A squatter’s right is a legal allowance to use the property of another in the absence of an attempt by the owner to force eviction. This right may eventually be converted to title to the property over time by Adverse Possession, if recognized by state law. “Squatting” is an old casual word for occupying a place that legally belongs to someone else when that owner hasn’t given permission for the occupation. “Squatter’s rights” is an assertion that someone is entitled to own land after he’s been squatting there. The legal name for squatter’s rights is “adverse possession.”: definitions.uslegal.com
Children of illegal aliens – so-called “dreamers” are a lot like the squatters mentioned above. They have spent most or all of their lives in the United States. For many, probably a large majority, this is the only home they know. But, unlike typical squatters, their illegal status was not due to any actions on their part.
Should the parents of “dreamers”, along with their children, have been deported quickly upon arrival? In almost all cases, the answer is yes.
But they weren’t. Whether rightly or wrongly, they were allowed to stay in the United States. And the lack of willingness to get serious about removing was bipartisan, stretching across both Democrat and Republican administrations.
Because these people were allowed to stay, we now have hundreds and hundreds of thousands of so-called “dreamers”.
Should they be here? No.
Is there a legal basis for deporting every one of them? Yes.
But should we deport them? I don’t think so. I think we, ourselves, have created the conditions which make it unfair to do so. I can’t abide the wrenching of these children and young adults from the one and only home they know.
But some facts remain as-is:
They are not citizens. And they should not be accorded citizenship simply because they have been here a long time.
But I think there be a realistic – and, for once, strictly enforced – pathway for them to eventually acquire some form of citizenship…though I admit I am still working on the specific criteria which should be applied for this to take place.
As noted earlier, I put up the definition of “squatter’s rights” at the beginning of this blog because I think the concept is pretty similar to where I am when it comes to the so-called “dreamer” population.
What do you think?
