Pa. judge sentences 3 to learn English

[L.A. BRONCOS FAN]

Thu Mar 27, 2:16 PM ET

WILKES-BARRE, Pa. - A judge known for creative sentencing has ordered three Spanish-speaking men to learn English or go to jail.

The men, who faced prison for criminal conspiracy to commit robbery, can remain on parole if they learn to read and write English, earn their GEDs and get full-time jobs, Luzerne County Judge Peter Paul Olszewski Jr. said.

The men, Luis Reyes, Ricardo Dominguez and Rafael Guzman-Mateo, plus a fourth defendant, Kelvin Reyes-Rosario, all needed translators when they pleaded guilty Tuesday.

"Do you think we are going to supply you with a translator all of your life?" the judge asked them.

The four, ranging in age from 17 to 22, were in a group that police said accosted two men on a street in May. The two said they were asked if they had marijuana, told to empty their pockets, struck on the head, threatened with a gun and told to stay off the block.

Attorneys for the men said they were studying the legality of the ruling and had not decided whether to appeal. One of the attorneys, Ferris Webby, suggested that the ruling was good for his client, Guzman-Mateo.

"My client is happy," Webby said. "I think it's going to help him."

The judge sentenced the four men to jail terms of four to 24 months. But he gave the three men, who already had served at least four months, immediate parole. Reyes-Rosario remains imprisoned on an unrelated drug charge.

Olszewski ordered the three to return with their parole officers in a year and take an English test. "If they don't pass, they're going in for the 24 (months)," he said.

Olszewski is known for outside-the-box sentencing.

He has ordered young defendants who are school dropouts to finish school. He often orders defendants to get full-time employment. But he also has his staff coordinate with an employment agency to help them find the jobs.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080327/ap_on_re_us/english_or_jail

[cutthemdown]

Since you can't be a citizen without speaking English these 4 must be illegals. In that case they should be sent the frack home!!!!!! Man too bad we don't have a candidate who wants to be tough on immigration. Tancredo we hardly knew ya!!!!!!

[Los Broncos]

Since you can't be a citizen without speaking English these 4 must be illegals. In that case they should be sent the frack home!!!!!! Man too bad we don't have a candidate who wants to be tough on immigration. Tancredo we hardly knew ya!!!!!!

Yeah, i wish there was someone harder on immigration.

[orinjkrush]

the primary forcing function for our beloved wonderful melting pot is having the same language. learn english and speak it or take your culture home where you would prefer to be anyhow. hasta la vista baby. or press number 2 for spanish.

[L.A. BRONCOS FAN]

the primary forcing function for our beloved wonderful melting pot is having the same language. learn english and speak it or take your culture home where you would prefer to be anyhow. hasta la vista baby. or press number 2 for spanish.

If we keep heading in the direction Bush has been leading us (i.e., toward amnesty, work visas, North American Union, etc.) then one day soon we'll all wake up and it will be "press two for English."

[cutthemdown]

If we keep heading in the direction Bush has been leading us (i.e., toward amnesty, work visas, North American Union, etc.) then one day soon we'll all wake up and it will be "press two for English."

Yeah because Clinton did so much to crack down on illegals. Or Bush Sr, Or Reagan, Or Carter. The country has been let down by our govt when it comes to this issue. Also I don't see it changing anytime soon.

[L.A. BRONCOS FAN]

Yeah because Clinton did so much to crack down on illegals. Or Bush Sr, Or Reagan, Or Carter. The country has been let down by our govt when it comes to this issue. Also I don't see it changing anytime soon.

tsk tsk

Leave it to you to deflect to Clinton, et al, when Bush's record on illegal immigration is mentioned.

Of course, I can understand why you don't want the focus on Bush's championing of amnesty, work visas, and the North American Union (after all, it is an election year.)

[Swedish Extrovert]

Since you can't be a citizen without speaking English these 4 must be illegals. In that case they should be sent the frack home!!!!!! Man too bad we don't have a candidate who wants to be tough on immigration. Tancredo we hardly knew ya!!!!!!

I'd like you to show me where it says you cant be a citizen if you don't speak English.

As far as I know there is no recognized language in the United States.

[W*GS]

Of course, the fact that Clinton didn't do any more than Bush on dealing with illegal immigration gets a pass from LABF, because we all know that LABF spends all his time sucking Clinton's cock.

[Swedish Extrovert]

Okay I just looked it up... according to the U.S. Census Bureau, the United States recognizes English 'de facto' which means that it isn't official or recognized by law. Therefore you can still be a citizen if you don't speak English.

It didn't seem right, because I know that this nation was actually founded with the idea of freedom and escape - a "melting pot" of oppressed cultures, if you will.

It's a lot easier to argue and reson when the facts on your side.

[Beantown Bronco]

What country are you from?

What?

What ain't no country I ever heard of. They speak English in What?

What?

English, motherf*cker, DO YOU SPEAK IT?

[shakenbake]

Okay I just looked it up... according to the U.S. Census Bureau, the United States recognizes English 'de facto' which means that it isn't official or recognized by law. Therefore you can still be a citizen if you don't speak English.

It didn't seem right, because I know that this nation was actually founded with the idea of freedom and escape - a "melting pot" of oppressed cultures, if you will.

