Following the Rules is Not Enough

In Dallas, residents protested earlier this week that their applications to become legal U.S. citizens will not be processed in time to vote in the upcoming presidential election, despite promises to the contrary.

The people awaiting their documentation of citizenship “followed the rules” of immigration and were promised to have their citizenship by July 4, 2008. Some say they will not receive proof of citizenship until October, which is too late to qualify to vote. It seems strange that people obtaining citizenship through the proper channels could be penalized by being deprived of the right to vote.

In the wake of controversial immigration issues in the area, some Republican state representatives plan to hold a meeting to discuss more effective ways to deport undocumented immigrants. With record-breaking numbers of new and non-traditional voters supporting Democratic candidates, could the delay in processing citizenship applications hold more than meets the eye?