DOH! Need advice on a huge mistake.

[TheWOAT 0]

Hedo Turkoglu is Turkish, but I dont think his wife accidentally registered to vote. That and a bar of soap will get you off-topic in this thread. Why not bring up Godwin's Law and try and enter this thread into the "Off-Topic" Internet Hall of Fame?

[MoroccanInTexas 24]

Internet Kafe,

Chill out. If you do not have positive things to say, please be quite. The topic is about an issue that an immigrant is facing, and not a linguistics class where you are trying to prove a point...

Edited December 18, 2008 by MoroccanInTexas

[internetkafe 0]

Hedo Turkoglu is Turkish, but I dont think his wife accidentally registered to vote. That and a bar of soap will get you off-topic in this thread. Why not bring up Godwin's Law and try and enter this thread into the "Off-Topic" Internet Hall of Fame?

If a PR votes s/he does something illegal. How hard is it to see this?

How can someone ACCIDENTALLY register to vote?

If that someone speaks and reads ENGLISH????????

[TheWOAT 0]

Hedo Turkoglu is Turkish, but I dont think his wife accidentally registered to vote. That and a bar of soap will get you off-topic in this thread. Why not bring up Godwin's Law and try and enter this thread into the "Off-Topic" Internet Hall of Fame?

If a PR votes s/he does something illegal. How hard is it to see this?

How can someone ACCIDENTALLY register to vote?

If that someone speaks and reads ENGLISH????????

Dude, read what I have wrote AGAIN. The irony of you bringing up English reading skills. I have never said it wasnt illegal, nor that it didnt happen. The details of the story are there only to show that there was no ill intent to register and vote. We honestly didnt know any better. Sure that sounds dumb, and we sure as hell feel dumb, but we dont feel ashamed because it was an honest mistake. There is nothing to argue regarding the facts in this story. All we care about are the ramifications of this act. If she gets deported, then we move to Mexico and move on. Sure its a pain in the ### but life goes on.

As for "accidentally", well the accident wasnt "oops I filled out a registration and voted, how did that happen", it was more "Oops I filled out a registration card and voted when I wasnt legally allowed to." Serious question for you, Why are you here? I'm sure there other topics where you can slip in ignorant remarks about naturalized Mexicans and Mexican-Americans.

[USCIS_VICTIM 0]

Woat,

Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996" (IIRI). IIRI Section 216, (a), 611 reads:

" Ԥ 611. Voting by aliens

‘‘(a) It shall be unlawful for any alien to vote in any election

held solely or in part for the purpose of electing a candidate for

the office of President, Vice President, Presidential elector, Member

of the Senate, Member of the House of Representatives, Delegate

from the District of Columbia, or Resident Commissioner, unless—

‘‘(1) the election is held partly for some other purpose;

‘‘(2) aliens are authorized to vote for such other purpose

under a State constitution or statute or a local ordinance;

and

‘‘(3) voting for such other purpose is conducted independently

of voting for a candidate for such Federal offices, in

such a manner that an alien has the opportunity to vote for

110 STAT. 3009–573 PUBLIC LAW 104–208—SEPT. 30, 1996

such other purpose, but not an opportunity to vote for a candidate

for any one or more of such Federal offices.

‘‘(B) Any person who violates this section shall be fined under

this title, imprisoned not more than one year, or both.’’.

(B) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The table of sections at the beginning

of chapter 29 of title 18, United States Code, is amended

by inserting after the item relating to section 610 the following

new item:

‘‘611. Voting by aliens.’’.

You can find this act at:

http://frwebgate.access.gpo.gov/cgi-bin/ge...publ208.104.pdf

page 547

Good Luck,

[sjoefl01 1]

Remember that this law is harsh to prevent people from illegally influencing US elections. Nobody goes to jail without standing in front of a court. I seriously doubt that any judge or jury would administer such a harsh punishment for making a mistake.

Having painfully waded through this thread I would probably not attempt citizenship without a lawyer. If I were you that would not be the end of the world. LPR keeps her here legally for 10 years at a shot.

If you decide to talk to a lawyer remeber that the lawyers first priority is to get your money. He/she will make this sound like the end of the world unless you pay them, at which time they will breeze you right through the whole mess.

It is a shame this racist stuff snuck into this thread. This is very rare on VJ. 99.999% of the people here are good hearted people that want to share experiences and help with your immigration journey. I don't think I could have ever gotten through this process without the help of this site.

[jundp 191]

To the Slovenian: It is only a matter of time that defines if Slovenian is a language at all, but not a 'dialect' of Russian.

To the 'teacher' I have seen gazillions of ignorant brainless teachers. I guess people have to make ends meet...

That's all I can muster for you. 'ignorant brainless teachers'? Since I have no need to expound on my education or qualifications, I shall grant you the personal feeling of "pwning" me, if that's what you need to feel superior.

To the OP, it's great that the elections officers are being so helpful. Keep us posted on what happens and good luck!

[TheWOAT 0]

We spoke with the County Elections Dept, and they gave us documentation showing the original registration card and proof that she voted. They told us it was illegal, but the registration form shouldnt have been processed by the Dept... SOOO we are zero percent worried about getting convicted of anything. Also someone within the Dept spoke with us, assured us that they see it often in their Dept, and ... Ill keep the rest of the conversation confidential.

I also got alot of help from this site, a ton of help, but this is the internet, and ... well... it sometimes doesnt represent real life conversations... In defense of some members, I was expecting, and deserve, a few '####### were you thinkin?!'s cuz it was a really dumb thing to do...

Moving forward, we are going to just apply for the 10 year GC and consult with a lawyer... then play some golf. Happy Holidays!!!

[jundp 191]

Well, the very best to you both!

[internetkafe 0]

Racist stuff? Since when is it racist to say immigrants should learn English and obey the laws?

If the law says you are not allowed to vote it is your responsibility to understand to know what it means and obey the law to the letter.

If a Turk does it my response would be the same.

[TheWOAT 0]

Racist stuff? Since when is it racist to say immigrants should learn English and obey the laws?

If the law says you are not allowed to vote it is your responsibility to understand to know what it means and obey the law to the letter.

If a Turk does it my response would be the same.

Hey dont look at me, Im not the one who brought up a race and generalized about said race. That was some other guy.

[internetkafe 0]

Well, what comes to mind when you hear 'illegal immigration'?

[TheWOAT 0]

I think of people who probably do not frequent this site, and its a term that has yet to be mentioned in this thread and has nothing to do with anything you have said prior.

In summation, Mexicans speak the 'Mexican' language, Mexican-Americans and naturalized Mexicans dont bother to learn English, and somehow this has something to do with illegal immigration. Where are you trying to go with this?

[sjoefl01 1]

What comes to my mind is that the USCIS has made this whole thing so needlessly difficult that it is shocking anybody is here legally.

It also surprises me that you are offended by being called a racist. It is my understanding that when you have a resentment against an entire race of people you know almost nothing about you are a racist. Maybe I am wrong.

Well, what comes to mind when you hear 'illegal immigration'?

[Jenn! 918]

Well, what comes to mind when you hear 'illegal immigration'?

I have respectfully requested you to stop dragging this thread off-topic more than once.

Enough.

Seriously.