It's a lot easier to argue and reson when the facts on your side.

I am pretty sure when you go for your citizenship test they will ask you some questions in english and also have you read some things in english. You can't answer the questions or read the text you wont be able to pass the test. It might be different in some situations such as marriage, etc.

[Rohirrim]

The four, ranging in age from 17 to 22, were in a group that police said accosted two men on a street in May. The two said they were asked if they had marijuana, told to empty their pockets, struck on the head, threatened with a gun and told to stay off the block.

So, we have four (probably) illegal aliens in our country carrying out strong arm robberies, probably in a gang (stay off the block?) and our award winning judge sentences them to get GEDs, get jobs and learn English? And the defense attorney says, "My client is happy."

I'll bet he is. Hopefully this judge practices his fine art in a community that elects its judges.

[cutthemdown]

I'd like you to show me where it says you cant be a citizen if you don't speak English.

As far as I know there is no recognized language in the United States.

Language
Applicants for naturalization must be able to read, write, speak, and understand words in ordinary usage in the English language. Applicants exempt from this requirement are those who on the date of filing:

*
have been residing in the United States subsequent to a lawful admission for permanent residence for periods totaling 15 years or more and are over 55 years of age;
*
have been residing in the United States subsequent to a lawful admission for permanent residence for periods totaling 20 years or more and are over 50 years of age; or
*
have a medically determinable physical or mental impairment, where the impairment affects the applicant’s ability to learn English.

I doubt men in there early 20's meet any of the exemptions listed above which would make a person not have to learn English.

[BABronco]

I am pretty sure when you go for your citizenship test they will ask you some questions in english and also have you read some things in english. You can't answer the questions or read the text you wont be able to pass the test. It might be different in some situations such as marriage, etc.

I'm pretty sure you get to take the test in the language of your choice.

[cutthemdown]

So if you are born in the USA and decide you don't want to learn to read, write, or speak English yes you are still a citizen. A dumb one but nevertheless a citizen. If you are from another country, and you expect to be a citizen you have to learn English to become one. You don't have to be a poet but still it is the law. Did you think I made it up? Why not just go research for yourself instead of making yourself look stupid?

Sure there are loopholes for older immigrants, mental impairments etc, but really everyone knows that to become a citizen you have to learn a basic understanding of the English language.

[BABronco]

Language
Applicants for naturalization must be able to read, write, speak, and understand words in ordinary usage in the English language. Applicants exempt from this requirement are those who on the date of filing:

*
have been residing in the United States subsequent to a lawful admission for permanent residence for periods totaling 15 years or more and are over 55 years of age;
*
have been residing in the United States subsequent to a lawful admission for permanent residence for periods totaling 20 years or more and are over 50 years of age; or
*
have a medically determinable physical or mental impairment, where the impairment affects the applicant’s ability to learn English.

I doubt men in there early 20's meet any of the exemptions listed above which would make a person not have to learn English.

That's odd. My gf's family took the test in Norwegian not so long ago... at least thats what she told me. Btw they don't meet any of the requirements.

How new is that?

[cutthemdown]

I'm pretty sure you get to take the test in the language of your choice.

I know a girl from Brazil who said she had to learn English to pass the citizenship test. Learning English is fundamental to being an American.

[cutthemdown]

1. Are at least 18 years old and a lawful permanent resident ("green card" holder);
2. Have resided continuously in the United States, having been lawfully admitted for permanent residence, for five years immediately preceding the date you filed your application for naturalization, or
3. Have, after having been removed from conditional permanent resident status, based upon your marriage to a U.S. citizen, having resided in the United States for one year after the date the condition was removed;
4. Have resided continuously in the United States at all times after your application to the time and date of your admission for citizenship;
5. Have, during all periods of time referred to above, been and still are a person of good moral character;
6. Have no outstanding deportation or removal order and no pending deportation or removal proceeding;
7. Have the ability to read, write, speak, and understand simple words and phrases in English;
8. Have knowledge and understanding of the fundamentals of U.S. history and government;
9. Are attached to, and can support, the principles of the U.S. Constitution and can swear allegiance to the United States.

[cutthemdown]

That's odd. My gf's family took the test in Norwegian not so long ago... at least thats what she told me. Btw they don't meet any of the requirements.

How new is that?

It's current as far as i know. I'm not saying they won't give you the test in your native language. I'm saying you have to be able to understand basic English phrases to become a citizen. That has been a rule for a long time. You don't have to be fluent, you just have to understand some. How old were your G/F's family?

[Spider]

Yeah they learn to speak English , then they all will come here take our Jobs....

[BABronco]

It's current as far as i know. I'm not saying they won't give you the test in your native language. I'm saying you have to be able to understand basic English phrases to become a citizen. That has been a rule for a long time. You don't have to be fluent, you just have to understand some. How old were your G/F's family?

shes 18 her bro 22 and her rents bout late 40s. Simple misunderstanding I guess. Thought you were trying to say they make you take the test in English.

[cutthemdown]

I'm no immigration expert so I will digress to someone who knows more. I'm pretty sure though that learning english is one of the requirements to gain citizenship. I don't however have any idea what the test looks like or if it is in english only.