Time to straighten it out

This banner is something I keep noticing on Hwy 14 as I enter Viroqua from the east.  It is time to stop lying; we “ARE NOT”  all immigrants!  

An “immigrant” is someone from ANOTHER country who has entered the USA legally with a visa/or by asylum.  They come through the front door.  They jumped through all the hoops and entered honestly.

An “illegal alien” is someone who has overstayed an expired visa, was denied asylum, or snuck into the country coming in secretly through the back door.  

A “naturalized citizen” is someone who was an immigrant, completed the process, took a test, learned English, swore allegiance to the USA, and applied for and received citizenship. 

A “citizen” is someone who is born in the USA to a citizen or naturalized citizen, and occasionally a visa/permanent visa holder.

Naturalized citizens and citizens hold the same rights and responsibilities.  Immigrants and illegal aliens do not have the same rights or responsibilities.

It is time to stop the lying and the nonsense about immigrants and citizens. 

My great-grandfather was a naturalized citizen. My grandmother, mother, and I are/were citizens.  We were NEVER immigrants.  Knowing the difference is extremely important.

Immigrants are welcome in the USA with open arms, as long as they come through the front door.