Diego Barrera
Jennifer Wiley
Writing 101 M 9:10-10:25
05/04/14
Immigration Reform in the United States
Immigration is one of the most debated topics in the United States. There is a lot of political debate over this very sensitive topic and politicians cannot seem to reach some sort of middle ground on the issue. It is also very evident that not everyone can be pleased with the decisions that are made because the opinion of more than 300 million Americans are being taken into consideration. According to CBO, commonsense immigration reform will lead to greater economic growth because it will add more high-demand workers to the labor force, increase capital investment and overall productivity, and lead to greater numbers of entrepreneurs starting companies in the U.S. (President’s Council of Economic Advisers). We did once have an immigration reform in the United States where many hard working immigrants who were illegally in the United States were a given residency permit by the federal government and this resulted in many families being reunited and given a better life and a chance at the American dream. Even though neither of the sides are completely correct, that is the Democrats or the Republican, there is some sort of middle ground that can be reached. With certain provisions and exceptions, a successful immigration reform could be implemented in the United States. In order to reach a successful immigration reform, political parties have to work out their differences, reform has to be very strict as to who qualifies for residency, and priority must be given to those who live just like any other U.S citizen. That is, those who are not citizens of the country, but still manage to be responsible economically and socially.
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...nship. Republicans on the other hand, have to open their minds and think of all the families that are being torn apart by deportations and by those who are hard working, honest individuals who have lived here for the majority of their lives. Yes, there are those who will try to cheat the system and will try to obtain citizenship even when they are not worthy of it. But, with proper work from federal government, this could be prevented. Immigration reform would be a huge step in the immigration problem in the United States, but first, politicians have to leave their differences aside for change to occur. “As a practical matter, immigration law should be something that is updated and revised constantly to reflect current economic and political conditions, to reflect changes in social issues, and to respond to foreign policy and humanitarian concerns” (Mary Giovagnoli).
The author, Jo-Ann Pilardi accurately writes about immigration in her article “Immigration Problem Is about Us, Not Them.” All Immigrants, whether they are legal or illegal know that having the chance to live in America, is a dream come true or in other words, “a chance in paradise.” America is known for its opportunities. Immigrants came to the United States for a very significant purpose. Their purpose and goal is to take advantage of the opportunities in the land known as, “the land of opportunity.” Immigrants did not come here to damage the country or to over burden its inhabitants. That author states, “Many of our political leaders talk hard line about immigration reform even though they know our country is mired in its demand for the
...e private sector to find new growth opportunities and create new jobs. Furthermore, America always has been, and always will be a country of immigrants. Despite that rich tradition, Congress has not updated the country’s immigration policies in three decades. However, Congress now has an opportunity to fix the immigration system and improve the economic well-being of all Americans. Failure to address the issue will have severe consequences for America’s future and well-being, and that is why how America reforms the immigration system will determine its future. The current immigration system is outdated, broken, and reveals that Comprehensive Immigration Reform is urgently needed, and is good for America’s workers and the economy. Despite the claims, complaints and the resistance of many, Americans should welcome, accept and support Comprehensive Immigration Reform.
“What makes someone American isn’t just blood or birth but allegiance to our founding principles and faith in the idea that anyone from anywhere can write the next chapter of our story.” - President Barack Obama. The United States is the melting pot of the world. The great country of American was built on immigration. Look around, so many people have ancestor that risked everything to come to the United States to make something of their lives, and the lives of their children. If it weren’t for immigration, we may not be where we are today. Immigration reform is the term used in political discussion regarding changes to current immigration policy of a country (Immigration Reform, para. 2). In 2013 the Senate passed the immigration reform bill that would give a path to citizenship to the estimated 11 million undocumented immigrants living in the U.S. If the government passed Immigration Reform there would be many benefits to our economy, and to the individuals looking for a better future. For example, immigration increases the efficiency of the U.S. economy, it enables entrepreneurs to come to America, it brings increased national security, and immigration reform can reduce the deficit (Furchtgott-Roth, 4
... great need to put a new policy into effect, which addressed the changing immigration issues of family, visas, workforce, citizenship and other legal matters. In June 2013, the U.S. Senate approved a policy called S.744 which is called “The Border Security, Economic Opportunity, and Immigration Modernization Act of 2013”. This reform bill will now be sent to the U.S. House of Representatives. The majority of the Republican Party is expected to oppose this bill. This reform includes, as Traurig and Reiff (2013) stated, “A path to citizenship for 11 million illegal immigrants, an innovative temporary worker program, increased visa numbers for skilled foreign workers, and a nationwide employment eligibility verification system”. One thing is for certain; we can all agree that immigration reform is a must. It is apparent that his bill is a step in the right direction.
Immigrants were first welcomed in the late 1700s. European explorers like Walter Raleigh, Lord Baltimore, Roger William, William Penn, Francis Drake, John Smith, and others explored to the New World for religious purposes and industrial growth. The first European settlers that settled in the late 1700s were the Pilgrims. After the Pilgrims first settled in Virginia, the expansion of immigrants started. Then in 1860 to 1915, America was growing with its industries, technology, and education. America’s growing empire attracted many people from Europe. The factors that attracted many people to the American cities where job opportunities with higher income, better education, and factory production growth. As the population grew in the American
There are many organizations, interest groups, coalitions who oppose an immigration reform. These anti-immigration groups, share common positions, they feel that immigrants pose a threat to them they could be terrorist, drug dealers and criminals; they also worry about the use of public help from the government which they pay (Messerli, n.d.). Anti-illegals claim that illegal aliens pose a national security risk, and that immigrants affect the wages of U.S legal workers (Introduction to Immigration Reform: The Ongoing Debate, 2006). Anti-illegals are not willing to give in to any type of reform; they feel that it would only magnetize more illegals to the country, in a cycle that never ends. However, Pro-amnesty activist have a completely different position, from Anti-illegals, Pro- amnesty discuss how a reform would be a great contribution to U.S economy. They feel that America is a diverse cultural place and should be accepting of other who came to look for a better opportunity, and that this land symbolizes a land of dreams. They support illegal aliens for desiring a better life for them and their families. Activists are in full support and pursing a fair reform for all the undocumented ...
