DC Council advances bill that would let noncitizens vote

https://wtop.com/dc/2022/10/dc-council-advances-bill-that-would-let-noncitizens-vote/

by tarakat • 4 years ago

10 13 4 years ago

Truthfully, why should one be a citizen? It seems like you get all of the benefits of citizenship, plus the benefits of being a non-citizen, by being a non-citizen.

Citizenship comes with only drawbacks these days.

tristor• 4 years ago

Given the current geopolitical landscape, citizenship brings a lot of perks these days and that is only accelerating. Also the fix for the issues of people being taxed without representation is immigration reform to make it easier for people to legally immigrate, not allowing non-citizens to vote. Whether by hook or by crook, we'll have to reform our immigration policies eventually because the declining birth rates of the West make it imperative if we want to maintain a world-leading economy.

olliej3• 4 years ago

Um, being an immigrated legal permanent resident does not give you any representation. The problem of taxation without representation is not that immigration is hard, it's that you are taxed, and you have no representation.

You can be a temporary (think H1s, student visas, etc) resident, a provisional permanent resident (essentially it's what lets you be a resident for the extended period it takes to approve a green card in which your original work permit might expire), or a permanent resident (i.e. a green card), and in all those cases you pay at minimum the same taxes as citizens.

codefreeordie2• 4 years ago

What perks does citizenship bring? You have to do all the paperwork if you want to go anywhere, you have to follow all the rules, and you still have to pay taxes even if you leave the country. Being a citizen or even a legal resident is just a bad deal at this point.

On the other hand, if you just walk across the border, you qualify for all of the benefits, and even now get to vote just like citizens, but there are no obligations at all. You even qualify for free housing, free healthcare, free internet and cellphone service, and free food, just for showing up without papers.

c-cube• 4 years ago

I must have missed orientation day. What are the benefits of being a non citizen living in the US compared to citizens, exactly?

exabrial• 4 years ago

taxes

kbelder• 4 years ago

Non-citizens can't be prosecuted for treason.

I don't think. Ok, this isn't that big of a benefit.

olliej3• 4 years ago

False. It's easier to buy a home, get a loan, and travel through airports (also less stressful).

cafard• 4 years ago

I'm pretty sure that Takoma Park, a close-in suburb of DC, has this already. Whether noncitizens not working for e.g. the IMF can afford to live in Takoma Park might be another question.

DC Council advances bill that would let noncitizens vote

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