Reform Immigration Laws in the United States

1293 Words3 Pages
bulb-icon

Recommended: Illegal Immigration and Its Effects on the US economy

Current status of immigration in this country is totally out of control. Current immigration laws are not being enforced properly, borders are not fully protected and as a result the quality of life has negatively impacted the United States. In the 1980’s, there were 9,000 illegal immigrants that were imprisoned in the federal and state prisons, which currently is overloaded. Today, 352,000 are in prison under overcrowding conditions. Of these hundreds of thousands of immigrants that have been imprisoned, 27,000 have committed repeated crimes. According to discoverthenetworks.org, “In Los Angeles, 95% of homicide warrants are issued for illegal immigrants. In addition, California, 60% of Hispanic gangs are composed up of illegal immigrants”(p.1). In Nevada, 80% inflow of drugs come from Mexico. Most of the drugs were trafficked by illegal aliens. As a result, the enforcement oversight of illegal immigrants costs the tax-payers in excess of $1.6 billion per year. However, all of these immigration issues could be prevented if the Congress of the United States can reform immigration. Although increasing the government budget is my biggest concern, there are other arguments that point to this mandatory solution as well. History of immigration is an important factor that can guide the future for an effective legislation.
Successive waves of U.S. immigration were derived by the colonial society from all corners of the globe. Major waves of immigration occurred from 1830-1880 who were Northwestern Europeans and also 1880-1920, which was Eastern and Southern Europeans(Sue Lecture). Over years, public and political attitudes towards this have been emotionally mixed, paradoxical and to a greater extent, it has downright been hostile. ...

... middle of paper ...

...d workers(Sue Lecture). This is totally unfair towards undocumented workers who work hard everyday. Government incentives include examples such as medical care (emergency care and life-saving situations) bi-lingual education, Medicare, Medicaid, social security benefits, welfare benefits, food stamps and housing(Sue Lecture).
The fourth item is to require all undocumented workers to come out and register with the local authorities and earn a legal status. The fifth item is to develop a roster that the newly declared immigrants can assist the American business stay competitive in the global marketplace. In summary, the best way to solve the immigration problem is to have Congress take up the immigration reform bill in the next congressional session and provide a mechanism to integrate the immigrants in the 21st century economy by maximizing the human labor force.

Show More
Related

  • Undocumented Immigration Essay

    1688 Words  | 4 Pages

    as the leading economy in the world. As a result of a continued growth in population, there is a need of an increased workforce or professionals to offer services to the population. The sectors that might be affected because of increase in population include the health sector, education and R&D. By providing legal status for immigrants to work, the country will have enough human capital to use in the aforementioned sectors since the native-born professionals alone cannot serve an ever-increasing population in the United States (Becerra, Androff and Ayon 112). Providing legal status to undocumented immigrants in the United States is important in terms of the economy realizing maximum output.

    Read More

  • Analysis Of Not Like Us

    989 Words  | 2 Pages

    Daniel, Roger is a highly respected author and professor who has majored in the study of immigration in history and more specifically the progressive ear. He’s written remarkable works over the history of immigration in America, in his book Not like Us he opens a lenses about the hostile and violent conditions immigrants faced in the 1890’s through the 1924’s. Emphasizing that during the progressive area many immigrants felt as they were living in a regressing period of their life. While diversity of ethnicity and race gradually grew during this time it also sparked as a trigger for whites creating the flare up of nativism. Daniel’s underlines the different types of racial and ethnical discrimination that was given to individual immigrant

    Read More

  • From Immigrants to Americans - Immigration Experiences from 1865-1990

    2724 Words  | 6 Pages

    Immigration has existed around the world for centuries, decades, and included hundreds of cultures. Tired of poverty, a lack of opportunities, unequal treatment, political corruption, and lacking any choice, many decided to emigrate from their country of birth to seek new opportunities and a new and better life in another country, to settle a future for their families, to work hard and earn a place in life. As the nation of the opportunities, land of the dreams, and because of its foundation of a better, more equal world for all, the United States of America has been a point of hope for many of those people. A lot of nationals around the world have ended their research for a place to call home in the United States of America. By analyzing primary sources and the secondary sources to back up the information, one could find out about what Chinese, Italians, Swedish, and Vietnamese immigrants have experienced in the United States in different time periods from 1865 to 1990.

    Read More

  • The Burdens of Illegal Immigrants and Illegal Immigration

    1044 Words  | 3 Pages

    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.

    Read More

  • Comprehensive Immigration Reform Essay

    2798 Words  | 6 Pages

    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.