Overall, its quite obvious now that democrats are for immigration where republicans are against it. “Republicans do not pass immigration reform this year, Democrats will not allow Republicans to pass their conservative version of immigration reform in 2015 or 2016, because they will have no incentive to allow Republicans to do anything that will allow the Republicans to make inroads with immigrant voting blocks [sic] heading into the presidential elections”
Immigration reform is one of the most active and discussed topics right now in American Politics. Mr. Speaker, you are being presented with a unique opportunity to embrace and lead the charge in this reform. The United States is a nation of immigrants. It was built and carried by people who migrated all over the world because they believed in the American Dream. The American Dream is not dead, and immigrants can and will continue to be an incredible positive side to this beautiful nation. But the truth remains, Immigration policies are incredibly outdated and xenophobic. As a nation, America is turning back not only on its foundation and history, but on its future as well. It is not too late to change this. America can return to the being the nation that embraces the tire and the poor and the ones yearning to breathe free. I urge you to aggressively pursue bipartisan Immigration reform this year with or without majority support from The Republican Party. It is a pressing issue that can determine whether The United States continues to be the dominant force in the world. Mr. Speaker you should pursue this immigration reform because Republicans need the support from the immigrants in future elections, it presents a viable platform to fix the issues with illegal immigration, and it can provide a better, more efficient way, to handle immigration in the future.
For over ten years, efforts to make changes to the United States immigration system have been put aside due to wars, attacks within our homeland and even worldwide financial crisis but it seems as though this being brought up more and more often. The history of the US immigration policy was more concerned with immigration enforcement over immigration reform. It was not until a few years ago that the US citizens voted they were tired of enforcement-only immigration policies and the pain they caused on immigrant families. So most feel now is the time to draw up new immigration laws that reflect American values and beliefs, and it ne...
Immigration is a word that everyone seems to have a significant opinion about. Immigration needs reform; I agree there is some negatives but yet there does not have to be discrimination, many say that illegals take American jobs but don’t know what hard labor they are doing. Immigration is a very important topic for me because my parents were born in Mexico and came to the United States for better living. My grandparents wanted their kids not to go through a rough and unstable living conditions as what they went through growing up. Most foreign families want to see their kids or grandkids to succeed in life to become better than them and won’t struggle on a daily basis.
This immigration reform should simply provide undocumented Mexicans the right to come to the United States of America, and give them the privilege to get their citizenship. There have been important people from the United States of America that believe that,“our immigration system is a broken system that needs to be fixed. We need reform that provides hardworking people of good character with a real path towards citizenship”(Immigration Reform Quotes). Right now, Donald Trump, who is running to be the president of the U.S., believes that a wall should be built across the Southern border, and the U.S. should send children and their families back to their homeland. Donald Trump has clearly not thought about how this can have a significant impact on our country economically, and how it can affect families and communities. Everyone should be treated equally and not be differentiated because of their status. Undocumented immigrants want a better life for them and their families; why can’t they just receive the U.S. citizenship opportunity? As President Obama believes, “This is not just a debate about policy, it’s about people, it’s about men and women and young people who want nothing more than the chance to earn their way into the American Story”
The question this research will attempt to answer is why an immigration reform is needed? One of the reason is that are more than 11 million of undocumented immigrants in the United States. Many people come all around the world with one dream in their hand and is to make better life for themselves and their families. Our immigration system needs to start to realize the hardships, and the contributions for those undocumented immigrants moving here. Trying to keep their families together here in this country, with the hope of creating a legal path or process of citizenship in the country. The same hope that will compensate the United States rather than create more expensive by trying to deport millions of people, and building a wall between two
Disputes from opposing groups will remain as policies are ever evolving, and immigrants flow from different parts of the world. By removing the bureaucratic "red tape" and a more streamlined process implemented to expedite work visas and a faster process to become a naturalized citizen would have a drastic effect on the number of immigrants entering the country illegally. A reasonable and comprehensible plan could be implemented to help immigrants sustain a better life, and the American dream could still be attainable. A successful immigration policy is to be very open to the right immigrants, who bring skills, energy and drive, and a culture and mindset that will promote assimilation and closed to the wrong ones who have no skills to share and little will to assimilate.( Palivos 44) The country would become better through culture improvement as the immigrant population has proven to be an essential need in today 's
Disputes from opposing groups will remain as policies are ever evolving, and immigrants flow from different parts of the world. By removing the bureaucratic "red tape" and a more streamlined process implemented to expedite work visas and a faster process to become a naturalized citizen would have a drastic effect on the number of immigrants entering the country illegally. A reasonable and comprehensible plan could be implemented to help immigrants sustain a better life, and the American dream could still be
...laws of immigrants. By reforming the laws we can allow more legal immigrants to move to our country. We will always have illegal immigrants but if we make the process for becoming legal easier, we should directly see less illegal immigrants in our country. This would cut down on the illegal and undocumented immigrants and allow more foreigners to have the opportunity to contribute to our economy. Many businesses are not going to like immigration reform. More limits on legal immigration will slow down job growth. Cutting down the amount of immigrants in the country will mean that they will have to spend more on higher qualified employees that are doing the same work that an immigrant was doing for less. So with an efficient plan on regulating who can enter and live in our country, we will in return be able to enjoy the many benefits immigrants can offer our country.