The issue of illegal immigration has daunted the Untied States for many years. Currently, there are 11 million illegal immigrants living in the shadows. Comprehensive immigration reform can no longer be put off, Congress must act now. Last year, the United States Senate passed S.744 the ’Border Security, Economic Opportunity, and Immigration Modernization Act’ by a vote of 68-32. If this bill becomes law, Congress will have passed policies that will take large strides in fixing our immigration problem. Congress has attempted to pass flawed immigration bills in 2005, 2006, and 2007, all of which lacked the bipartisan support necessary to pass such a controversial bill. The current bill strikes a delicate balance between many of the issues important to both Republicans and Democrats. A few commonsense policies included in this bill are enhanced security and enforcement measures, a reformed legal immigration and visa system, and a raise in employment-based immigration.
Enhanced Security and Enforcement Measures
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS), U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), state, and local law enforcement all contribute to keeping our borders protected against illegal immigrants. 59% of likely voters believe that securing the border is more important than legalizing illegal immigrants. This is a popular view amongst Republicans as well, which leads to the implementation of “border triggers". These “triggers” must be implemented prior to the legalization of any illegal immigrants. The Corker-Hoeven amendment (also known as the “border surge” amendment) appropriates massive spending on border security. $46.3 billion will be invested into border security. The bill dedic...
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...mental to the nation and that it is a prime example of amnesty. The claim that this bill carries negative fiscal impacts has been proven false by the CBO in their reports. As stated earlier, this bill has positives impacts on American workers, the economy, and the budget deficit. Another common claim among critics is that this bill is purely amnesty. S.744 puts RPI’s through a lengthy and tough legalization process. In order to achieve RPI status, illegal immigrants must have not been convicted of a felony or more than 3 misdemeanors, pass background checks, and pay application fees, pay their assessed taxes and a $1,000 penalty. A rigorous 13 year process like this one cannot be labeled amnesty by any measure. Critics of this bill have been proven wrong time and time again, as they are slowing down the passage of a commonsense comprehensive immigration reform bill.
Obama Administration proposed what is called Comprehensive Immigration Reform. It is composed of six sections aimed at fixing the current immigration system. It includes enhanced border enforcement, interior enforcement and the most controversial section; an amnesty program to legalize undocumented immigrants. In other words, it creates a pathway to citizenship for unauthorized immigrants that is fair and feasible. Many argue that even though Comprehensive Immigration Reform is good for America because it addresses important issues like creating a committee to adopt the number of visas available to changing economic times, preventing people from working without permits and creating programs aimed at helping immigrants adjust to life in America. Yet it rewards violators of current U.S. laws who entered the country illegally, and those who entered the country legally but overstayed their visas. Opponents of the Comprehensive Immigration Reform proposal claim that immigrants have a negative impact on the economy; overwhelming social services of many states, and posing a threat to American workers as a result of big corporations exploiting immigrants with low wages and poor working conditions. With the recent economic downturn and the severe recession that hit the U.S, many individuals blame immigrants for their economic misfortune and lack of employment. For both the opponents and proponents of the Comprehensive Immigration Reform Proposal, for the millions of the undocumented immigrants and their families, and lawmakers; immigration has become an emotional political issue. Despite the resistance of many, America should embrace comprehensive immigration reform.
It has been nearly three decades since the last time Congress reformed our immigration system. From the Reagan era to the Obama administration, the country has undergone financial, social and political changes yet our immigration policies continue to be the same. Since the implementation of the last immigration reform in 1986, the United States government has spent nearly $187 billion ($220 billion when adjusted to 2013 dollars) in immigration enforcement agencies and programs alone (Meissner, Kerwin, Muzaffar & Bergeron, 2013). The high costs and the increasing public concern has led Americans to recognize the brokenness of our current immigration system and how it has not kept up with changing times. Research has shown 71% of Americans say undocumented immigrants should have a pathway to remain in the country legally (Pew Research Center, 2013). Although Congress and the White House have had numerous failed attempts to pass immigration reform in the past, H.R. 15 proposes an updated bipartisan system that can further secure the borders and solve problems surrounding immigration (Border Security, Economic Opportunity and Immigration Modernization Act, 2013.