    Read More

  • The U.S. Needs Comprehensive Immigration Reform

    2920 Words  | 6 Pages

    A new immigration reform will stimulate economic growth, nurture innovation, secure borders, strengthen families, and build flexibility in immigration law. This policy brief discusses how the passage of H.R. 15 will benefit the United States of America while also examining the need to reform our current immigration system. H.R 15 was purposefully written by the National Democratic Caucus to accommodate the views from the Democratic and Republican Party; thus, allowing room for compromise.

    Read More

  • Illegal Immigration in America

    1545 Words  | 4 Pages

    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.

    Read More

  • The Effect of Illegal Immigration on the US Economy

    892 Words  | 2 Pages

    The United States of America, being a country founded by immigrants, is known all over the world as the land of great opportunities. People from all walks of life travelled across the globe, taking a chance to find a better life for them and their family. Over the years, the population of immigrants has grown immensely, resulting in the currently controversial issue of illegal immigration. Illegal immigrants are the people who have overstayed the time granted on their US, visa or those who have broken the federal law by crossing the border illegally. Matt O’Brien stated in his article “The government thinks that 10.8 million illegal immigrants lived in the country in January 2009, down from a peak of nearly 12 million in 2007.”(Para, 2) 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.

    Read More

  • Immigration Reform Essay

    1504 Words  | 4 Pages

    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...

    Read More

  • Immigration in the United States

    1133 Words  | 3 Pages

    The United States has often been referred to as a global “melting pot” due to its assimilation of diverse cultures, nationalities, and ethnicities. In today’s society, this metaphor may be an understatement. Between 1990 and 2010, the number of foreign born United States residents nearly doubled from 20 million to 40 million, increasing the U.S. population from almost 250 million to 350 million people. With U.S. born children and grandchildren of immigrants, immigration contributed to half of this population growth. These immigrants, consisting of mostly Asian and Hispanic backgrounds, have drastically changed the composition of the U.S. population. In 2010, Asians and Hispanics made up 20 percent of the U.S. population, in contrast to a 6 percent share of Asians and Hispanics in 1970. It is predicted that by 2050, the share of immigrants in the United States will increase to one half of the entire population. With this rapid increase in diversity, many citizens have opposing views on its impact on the United States. In my opinion, an increase in immigration does contain both positive and negatives effects, but in general it provides an overriding positive influence on America’s society (“Population”).

    Read More

  • Persuasive Essay About Immigration

    1047 Words  | 3 Pages

    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

    Read More

  • The United States and Illegal Immigration

    1096 Words  | 3 Pages

    Illegal immigration was an issue in the past and is a pressing problem in the present. The U.S. Government has been trying to find a resolution to this issue for years. The United States approved the Immigration Reform and Control Act in 1986, which allowed the American Government to punish American companies that consciously employed illegal immigrants (Nadadur 1037-1052). The United States’ Government Immigration Reform and Control Act has been unsuccessful in controlling illegal immigration. It is estimated that illegal immigration into the U.S. has a yearly interval of three hundred fifty thousand people (Rousmaniere 24-25). It is apparent that the 1986 act was not able to keep a handle on illegal immigration. Illegal immigration continues due to the fact that immigrants only take the jobs available to them, which in turn helps support the United States’ economy, so measures should not be taken to halt immigration.

    Read More

  • Argumentative Research Paper About Immigration

    1615 Words  | 4 Pages

    There are currently 11.7 million immigrants living in the U.S. The United States is now again being named the land of immigrants. The new century has been introduced to the illegal immigrant. They are desperate to get into the American culture and are forced to disobey the laws of government to assimilate themselves in America. People come over because they have family, jobs or want a better life. This may cause some problems for Americans. Certain Americans believe immigration will cause the economy to drop, drop to wages, and job loss due to cheap labor, etc. But no one has thought of a solution for immigration that will work effectively.

    Read More

  • Immigration Argumentative Essay

    749 Words  | 2 Pages

    People against illegal immigration think jobs are being lost, and this group has a growing voice in politics. The opposition against illegal workers feels it is eliminating opportunities for those who are already citizens. By permitting illegal immigrants to infiltrate this country, ignoring all of the procedures and systems that are in place to regulate it, it is indeed committing an unfair and biased way of dealing with immigrants. (West 428) The legalization of illegal workers currently in the U.S. is not a good resolution to the illegal immigration issue because it is not a durable solution.

    Read More

  • Argumentative Essay About Illegal Immigration

    890 Words  | 2 Pages

    Although the truth is that these illegal immigrants are taking legal citizens jobs. As illegal immigrants acquire jobs, they take place in legal workers jobs, leading to the average wage going down for the rest of the legal work force because illegal immigrants get paid significantly less. The United States is a democratic nation and is dependent on the citizens to help out with the making and following of laws and policies.

    Read More

More about Reform Immigration Laws in the United States

Open Document