No one is illegal; this style of language is harmful, dehumanizing, and counter to what makes a better America possible. History teaches us that we are all immigrants, living on land stolen from the First Americans.
Ricky believes that we can comprehensively reform America's broken immigration system for the better through the passage of THE AMERICAN DREAM ACT. Enough is enough; it's time to make sense of immigration again.
Ricky believes that, upon passage of THE AMERICAN DREAM ACT, the United States will finally simplify and better facilitate its citizenship process once and for all, a single signature forever changing millions of lives.
No one is illegal on stolen land.
Ricky unequivocally believes that no human being is illegal; simply referring to the existence of human beings as being against the law is a deliberately dehumanizing, socially destructive linguistic practice, and it must stop immediately.
Ricky believes in an America that enacts a compassionate, yet fair system of immigration; one that holds true to the longstanding hospitality of America's first and true inhabitants—the Amerindian People. Put plainly, they were here long before any Europeans came ashore. If anyone has a claim to this land, it is them and them alone. We may be a nation of laws, but those laws were made to serve and protect the rights human beings. Let's not forget our humanity here.
Let us not forget that the United States of America is a nation built with the blood of Amerindians, Africans, and many other immigrants, now living on land long since taken away from those same Amerindians by European settlers, themselves fleeing persecution for one reason or another, no matter what any fascist may attempt to articulate.
We would be wise to remember this very real chapter in our history. Whether by circumstance or descent, we are all refugees or immigrants, no matter what skin color you are, what language you speak, or what deity you pray to, if at all.
Ricky believes that the time has come to grant immediate permanent resident status to all undocumented human beings living in the United States, absent a violent criminal record.
Ricky believes that the preservation of human rights must be at the forefront of border and immigration policy. Refugees must be welcomed with open arms to the United States of America, not treated as foreign invaders; this can and must begin with the dissolution of the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement, followed by a comprehensive restructuring of our immigration services.
Ricky believes in an America that does not shut the door of opportunity to those fleeing foreign oppression, but welcomes the stranger seeking refuge at our doorstep. Any American claiming to profess a sincere belief in God יַהְוֶה الله ought to remember this.
Ricky believes in an America that builds bridges to welcome strangers into our changing society, not walls keeping innocent children and families out. To do otherwise would further perpetuate our reputation as hypocrites throughout the world.
Ricky has a very straightforward message for those against refugees coming to our doorstep—if you are so steadfastly against the idea of refugees flooding—as you claim—into America, stop supporting candidates who promote the same brand of American military imperialism that drive foreign nationals from their homelands in the first place.
Forcing families to choose between remaining in this country and never seeing their children again and leaving is a horrific policy, and one that is both beneath us as a people and a violation of human rights. These are not mere beliefs, but established facts long stated by the world.
The U.S. immigration system is broken, and both liberals and conservatives are to blame for inaction. Too much time has passed without immigration reform.
Ricky believes we will, at last, comprehensively address our immigration crisis through the passage of THE AMERICAN DREAM ACT, which will accomplish the following:
ESTABLISH
ABOLISH
DECRIMINALIZE
THE AMERICAN DREAM ACT, upon its passage and subsequent enactment, will simplify the citizenship process for all those seeking a new life as a citizen of the United States of America.
Jus Soli: Born within the United States, U.S. Territories, or U.S.-controlled land.
Jus Sanguinis: Born to and recognized as the biological child of a U.S. citizen abroad.
Academic: Student in an accredited U.S. higher education institution for 4+ years.
Discovery: A child under the age of seven (7) of unknown parentage is discovered on U.S. land.
Economic: Legal, taxpaying, law-abiding U.S. resident for 5+ years.
Heritage/Descent: Recognized descendant of a living U.S. citizen.
Honorary: An act of Congress or Presidential Proclamation issued to an individual or individuals.
Marriage: Married to a lawful U.S. citizen for 3+ years, regardless of gender identity.
Military Service: Service in the U.S. Armed Forces for at least one contracted tour.
ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENT(S)
Palesṭīne, the ancestral home of the Palestinian people, is being destroyed by a genocidal apartheid state. By the time you read this, more than 40,000 Palestinians have been murdered by Isrāēli weapons funded by U.S. taxes, with more than 100,000 still unaccounted for under the growing rubble in Ġaza.
Please join Ricky in demanding an end to the genocide, the release of thousands of Palestinian hostages held without reason or trial, the return of Isrāēli hostages, and the cessation of illegal settlements continually being built on Palestinian land in violation of international law.