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.
... 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.
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.
Immigration has always been a hot topic in America. There are many pros and cons, which makes it a delicate issue when it comes to debates. In an attempt to reform immigration, President Obama has issued an executive order that will overhaul the nation’s immigration system as we know it. The president’s changes will affect nearly 11 million undocumented immigrants who are currently residing in America. Focusing on 4 main changes, Obamas’ plan focuses on many aspects from enhancing border security to developing new processes in which workers can enter the country.
Immigration policies have been a hot-button issue for many years now, especially regarding emigration from Mexico. Politicians have started up campaigns promising to effectively end illegal immigration, claiming that it is the source of the United States’ unstable economy. However, similar plans have been enacted in a particularly vulnerable period, with little to no success, indicating that repetition would be a huge blow to both the economy and United States citizens.
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 Reform At this time, the United States has allowed more immigrants to enter the country than at any time in its history. Over a million legal and illegal immigrants take up residence in the United States each year. Immigration at its current magnitude is not fulfilling the interests or demands of this country. With the country struggling to support the huge intake of new comers, life in America has been suffering tremendously.
Ideas for capping immigration have been voiced in the past, but have not been heard. While some will argue legal immigration should have no restrictions, most Americans will agree illegal immigration is indeed a problem. With some 6 million people living in America illegally, and only 46, 750 deportations last year, a solution must take hold soon (Zarembo 26). President George W. Bush has been working on a plan to reform immigration that could make millions of undocumented workers legal. Bush may only open the application for legal residency to Mexicans, but nothing will be final for at least another year. As a result of negotiations, mayhem has broken out on Capitol Hill, with politicians pulling fiercely on both sides. Some believe this will trigger more ill...
One of the most controversial topics today in politics is what to do about illegal immigration in the United States. Should we consider all of the illegal immigrants felons? Should we give them full citizenship rights? These are all important questions related to illegal immigration. In 1986, the Immigration Reform and Control Act made it illegal for employers to knowingly hire undocumented workers and imposed fines of up to $11,000 for each violation. Recently, the United States House of Representatives passed a bill, entitled H.R. 4437 (The Border Protection, Antiterrorism, and Illegal Immigration Control Act of 2005). Just recently, due to massive overpopulation, the problem of illegal immigration is really starting to be taken seriously in our nation's capital. There is one thing that all sides of the debate agree on: that America needs to get tougher about controlling our country's borders. Up to 12 million people are living illegally in the United States today. This number is growing rapidly and is quickly overpopulating our own backyards. For these reasons, I believe that we should back this Act and should hope that the Senate will also agree.
In the United States, the central tenant of immigration policy reform is the meanly focused on the control over border security and protection from allowing illegal persons for crossing and residing in those states bordering
I would like to close the opposing arguments from a Senator from Texas. He said, ““I appreciate the good work that senators in both parties have put into trying to fix our broken immigration system. There are some good elements in this proposal, especially increasing the resources and manpower to secure our border and also improving and streamlining legal immigration. However, I have deep concerns with the proposed path to citizenship. To allow those who came here illegally to be placed on such a path is both inconsistent with rule of law and profoundly unfair to the millions of legal immigrants who waited years, if not decades, to come to America legally.” (Carioti) I believe he summed up the overall arguments of why we should not grant amnesty pretty
The first major concern regarding the borders for the United States is illegal immigration. In January of 2000, the INS estimated that there were 7 million illegal immigrants in the United States with the number growing by about 500,000 a year. Under the Bush Administration, funding has increased along main entry points, displacing illegal immigrants points of entry into the country. Yet the increase has displaced immigration to rural immigration points, causing many every year to die from starvation and heat stroke. Despite the harsh conditions, immigration has grown rather th...