Immigration Amnesty in America
One of the United States biggest political issues since the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986 has been illegal immigration and amnesty. In 1986 Ronald Regan passed the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986 which changed the issue on illegal immigration forever. This bill required “legalization of all undocumented aliens who had been continuously unlawfully present since 1982, legalization of certain agricultural workers, sanctions for employers who knowingly hire undocumented workers, and increased enforcement at U.S. borders” (U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services). Amnesty is a touchy subject. Politicians quite frequently change their opinion on amnesty. Amnesty (specifically immigration amnesty) is when someone is granted legal status that is present in the country illegally allowing them to work and live in the country (Spalding). As seen in the recent presidential debates this is a very controversial and touched upon issue. Many people are familiar with this issue with Donald Trump’s wall concept. Illegal immigration has caused a burden on the United States and illegal immigrants should not be granted amnesty.
The amount of reasons against illegal immigration and amnesty are endless, however there are a few that stand out. One of the leading burdens connected to illegal immigration would be the economic burden it imposes. There are many different aspects economically how illegal immigrants add up debt. For starters there is just the general benefits they receive minus the taxes and that adds up. According to Robert Rector “this generated an average annual fiscal deficit of around $14,387 per household. Under current law, all unlawful immigrant households together have an ag...
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... They broke the law and should be punished not rewarded.
Illegal immigration has caused a burden on the United States and illegal immigrants should not be granted amnesty. Although some people may have their reasoning behind coming to this country, unless they come through with the proper procedure then it is illegal. Illegal aliens need to be held responsible for their actions. In order to make this a better country and lower the national debt a few procedures must be followed. One of those procedures being cracking down on immigration and banning amnesty. Whether the illegal immigrant causes an economic burden, an increase in crime incidences, or has been granted amnesty, they are messing up the governmental system. The United States is the greatest country in the world and it plans on staying that way by following through with the ideas presented in this essay.
The United States was formed by the immigration of many people from all over the world. Americans take pride in knowing that we are a people of vast ethnic backgrounds and culture. However, at the present time, the flow of illegal immigration, as well as a large influx of other legal immigrants is placing a strain on our land of "huddled masses." Legal immigration to the United States can easily be handled and is welcomed by most Americans. However, the flow of illegal immigrants, especially from Mexico, must be stemmed, due to the strain it is placing on the government, (at the local, state and federal level), as well as the general population. Illegal immigrants are costing the United States over 24 billion dollars a year in taxpayers money (National Review 12.13.93). Something must be done to reduce the flow of illegal immigration into the United States. The focus of this paper will be the problems caused by and possible solutions to the problem of illegal immigration.
Some viewpoints assert that if a person is in the United States illegally, he should have no rights and no benefits. Proponents justify this position by blaming illegal immigration for economic hardships, such as increasing health care costs, for the American people. This attitude is simply inaccurate. Many undocumented immigrants do contribute to the economies of the federal, state and local governments through taxes and can stimulate job growth. However, the cost of providing healthcare impacts federal, state, and local governments differently.
Among the problems that face our nation, illegal immigration seems to be one of the most regarded. “In 2005, there were 12.7 million people classified as refugees in the world. Refugees are forced to migrate because of danger in their own country.” (Cath Senker 12) Some push to end it while others want to have it legalized or less strict. There are many points that are argued on this topic. Although immigrants support the economy, they should have to pay taxes. Illegal immigration should be stopped or slowed until the legalization process and borders are improved. Due to the fact, that taxpayers are the backbone of our economy and nation as a whole.
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.
