Immigration has always been a hot-button issue in the United States. But who knew that Justin Bieber - arguably Canada's most popular export - would someday be at the center of the debate?
Less than a week after it was first posted on the WhiteHouse.gov's "We the People" platform, more than 100,000 Americans have signed a petition asking the Obama administration to revoke Bieber's green card.
According to the petition, Bieber "is not only threatening the safety of our people but he is also a terrible influence on our nations youth. We the people would like to remove Justin Bieber from our society."
The petition follows the teen idol's recent run-ins with law enforcement. Bieber was arrested in Miami Beach on January 23 for driving with an expired license, driving under the influence and resisting arrest. The two former charges have since been dropped.
Earlier this year, police searched Bieber's Los Angeles residence in connection with an egg-throwing incident. Detectives are still investigating the alleged egg attack on Bieber's neighbor.
Now that it has crossed the 100,000 threshold, the "Deport Justin Bieber" petition has received enough support to merit official review by the White House.
While the White House must eventually provide an official response to the petition, the chances that Bieber will actually be earmarked for deportation are slim to nil, say legal exports.
Most immigration visas can only be revoked after an individual is convicted of a violent crime or a prison sentence that exceeds one year.
Immigration law aside, the White House is not expected to issue a response any time soon. In the past, it has taken more than two months for the administration to respond to petitions that called for the construction of a Death Star, and the cancellation of Jimmy Kimmel Live! Not surprisingly, both "pop culture" petitions were eventually dismissed.
This article is copyrighted by Travelers Today, the travel news leader
