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What is so vile and scary about a “path to citizenship”?
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Amnesty, from Greek amnēstía, “forgetfulness of wrong” seems like a good concept.
Who wants to hold on to resentment for someone who bravely escaped a hard and often dangerous life and crossed a border? Could it be simply a dislike and fear of the differences in appearance, language and habits? If so, maybe it is time to do some travelling. This attitude is nothing new.
The ancient Greeks had their issues concerning their non-citizen residents called “Metics”, but the Athenians warmed up to them when they were needed to fight in the Peloponnesian war.
Why are many of our politicians and their hangers-on so adamant that amnesty is flat out bad? Pandering comes to mind but could it also be a concern that the typical newly minted citizen would vote in a predictable and unfavorable way?