Trump conditioning citizenship on wealth, background
By Patricia Lopez / Bloomberg Opinion
Nearly four months into his second term, its becoming clear that President Trumps xenophobic views on immigration are reshaping what it means to become a U.S. citizen. His vision tilts heavily toward the wealthy and well-to-do, with special shortcuts for them and barriers to entry for the rest; particularly the worlds refugees and asylum seekers.
Theres Trumps proposal for $5 million gold visa cards, the prototype of which is literally Trumps visage and Lady Liberty emblazoned on a golden rectangle. The cards would allow, in Trumps words, very high-level people a route to citizenship. One goal of the gold card is to cut years off the typical vetting process, producing residency in as little as two weeks.
Then there are the hefty deterrents for everyone else. New and escalating fees, proposed in the GOPs House budget bill, would quickly diminish the chances of entry for lower-income immigrants or refugees. A $3,500 fee would be slapped on unaccompanied minors. Anyone seeking a work permit would have to pay $550. And asylum applications, previously free, would cost $1,000 each. Most refugees and asylum seekers arrive in the U.S. with few possessions and even less cash. Until now, those with valid claims have depended heavily on modest federal resettlement stipends to ease their transition.
And while it remains a long shot, Trumps challenge to the Constitutions promise of birthright citizenship is an important declaration by this administration that it wants to determine who can become a citizen. Trump would deny citizenship to children born to parents who are undocumented or who are here lawfully but on a temporary student or work visa. Some 2 million foreign nationals are here on such visas. Trumps case goes to the Supreme Court later this month, and depending on the outcome, a new subclass of Americans could be created; born here, but never fully belonging.
https://www.heraldnet.com/opinion/comment-trump-conditioning-citizenship-on-wealth-background/
Have the Afrikaners paid this?