They are NOT undocumented! Stop saying it!

Someone who has crossed a border and whom border patrol has let out into the US, is documented, they have a document from the government  to prove border patrol let them through.

Someone getting a paycheck and paying taxes is not undocumented, they have a worker’s permit that is a document from the US government.

Someone going through the legal process and making their required meetings has documents from the government they are not undocumented.

The way ICE agent knows where and whom to look for as immigrants is through that very same documentation!

You cannot buy a house in the US if you have no documentation.

You cannot rent a house or an apartment legally in the US if you have no documentation.

You cannot have a salary-based job (monthly paychecks) in the US if you do not have documentation

You cannot pay taxes if you are undocumented!

The ones that are undocumented? Are caught by accident. Those are the ones that have slipped past border patrols, get paid cash. And guess what, even if undocumented does not mean they are criminals.

Being a non-resident and being a non-citizen does not equate being undocumented!

Being documented means in this context that the government knows you are in their country, they know your address, where you work, you name is registered in their databases. Most of the folks being detained and deported are in fact documented, no matter how they got here in the first place which may be legally or not legally.

The fact of the matter is (I say again) that this is the system that is in place for them to proceed to try and get a residency or citizenship, they are doing it the “right way”.

This narrative being taken up by all sides saying “well sure they can take the criminals” or “but just because they are undocumented” needs to freaking stop at least on our side.

Now if you want to fix the convoluted, outdated system that is the immigration system, simplify it

For those already here:

Step 4 — Anyone in the US for over 10 years, that has had no major problems with the law, meaning speeding tickets and jay walking don’t count, give them citizenship.

Step 3 — Anyone here between 5-10 years give them residency; if they have a steady job, no legal problems, then at 10  years citizenship.

Step 2 — Anyone here between 0-5 year TPS – Probation period, you need to learn English, hold down a job and keep your nose clean.

For those wishing to come here:

Step 1 — The border is close, if you want to try your luck in the US apply through the embassies and consulates that the US has in your home country, this means those places need to have places for those trying to escape persecution to live until their cases are heard.

Problem solved.

This is to be read in reverse I added the step #’s to clarify.

Those here who slipped unnoticed through the borders, and who have not started any type of process, should be decided on a case to case basis.  They can be sent to step 1 to start over or maybe step 2 with extenuating circumstances.

Voter ID

Issue passport or passport cards, or ID’s at birth, just like social security numbers. For free

Renew them each 5 years until majority. Again for free

As of 18 renew automatically every 10 years and register them automatically to vote.

Voting and ID problem solved. (whether they vote or not is up to them)

Stop complicating life so much.  

#TheAmericanHaitianPoet

Muriel Vieux – February 4^th, 2026 – ©All rights reserved

Paypal.me/murielvieux