Probably the largest contribution that immigrants given America’s economy - whether they are illegal or legal - is that they spend the money that they earn and put it back into the economy (Davidson). According to Costa, Cooper, and Shierholz, “immigrants’ share of total output was about 14.7 percent over 2009-2011.” This is true even though they make up 13 percent of the total U.S. population, because a majority of immigrants are working age, compared to the diverse ages of the general U.S. population (Costa, Cooper, Shierholz). Another point that is brought up in “An Immigration Stimulus: The Economic Benefits of a Legalization Program” is that if the U.S. legalizes more “illegal” immigrants, they are then able to earn more. When Immigrants are able to earn more, they can then pay more in taxes, and their ability to spend more money to put it back in the economy grows (“An Immigration Stimulus: The Economic Benefits of a Legalization Program”). And on the point of Social Security, illegal immigrants have contributed $15 million a year to the Social Security Trust fund. And while they are contributing such a large amount to Social Security, very few of them are able to get the benefits from it (Davidson). So as a group, they are giving much more into the Social Security system than they are taking out. After taking into account all of
The mass deportation of undocumented immigrants categorizes them as second class citizens. People assume they provide a burden to society, and many policy makers have taken steps in order to oust them. The first being IIRIRA. In reality undocumented people have every right to be here. The economic slump of their native countries is a consequence of US actions and policies, and undocumented workers provide a great economic benefit to the US. In “Border America: illegal but essential, experts say undocumented immigrants are a driving force in the economy despite a toll to public services and unskilled workers,” by David Streitfeld the benefits undocumented workers provide for the economy are outlined. Streitfeld writes that economist agree that undocumented workers contribute to consumer spending and instead of replacing workers actually create jobs. Undocumented workers have a negative stigma that they misuse resources and steal jobs from citizens, but they do the opposite. The influx of undocumented workers has stimulated the
“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
While some argue that illegal immigrants burden the United States of America and its economy, others believe that they have become essential and are an important part of the US, economy. Illegal immigration has helped in the nation’s economic growth by enabling businesses to prosper, as the illegal immigrants have provided cheap labor and long hours of hard work. Businesses benefit from illegal immigration by saving a large amount of money since they are not providing insurance, both medical and retirement plans for their illegal workers. This results in a lower production cost for the companies and lower prices for goods and services for everyone. Although illegal immigrants may not contribute directly to the economy of the nation in the aspect of paying taxes like income tax, they contribute to the economy in the form of sales taxes by purchasing the supplies they need in the same way native citizens or legal immigrants do in order to survive and live comfortably....
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.
Immigration is the greatest part of American history. In the beginning, Immigrants brought a vast variety of cultures and beliefs and turned America in to the beauty it is today. Immigrants are still doing this. However, the issue with immigration can be it 's illegal status. Many undocumented immigrants are entering this country causing questions among the American citizens. Rather than asking if this is right or wrong, a solution can be found. Illegal immigrants come here for a purpose and can be helped with this purpose. Most come fleeing persecution, although some come here for more demented reasons. Those, illegal immigrants will be done away with. However, Those immigrants who come here for pure reasons need to be taken Care of in proper
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.
A topic crucial to the world today is illegal immigration. Illegal immigration is when people live in a country without permission from the government, nor have any legal documentation. As more and more illegal immigrants enter the United States, it either upsets some people, or others feel like they should just grant them ability to pursue life, liberty, and happiness because that is what the Constitution says. Some people feel that illegal immigrants should be protected by the same rights and laws as American citizens. On the other hand, many people believe that this is a horrible mistake. They feel that the rights of citizenship should be earned and not extended to people who haven broken the law just by being in the United States.
Considering the ideas that both authors have brought to the table, I have concluded that in order to make progress in solving the problem of undocumented immigrants, we as a country must decide what’s best for our country. We either look at undocumented immigrants as an asset or a parasite. America is the ‘land of opportunity’ where millions of people want to live there and pursue the ‘American Dream’. We should not let people stop from achieving their dreams. But on the other hand, a quantity of immigrants leave their country because it does not have “stable democracies and free markets” that “ensure economic growth, rising standards of living and thus, lots of jobs”, because the countries of these immigrants “birth rates and native populations fall”.
Once they realize resources are being consumed more than the production rate, implementing new laws to produce more resources can easily be done. Also, legal immigrants pay taxes, meaning the government receives more funds when immigrants are coming legally. With more funds, the government can provide better to the needs of citizens, eliminating the fear of running out of resources. Another argument is that immigrants who are living in a country illegally are wasting the government’s money. An example is that the children of illegal immigrants attend schools that are funded by tax paying citizens, the loss of money could go to getting new books rather than to be given to students who do not pay taxes ("Negative Effects of Illegal Immigration").
While immigration for our country is good, the ability to become a legal citizen has become insanely hard, therefore leading immigrants to illegally cross our border, which negatively impacts our country. Immigration is positive for our country’s economy, although illegal immigration is negatively impacting our country. Resolved to join the American way of life, a large number of outsiders have ventured to this extraordinary land to have an existence based upon “life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.” Determined to join the American lifestyle, thousands of immigrants have journeyed to this great land to have a life based upon “life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.” This country’s backbone is immigration and it started when this country was made.