and they enter the workforce they must then supply tax and income information
-
Tax Compliance: Provide verifiable documentation of consistent federal income tax payments during that time. 2. Proof of Income: Provide verifiable documentation of consistent sources of income and employment, such as pay stubs, bank statements, or employment contracts.
-
Giving birth and caring for children under the age of 6: applicants may provide proof of majority child care for their legal dependents up to the age of 6 years old.
Pathway 3: Demonstrate Commitment and Contribution for Adults
This pathway offers a route to citizenship for applicants aged 18 years or older who can prove at least one year of residency within the United States. Applicants must fulfill 20 consecutive years of the Approved Criteria to Demonstrate Future Commitment and Contribution.
Pathway 4: Demonstrate Commitment and Contribution for Minors
This pathway offers a route to citizenship for applicants aged 17 years or younger who can prove current residency within the United States with a legal guardian. applicants must fulfill a minimum of 10 consecutive years of the Approved Criteria to Demonstrate Future Commitment and Contribution and achieve #1.
Children aged 13 years and younger are exempt from all Annual Pathway Requirements