Being a citizen of the United States of America is an honor natives hold dear and a proud achievement for those who obtain it.
While it does take time for a foreign born individual to become a citizen, with some effort and patience, those with no criminal record can expect to become a formal citizen of this great nation through our due process.
In fact, my grandmother had such respect for this nation she passionately longed to be a part of, she didn’t just want to pass her citizenship test—she diligently studied our government’s laws, structures, and history for months, even with her limited English.
The first established legislation to set forth the requirements to become a citizen in America was the United States Naturalization Act of 1790 upon the ratification of the U.S. Constitution.
This had a two-part citizenship status; one, you were born in the U.S., and two, you applied for citizenship and were accepted.
Fast forward to present day and you see left-wing representatives seeking to find loopholes in this legislation, or flat out ignoring our constitutional laws regarding citizenship altogether.
A prime example of the shocking lengths liberals will go to push their agenda is a recently passed law in Maryland that now allows illegal immigrants to vote.
The Washington Post reports:

“The Washington suburb of College Park, Md., on Tuesday became the largest U.S. city to allow noncitizens to cast ballots in municipal elections after a divided City Council vote that reflected the nation’s heated and emotional debate over illegal immigration.”

Maryland is one of the few states that gives independence to their towns and cities to decide who they will allow to vote in local elections.
Several towns in Maryland have taken advantage of this liberty and are allowing non-citizens to vote in Hyattsville, Mount Rainier, Takoma Park, and other smaller towns.
College Park, home to about 32,000 residents, now puts municipal decisions in the hands of undocumented immigrants, student visa holders, and those with green cards.
During a town meeting to discuss the bill before it was passed, residents who were opposed to allowing illegal immigrants to vote were openly chastised and called names.
The Washington Post reports:

““I came here to have a civil discourse, and I was called a Nazi,” said Rick Hudson, who opposed allowing noncitizens to vote and said the slur was directed at him while he waited in line to speak.”

Allowing non-citizens to vote in school board elections, choose county officials, and change legislation that affects a legal citizen’s daily life is unconstitutional. And unwise.
This process gives undocumented immigrants all the government perks, with none of the accountability.
They have the ability to access the public school systems and receive welfare checks, but when confrontation arises, or duty calls, they can forgo responsibility.
With the push in legislation going towards a disregard for the sanctity of voting and the pride of citizenship, we have much to be concerned with.
The Washington Post reports:

“Emily Weant, who has lived in College Park since 2013, said allowing noncitizens to vote is “a slap in the face to citizens, especially Latino immigrants who have earned their citizenship.””

Weant is not the only citizen to feel this way.
In a comment left after an exclusive interview between Gina Rodriguez and Barack Obama on issues facing young Latinos, Teresa Herrera Johnston wrote:

“Utterly disgusted that this treasonous president would condone undocumented individuals to vote illegally. HEAR ME LOUDLY, I am a Latina ashamed to be represented by Latinos who support a proven lying corrupted criminal who cares nothing about my heritage, my financial status or my voice, but only to steal my vote for her personal financial and political gains. My parents were immigrants and followed the rule of law to become citizens. They led the American dream legally. MAGA”

The comment by Johnston, where she refers to Obama condoning “undocumented individuals to vote illegally”, is part of a quote the former President made in response to Rodriguez who said “dreamers” fear that they will be monitored by immigration enforcement if they vote.
Obama responded to Rodriguez that it’s “not true’ and that “When you vote you are a citizen yourself.”
Nowhere does our legislation pose that voting makes you a citizen!
Obama also continued to say that, “The sanctity of the vote is strictly confidential.” and dreamers have more of a reason to vote—so that they can represent their illegal relatives.
It is ironic he uses the words “sanctity of the vote” while encouraging undocumented citizens— who haven’t properly earned voting status through due process—to vote in an election.
You can watch more from this interview between Gina Rodriguez and Barack Obama at the bottom of this article.
Many left-wing representatives try to defend Obama’s quotes here and say he wasn’t encouraging illegal immigrants to vote, but was referring to the “DREAMers”—individuals  protected under the Deferred Action of Childhood Arrivals (DACA).
Unfortunately, both defenses are guilty of the same claim. DACA individuals are still undocumented immigrants with no citizenship status, and therefore hold no right to vote in federal elections.
US Legal reports:

“The term ‘undocumented immigrant’ refer to foreign nationals residing in the U.S. without legal immigration status. It includes persons who entered the U.S. without inspection and proper permission from the U.S. government, and those who entered with a legal visa that is no longer valid. Undocumented immigrants are also known as unauthorized or illegal immigrants.”

This is all being discussed in the midst of a major administrative shift on immigration by President Trump, who is rescinding the DACA program Obama implemented through executive order in June of 2012.
Fox News reports:

“The DACA program was formed through executive order by former President Barack Obama in 2012 and allows certain people, called Dreamers, who come to the U.S. illegally as minors to be protected from immediate deportation. Recipients are able to request “consideration of deferred action” for a period of two years which is subject to renewal.”

To learn more on the debate revolving around DACA and how it is affecting immigrants living in the U.S., check out our article, “Decision Brings Mixed Reactions And Affects Thousands Living In The US”.
President Trump knows the power-play by Obama was wrong and wishes to have legislation passed through the proper channels and provide a more permanent solution to these young men and women seeking citizenship.
Fox News reports:

“Attorney Gen. Jeff Sessions blasted the Obama administration’s “disrespect for the legislative process” in enacting the 2012 policy as he revealed the Trump administration’s decision. He also argued that the “unilateral executive amnesty” could have been struck down by courts had it remained in place. “Such an open-ended circumvention of immigration laws was an unconstitutional exercise of authority by the executive branch,” Sessions said.”

And President Trump has expressed concern for these children who have been raised here from a young age.
Fox News reports on House Representative Paul Ryan who explained the efforts with DACA recipients:

““It is my hope that the House and Senate, with the president’s leadership, will be able to find consensus on a permanent legislative solution that includes ensuring that those who have done nothing wrong can still contribute as a valued part of this great country,” Ryan said.”

It is no doubt that there are individuals here illegally who have contributed to this nation and want nothing more than to be a part of this great country.
The emotional reaction in this situation is to omit all laws and provide a home to those seeking to reside here. But doing so is not considering the negative long term effects—and acting or reacting on emotions often gets ill results.
The outcome of Maryland’s voting decision does not hold true to constitutional values nor respects the efforts of those who fight to make this country great.
There is a process that has been duly thought out and established through proper channels to become a citizen. This process ensures that those who reside in America has our country’s best-interest at heart—including a respect for the rules and regulations we adhere to.
Let us know in the comment section if you have dealt with immigration issues or see a problem with Maryland’s new law.