Immigration in the U.S.
While immigration has played an important role in the building
and formation of America, new federal laws have resulted in mass
immigration. “America was primarily founded on immigrants,
however, immigration must be controlled legally, and immigrants
should be treated equally despite what country they come from.
America has the most liberal laws towards immigrants than any other
country.” Luis Barker, Chief Patrol Agent In-Charge, US Border Patrol,
El Paso, TX. Throughout history, Congress has enacted laws and has
had to amend them to control the flow of both legal and illegal
migration to the United States.
In 1948, legislation was first enacted in an effort to control the
number of applicants fleeing persecution; it permitted 205,000
refugees to enter the United States. In 1952, Congress set in place
major regulations setting parameters and quotas mostly for the
eastern hemisphere and leaving the western hemisphere unrestricted.
In 1953, congress was again faced with having to increase the
number of refugees from 205,000 to 415,000. In order to qualify as a
refugee one must have a well founded fear of persecution, not be
firmly resettled in a third country, and must not be an aggravated
felon. In 1965, the national origin’s quota system was abolished but
still maintained was the principle of numerical by establishing
170,000 hemispheric and 20,000 per country ceilings and a seven
1
category preference system. This system included the spouses of
lawful resident aliens, brother and sisters of United States citizens,
skilled and unskilled workers. To present date spouses and minor
children of US citizens are exempt any quota system. In 1980, the
refugee act removed them from the preference category and
established clear criteria and procedures for their admission. In
1986, Congress was faced with yet another national crisis which it
attempted to resolve by enacting the Immigration Reform and Control
Act (IRCA). IRCA was considered to be the most comprehensive act
which was to grant amnesty to those who had resided in the US
illegally since January 1, 1982, (2) created sanctions against persons
and companies that hired illegal aliens, (3) created the a new
classification of temporary agriculture and granted...
... middle of paper ...
...9,219,
Jamaicans, 9,887. According to reports by the US Border Patrol, 2,000
Cubans have arrived since October 1, 1998.
Since it’s enactment in 1965, The Cuban Adjustment Act has
fundamentally treated Cuban nationals differently than any other
national. This law provides Cuban nationals a “safe haven”, no
questions asked, do as you please in America. It is believed that the
Cuban nationals are fleeing a government of persecution, but in my
opinion, they are fleeing a government in economic shambles.
Despite the fact that their country is economically inept they
should be treated as any other person that comes to the country
illegally. Nonetheless, as soon as Cubans set foot on American soil
they are granted with employment authorization, can adjust their
status to lawful permanent status (green card) within a year, can
apply for US citizenship within five years, and government assistance
(welfare). All of these benefits without really knowing about their
backgrounds. For instance, a mass murderer in Cuba could set foot
on US soil and based on a honor system interview conducted by INS,
the person must be admitted.
While immigration has played an important role in the building
and formation of America, new federal laws have resulted in mass
immigration. “America was primarily founded on immigrants,
however, immigration must be controlled legally, and immigrants
should be treated equally despite what country they come from.
America has the most liberal laws towards immigrants than any other
country.” Luis Barker, Chief Patrol Agent In-Charge, US Border Patrol,
El Paso, TX. Throughout history, Congress has enacted laws and has
had to amend them to control the flow of both legal and illegal
migration to the United States.
In 1948, legislation was first enacted in an effort to control the
number of applicants fleeing persecution; it permitted 205,000
refugees to enter the United States. In 1952, Congress set in place
major regulations setting parameters and quotas mostly for the
eastern hemisphere and leaving the western hemisphere unrestricted.
In 1953, congress was again faced with having to increase the
number of refugees from 205,000 to 415,000. In order to qualify as a
refugee one must have a well founded fear of persecution, not be
firmly resettled in a third country, and must not be an aggravated
felon. In 1965, the national origin’s quota system was abolished but
still maintained was the principle of numerical by establishing
170,000 hemispheric and 20,000 per country ceilings and a seven
1
category preference system. This system included the spouses of
lawful resident aliens, brother and sisters of United States citizens,
skilled and unskilled workers. To present date spouses and minor
children of US citizens are exempt any quota system. In 1980, the
refugee act removed them from the preference category and
established clear criteria and procedures for their admission. In
1986, Congress was faced with yet another national crisis which it
attempted to resolve by enacting the Immigration Reform and Control
Act (IRCA). IRCA was considered to be the most comprehensive act
which was to grant amnesty to those who had resided in the US
illegally since January 1, 1982, (2) created sanctions against persons
and companies that hired illegal aliens, (3) created the a new
classification of temporary agriculture and granted...
... middle of paper ...
...9,219,
Jamaicans, 9,887. According to reports by the US Border Patrol, 2,000
Cubans have arrived since October 1, 1998.
Since it’s enactment in 1965, The Cuban Adjustment Act has
fundamentally treated Cuban nationals differently than any other
national. This law provides Cuban nationals a “safe haven”, no
questions asked, do as you please in America. It is believed that the
Cuban nationals are fleeing a government of persecution, but in my
opinion, they are fleeing a government in economic shambles.
Despite the fact that their country is economically inept they
should be treated as any other person that comes to the country
illegally. Nonetheless, as soon as Cubans set foot on American soil
they are granted with employment authorization, can adjust their
status to lawful permanent status (green card) within a year, can
apply for US citizenship within five years, and government assistance
(welfare). All of these benefits without really knowing about their
backgrounds. For instance, a mass murderer in Cuba could set foot
on US soil and based on a honor system interview conducted by INS,
the person must be admitted.