California Gives Expanded Rights to Noncitizens

California is unique in that it has the most illegal immigrants in the country and has 3.5 million legal permanent residents. Thus a significant amount of California’s population does not participate in politics and to change this, the state legislature is allowing permanent legal residents to monitor polls during elections and assist voters and undocumented “immigrants who were brought into the country by their parents will be able to practice law, something no other states allow.” It is controversial because those who support the new laws say it is a way in which noncitizens can contribute and integrate while those that oppose argue there would be no incentive or reasons why immigrants should become citizens. Federalism is allowing California to meet with the local needs and is “experimenting” and if it has a positive effect a similar law can be proposed nationally. It is a good way to integrate both undocumented and legal immigrants. It is important to mention that legal residents are only being allowed to assist they are not voting thus they are not enjoying the same privileges citizens are entitled to.  This law would have a positive effect because the more immigrants participate in politics the more informed they are going to be thus they will be motivated to become citizens so there voices too, will be herd. With regards to the jury duty bill I agree with Bob Wieckowski in that ‘“You don’t release your prejudices or histories just because you take an oath of citizenship, and you don’t lose your ability to listen to testimony impartially just because you haven’t taken that oath either.”’ Plus according to the constitution everyone has the right to a fear trial and this cannot happen if the jury does not represent population. Not to mention that when the jury represents the population of the country or state its citizens tend to trust more the government. This is a great opportunity for immigrants in California to participate more in politics and I hope they do because only then will this law could spread to other states and then why not become a national law.

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/09/21/us/california-leads-in-expanding-noncitizens-rights.html?smid=go-share&_r=0