Tony crossed the Mexican border with his family when he was eight years old because his family wanted a better life financially and educationally. Tony, who graduated from high school with a 3.8 grade point average, has missed several chances on scholarships because of his status as an illegal immigrant. Along with financial difficulties, his family has to live without their father because his father came earlier to earn money for their crossing which caused him to get deported from the United States. Tony, along with his two siblings, will have to wait twenty years to see his father again (Tony). They are not the only family, who has had these problems, and with Arizona’s new, immigration law, immigrants are required to have documents on them always, and police can stop whoever they think might be in the country illegally (Archibold). Although the immigration laws are in place to protect U.S. citizens, they can directly affect immigrants in a negative way and refuse them basic human rights.
Students who are unable to become a U.S. Citizen should not have difficulty, obtaining a quality education. States such as Georgia and Colorado ban in state tuition to illegal residents forcing them to pay out of state cost of tuition for the particular college (Finaid). Thomas Rudin, senior vice president for the College Board, stated that, "We absolutely believe it's important for opening up economic opportunities.” Federal legislation known as the Dream Act would allow illegal immigrants who entered the United States, when they were fifteen or younger and have been a resident for five or more years, to have conditional legal status when they graduate from high school (“College Board”). Even though this bill would help these stu...
... middle of paper ...
... breeze.com | News, Sports, Community Info. - Cape Coral Daily Breeze. 10 July 2010. Web. 11 July 2010. .
Thornburgh, Nathan. "Immigration: The Case for Amnesty - TIME." Breaking News, Analysis, Politics, Blogs, News Photos, Video, Tech Reviews - TIME.com. 7 June 2007. Web. 12 July 2010. .
Tony. "The Stories of U.S. Immigrants in Their Own Words." My Immigration Story - Home. Web. 06 July 2010. .
Usafis. "Make Green Card Lottery Application Process Simpler with Online Consulting Agencies." Article Directory Submit and Find Free Articles on A1articles. 31 Aug.
2009. Web. 06 July 2010. .
Humans have a never ending thirst for a better life, and a better existence for themselves and those they hold dear. Jose Antonio Vargas was sent away from the Philippines by his mother hoping that he would be able to achieve a better life, and be happy. In “Outlaw: My Life in America as an Undocumented Immigrant” Vargas is able to find his better life and happiness in America but also fear and anxiety. Vargas gives us a look into the life of an illegal immigrant the good, the bad, their achievements and their constant struggles. Very much like Vargas my father immigrated to America, but legally in 1986.
Illegal immigration has been an issue in this country since its founding. However, in recent years, more and more people are deciding that the conditions in their native countries are too dangerous and impossible to overcome, so they decide to take on the journey to try and enter the United States, “the land of opportunity”, without the proper documentation. In the novel Enrique’s Journey, by Sonia Nazario, we see first hand the expedition many of these people take in order to fulfill their dreams of helping the families they leave behind. Many of these people, like Lourdes and Enrique, come thinking that the “American Dream” will be easily obtained through hard work. Unfortunately, times have changed, and this promise of riches is no longer the norm. Those undocumented immigrants that are lucky enough to make it to the United States are faced with a harsh hit of reality when they realize that the perception they had build of America, with an abundance of jobs, is actually flooded by poverty and an unsteady job market.
The author mainly focuses on the struggles of a man, Kevin Villanueva, who was deported because he was an illegal immigrant in the United States. The author focuses on his story of getting deported back to Honduras and how much of a culture change it was for him. The author also focuses on the struggles that occur when he was deported back to Honduras. Throughout, Kevin describes his whole journey, from almost dying in the hot desert trying to cross the border the first time to getting deported and seeing the struggles that the people of Honduras faced everyday.
After reading The Book of the Unknown Americans, I realized how difficult immigrating to the United States can be. I am an immigrant also, so just reading the story makes me relate to many problems immigrants experience relocating to a different country. Immigrants often face many issues and difficulties, but for some it is all worth it, but for others there comes a point in time where they have to go back to their hometown. Alma and Arturo Rivera came to the United States to better their life, but also so that Maribel could attend a special education school. While Arturo had a job things had gone well for the family, but once Arturo lost the job and passed away the two of them had to go back because they felt that that was the best option for them. Reading this book made me realize how strong an individual has to be to leave their own country and relocate somewhere else not knowing if this will better your life or cause one to suffer.
