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This might be a helpful reminder about how legal immigration worked:
In 1964 I applied for an immigration visa at the U.S. Embassy in Vienna, Austria. One had to have a sponsor or a job offer in the U.S. to prove one would not be a burden to the U.S. taxpayers as part of the application. I had a written job offer. Thus, I was not a burden to the United States … instead, I wanted to be a contributor.
I arrived in January 1965 and was assigned my Alien Registration Number: A ZZ XXX YYY. After a year working on my job in Indiana I returned to Steubenville. I was fortunate to land a full-time night shift job as an ironworker in pre-OSHA Weirton Steel, ultimately working my way up to a civil engineer job in the construction department. While I worked full time I completed my bachelor's degree magna cum laude at West Liberty.
In May 1965 I received the famous letter from Uncle Sam: "Greetings …" Next thing I knew, I was at Fort Hayes, Ohio, standing in a phalanx to be inoculated against yellow fever and other assorted hazards prevalent in Vietnam. Yes - the U.S. military inducted resident aliens into military service, provided you met the age and physical condition requirements.
Once admitted as a legal "immigrant" one had to wait for five years before one could apply for U.S. citizenship. During that time, one was prohibited from certain specific citizens' rights including voting, owning a firearm or owning stock in certain military or defense contractors. One basically had to be an exemplary resident without breaking any laws, otherwise back to where you came from, you went.
Each January I had to fill out the "Alien Registration Card", including my Alien Registration Number, and deliver it, in person showing an ID, to a local U.S. post office. Thus, the government knew at all times my whereabouts. Furthermore, if I changed my address, I was required to notify the INS within 10 days. Every permanent non-citizen was registered.
In 1971 during the in-person meeting with INS officials reviewing my citizenship application, I had to prove my English fluency; was grilled about the Constitution, our laws and American History; and was asked a ton of questions that a first semester civics student should be able to answer. I had to display an understanding of how our government worked.
Then, on Monday, Sept. 13, 1971, I stood in a courtroom in New York City, along with about 200 other immigrants, and swore allegiance to the United States of America. I was gratefully awarded, yes awarded, my coveted U.S. citizenship by receiving my certificate of naturalization.
So where do these "illegals" come up with the right to spend one minute in our country?
Draw enormous benefits? Be protected by those idiots in sanctuary cities?
My fervent hope is that we re-elect Donald J. Trump so we can return to a well-managed economy, close the border, establish a sane and traditional INS where you have to earn your presence in our country and regain the world's respect and admiration. We have become an international joke.
For God's sake -- build an impenetrable wall already.
All illegal alien criminals are to be sent back to their respective countries and listed as persona non grata in perpetuity, along with their children.
All illegal males and females who want to stay in the U.S., who are between the ages of 18 and 26 should be inducted immediately into the U.S. military, provided they are not criminals.
After serving five years and receiving an honorable discharge, they shall be awarded U.S. citizenship.
Any illegals who have been here eight years or more and possess a valuable or essential skill that will help the economy of the U.S. may be granted specific dispensation by an immigration panel.
All immigrants from countries considered enemies, inciting or doing harm to the U.S., for example such as Yemen, Libya, Iran, Syria or the Democratic Republic of Congo, shall be denied entry of any kind other than diplomatic entry.
The EB-5 Investment Program should be substantially expanded, similar to Canada's program. If somebody wants to invest millions, start a business and create jobs … come on in.
Any children born to illegals in the U.S. should fall under the current laws, however, be returned with their parents to their respective countries, but given preferential immigration application status.
The Alien Registration I-94 Program should be enforced -- which currently it obviously is not.
Any individual who assists illegals, such as officials in sanctuary cities, are accessories to a crime and shall be fined or otherwise punished accordingly.
Let's avoid another 9/11 which, I believe, unfortunately, may happen under the current nincompoops.
I know it's a word from the 1960s - but it fits in Washington today.
I'm all for immigration - legal immigration.
The current system is an insult and makes a mockery of what those of us who came up the hard way, gratefully earning -- yes, earning -- our coveted U.S. citizenship. The left-wing do-gooders are clueless and are living in lala land. Our schools need to reinstate the Pledge of Allegiance to give the next generation a better understanding of the value of their citizenship and imbue in them the respect our nation and flag deserve.
(Sontag, a resident of Steubenville, is founder and chief executive officer of Fast Lane Travel Inc.)