ILW.COM - immigration news: Letter From Walker

Dear Editor:
Is there anyone out there who has a definitive answer as why the British are banned from applying for the Green Card Lottery? I have heard various theories, the Department of State says its to do with the 50,000 quota rule, countries who have sent 50,000 people over the previous 5 years are banned, yet Britain has been banned to the past 4 or 5 years to my knowledge, so how does that argument apply? At the present time, when Britain has been described by President Bush as a true friend, is it really acceptable to ban Brits from applying for the lottery? Post 9/11 Britain and the British people have stood shoulder to shoulder with US and its citizens. the first nation to support the US following 9/11. The first nation to support the US in Afghanistan and send in special forces troops, who incidentally were on the ground fighting before the first US troops arrived. The first nation to support the US over Iraq. So why are Brits banned from taking their chances in lottery?

It's ironic that a section of the UK that is allowed to apply is Northern Ireland, a region of Britain that for decades has been a hot bed of terrorist activity and continues to be so with the IRA still steadfastly refusing to publicly proclaim arms decommissioning. A section of the UK that has had links with other terrorist organizations, has trained middle eastern terror groups amongst others. Yet they can apply, whilst those who supported the US continually can not. Where is the logic or sense in this policy? To many Brits the message that is being sent to them by America is that it's okay for Brits to fight with Americans, die in combat with Americans, but we don't want you to live in America. Is this a way to treat, and I quote President Bush, true friends?

As a Brit, a tax paying E2 Visa holder, not considered a permanent resident, I'm not looking for special favors or to be handed a green card on a plate in preference to all others, just a an opportunity to take my chance in a lottery, a game of chance, is that so much to ask for? My personal view is that the immigration policy should be changed and that those who apply for the lottery, if successful, should after a 3 or 5 year period as green holders, apply for citizenship. If they don't then their green card gets cancelled. If people really want to live in the US and be an integrated part of American society, then that commitment should be total citizenship. I am making an assumption, but I bet if the rules were changed in this way, there would be a dramatic drop in the number of applicants for the lottery. Only those who were serious would apply, uproot their families and make the full commitment.

If you think I may have a valid point, write to your Senators and Congressmen and ask why the Brits are banned and how about changing the rules, so that only those who are prepared to make a full commitment to become part of US society need apply for the game of chance, the green card lottery.

David Walker
Naples, Florida

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