To begin with some states allow undocumented students to go to college, all 50 states in the future should. Second only 18 states out of 50 states allow undocumented students to attend college. “Since 2001, 18 states have taken policy action to redefine eligibility requirements for in-state tuition that make undocumented students eligible” (Anderson). Luckily students in these 18 states can have help with financial aid and students there pay the same as residents in the state. Third residents in these states can continue their education after high school. Some states just allow in state tuition and other states have in state tuition and financial aid. Students in all 50 states should be allowed financial aid and in state tuition (Anderson). All states should allow undocumented students to attend college, not just 18 out 50...
Illegal immigration has been an ongoing problem in America for many decades. The form of law that currently governs the immigration process is, the Immigration and Naturalization Act, and it has been broken for many years as immigrants still continue to pour into the states illegally. The immigration acts enacted in the past that have been continuously modified leads up to the current policy that falls under the Incrementalism model. However, it is important to note that the current American Immigration system is broken and is in dire need of reform. There are 11 million people living in the dark and too many employers cheating the system by hiring undocumented workers in exchange for offering lesser pay. The current system is hurting the economy and bringing down our country as a whole.
In the first article, The Economic Benefits of Comprehensive Immigration Reform, Raúl Hinojosa- Ojeda argues that if the United States government moved from an ‘enforcement only policy’ to a comprehensive immigration reform, both individuals born in America and immigrants would increase benefits. The comprehensive immigration reform that Ojeda describes “legalizes current unauthorized immigrants and creates flexible legal limits on future immigration in the context of full labor rights…” (Ojeda page 175). Ojeda further argues that the current U.S. policy creates a wage floor, and if undocumented immigrants gain citizenship, the wage floor will rise, increasing the wages of all workers. The rise in wages cited in the 1986 Immigration Reform and Control Act (IRCA) states that a comprehensive immigration reform would increase consumer consumption and wages and would increase the creation of jobs and tax revenue. This is mainly based on the concept that IRCA was implemented during a time of recession, but was still able to raise wages and investments made by immigrants. Ojeda explains, through the example of the IRCA, it is estimated that comprehensive reform, over 10 years, would create 1.5 trillion dollars in United States gross domestic product (GDP) (176). However, they add that one of the issues with the IRCA, is the lack of flexible limits set on the number of workers allowed to enter the United States. In the 1990, therefore, U.S. labor demands were not met.
Undocumented students are becoming a growing outrage in the United States. It has been a constant battle amongst the students, the schools, and the Government. According to collegeboard.com, statistics shows that 65,000 undocumented students graduate from U.S. high schools each year (collegeboard.com).After graduating high school they face legal and financial barriers to higher education. This paper will address the importance of this growing outrage and discuss the following that corresponds to it.
Recently illegal immigration has become a very pressing issue among people. Many people around the borders are being greatly affected by the issue and think immediate action needs to be taken to put a stop to the issue. The Documentary Border War: Battle Over Illegal Immigration takes a stand on the issue using many examples of pathos, ethos, and logos to try and persuade people that illegal immigration is a very serious issue and we need to put a stop to it. This documentary follows the lives of people who have been affected by illegal immigration, and explains how they feel about the issue. Another way that people can look at the issue of illegal immigration is through the eyes of the immigrants, and the reasons why they might be trying migrate to another country. The documentary Wetback: The Undocumented Documentary focuses on the issue from this point of view. This documentary uses pathos and logos to show the lives and hardships of those people who are trying to migrate to a new country. Although Wetback used many examples of pathos and logos to show the struggles of the migrants, Border War did a better job showing pathos by following the lives of people who were affected by the illegal immigrants they were also very persuasive with ethos by following credible people.
An illegal immigrant, who works for their keep in an unknown country, contributes to taxes, stays out of trouble, and just wants a better life in a foreign country, on unknown land should be recognized for their contribution to that particular society. An illegal immigrant is a person who migrates to a different country in a way that is in violation of the immigrant laws of that country. Immigration has been a divided topic for many years in America- illegal immigrants are sometimes seen as a burden to America, but others view them as an economic savior. There are over 11 million undocumented immigrants in the United States and many Americans have mixed views about where there stance should be regarding citizenship. Illegal immigrants should be granted citizenship based on the United States need for e legalized workforce, the increase in tax revenues that would decrease the nation’s debt, and the boosting of America’s economy.
The United States is known to have one of the most accepting immigration in the world. It has contributed to the country's population growth as well as social change. However, the policy remains to be a controversy because of the topic that is illegal immigration. According to the Department of Homeland security in 2010, there are 10.8 million illegal immigrants residing among the 300+ million Americans. Since then, the number has grown to 11+ million people. The U.S. Congress has always sought to find the solution for illegal immigration, with amnesty being an option. If enacted, an amnesty will give unauthorized immigrants a path to legalization and eventually citizenship. The Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986 (IRCA) is a prime instance of amnesty, with some 2.7 million people gaining legal status during the Reagan office. With the immigration policy being contested in Congress, a solution to illegal immigration via amnesty should be considered as it may benefit the country's labor force and economy, control the influx of immigrants in the country, and provide the opportunity for the currently illegal immigrants to become productive members of America.
Jose talks about how he has dealt with things in the past which includes treatment such as the time when he went to the DMV to get his license, “I handed the clerk my green card as a proof of US residency, she flipped it around examining it. ‘This is fake she whispered. Don’t come back here again.’” (Vargas 3). Jose’s encounter with the clerk shows some of society’s hate towards immigrants which is shown by the clerk’s hostile language. Jose may have bypassed this in the future, but had lost many opportunities when he did not have a license. Jose’s calling was to be a reporter, but when he was offered internships, his undocumentation always held him back, “... She called back with the answer I feared: I couldn't do the internship.” (Vargas 30) Jose did however persevere in doing what he wanted but is among those few who beat the “system” unlike most
Some illegal families do not earn enough to provide everything for their children, so several illegal students become unable to attend college and only receive education up until high school. This only expands the number of unskilled workers in the United States. The aspiration for that to change sparked up with the Dream Act though, but will that lessen the cost of immigration? Competition for college is arduous enough already; the costs for tuition keep rising and almost every student is rushing for financial aid. Adding aid to about “1 million illegal immigrants” will end up costing “American taxpayers $6.2 billion per year” ("Dream Act Would Be Nightmare for America," B02). However, legalizing them and providing educational aid will benefit the economy in the long run, as it will increase the number of skilled workers over time. Still, it is something that will take great effort to reach, as some citizens might not agree. One school, The University of North Carolina allows illegal immigrants to admit if and only the undocumented immigrants graduate “from a U.S. high school, pay out-of-state tuition and do not get government financial aid” ("Educating Illegals," A10). Although it is a step for illegal immigrants to reach for something higher in their life, there remains the drawback of not being financially stable in the first place to pay for university. If other universities or colleges began to execute the same
...st an example of the family stories that I hear often in my community. The laws are the number one problem in the immigration issue. It is true that immigration should be monitored, and immigrants thoroughly investigated. This is especially apparent in light of 9/11/01. However, if legal immigration continues to be less than feasible for hungry children and families, illegal and thus unmonitored immigration will persist. Which in turn makes the application for permanent residence cards a painstakingly drawn out process. This then discourages good, hardworking, and taxpaying migrants from even applying for citizenship. The hole gets deeper and the web is spinning out of control. Complex problems come with complex solutions, and I only wish that more people would understand this and start looking at the broadness of the issue (particularly in border towns and states).
Many people dream about living in the United States, where immigrants can earn a living and have the same rights as you and me. But, for one man who had a wife and a son; the dream of being a U.S. citizen was unrealistic. He worked long days in hot summer weather to cold frozen winters. He walked far distances to get to his job, working in a nursery day to-night. He earned less than five dollars an hour and lived in a small rundown apartment. The conditions in his job were tiring and dangerous. Always scared of being caught and deported back to his country, and he worried,”What will become of my wife and son if that happened?” He wanted his son to experience the “American Dream” and the joys and happiness of earning a living and having the