Is The Statue of Liberty a Lie? The issue of immigration has shaped the history of the United States throughout the years of its existence. People from numerous different countries have immigrated to America in search of a better life and new opportunities. While Americans often ponder whether immigration is a benefit to society, legislators have recently enacted many anti-immigration laws which have been enforced to keep control over illegal immigration. Many different positions exist concerning illegal immigration in the United States. Advocates for Proposition 187 would suggest that illegal immigration is greatly increasing the population of the country, crowding schools, and denying many basic rights to citizens. Opponents indicate that immigration laws are discriminatory and that there are simple solutions to the overall issue. Every different stance that is taken on the issue is bound to have consequences; therefore impossible to reach a consensus. Illegal immigrants have been a concern in the United States for many years. As the population grows larger, less space is available, particularly in California. Citizens from countries such as Mexico, Guatemala, and El Salvador flee to America with hopes of finding a stable job and a new home, but they are not always welcome. As more illegal aliens cross the borders, less jobs and educational opportunities are available for citizens of the United States. Some may argue that the rights of Americans should be served before those who enter this country illegally. In 1994, in the state of California, Proposition 187 was passed to ensure the security of America’s citizens. Proposition 187 denies public social services, publicly-funded health care, and public educati... ... middle of paper ... ...f immigration into the country. While immigration into America is encouraged and legal, the ever-present factor of illegal immigration is beginning to take its toll across the nation. Some states, such as California, believe strong measures must be taken in order to counteract the negative effects commonly associated with illegal immigration. However, such actions may not necessarily solve this ongoing problem in the United States, in fact, no permanent solution may exist. Perhaps a more reasonable solution may surface when legislators truly embrace the ideals set forth in the founding of our nation. Works Cited 1. Documentary = “Fear of Learning at Hoover Elementary” 2. Ono, Kent, and John M. Sloop. Shifting Borders. Philadelphia: Temple University Press, 2002. 3. “Bring Back Proposition 187.” Human Events 19 Aug. 2003: Vol. 59 Issue 28
The United States is in the midst of a major debate over immigrants and their place in our economic and political life. As during other times in our history, immigrants, are being blamed for causing or contributing to the social, economic and political ills of our society. Politicians from both major parties, at both the national and state levels, are promoting a range of punitive legislative proposals that single out immigrants for adverse treatment by the government. Many violate basic civil liberties principles.
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”).
Immigration has always and will always be an essential part of America’s demographic and cultural diversity. Our country was founded on the immigration of Europeans to the New World; without them our nation would not be as advanced as it is today. Over the past three centuries, America’s immigration policies have evolved, both positively and negatively. Although we are moving forward, several episodes in our country’s immigration policy have targeted and attacked certain ethnic or cultural groups. Throughout America there is disparity regarding attitudes toward immigrants. Policies fluctuate throughout the entire country, different states, and even major cities. As the United States moves forth, it is vital that we remember how crucial immigrants
To legalize or not to legalize, that is the question? The perception of immigration has become a crucial debate amongst anti and pro immigration groups. Many immigrants come to the U.S. in search of liberty, prosperity, and to fulfill the American dream (Illegal Immigration from Mexico, n.d.). However, illegal immigration is a growing concern in the U.S., with an increasing population of over 11 million as of 2012 (What are the solutions to illegal immigration in America?, n.d.). Immigrants may not know it, but they do pose both positive and negative influences on American citizens.
Most of the United States (U.S) is comprised of immigrants—including those who have migrated to the States from another country and those whose ancestors freely travelled to the States in search of a fresh start. Every year, the U.S. grants a limited number of people around the world the opportunity to immigrate to the States each year. As a result of the restriction, citizens from neighboring countries cross the border illegally. According to an article by Jens Manuel Krogstad, 11.3 million unauthorized immigrants reside in the U.S. in 2014. This whopping number has stirred controversy both politically and economically for America’s government officials. As a result, many people argue whether illegal immigrants should or should not be aided
Illegal immigration has become a controversial topic in politics within the US. Some believe that undocumented immigrants are vital to the U.S. economy because they take the jobs Americans do not want. Others however, have the opinion that undocumented immigrants should be punished for doing things illegally, arguing that undocumented immigrants are taking the jobs of the American people and taking abusing it by not paying taxes. Although there are speculations that support the claim that immigrants should be punished, there are several counterarguments that state why they should be allowed to stay. Undocumented immigrants are an important factor to the development of the United States of America, immigrants have supplied a widespread example
The issue of undocumented immigrants has been a huge debate in the 2016 Presidential Debate. The increase in undocumented immigrants to the US has Americans scared that the increase is more like an invasion, but there are so many other reasons on why it is better to keep our undocumented immigrant population than deport them. The fact they better our economy, by taking low end jobs, or increasing our GDP per capita by 4% is a great place to start(). Most Americans say that deporting the undocumented immigrants is in America’s best interest, but in reality, the undocumented immigrants help America and even Americans themselves.
Among many of the highly disputed issues in the United States, illegal immigration is near the top, as it is continually growing and must be brought to an end. The term “illegal immigration” is used to describe the migration of people into another country without the government’s permission. Due to the United States’ highly desirable lifestyle, illegal immigration is more common than many other countries in the world. Even before the Constitution was written, significant political and social idols, such as Benjamin Franklin worried about the outcome of immigration. His ideas were particularly towards the increase of German immigrants, for he would caution that “Pennsylvania will in a few years become a German colony; instead of their learning our language, we must learn their, or live as in a foreign country.” Although Franklin’s thoughts influenced a large number of people living in the country, the first hundred years of the nation were established with an open border (Hing). This would welcome foreign nationals displaced by the ravages of war or persecuted by totalitarian governments in hope of a better life. The fourteenth amendment, ratified in 1868, would establish the rights of citizens, or legally recognized subjects or nationals of a state or commonwealth, either native or naturalized (McClenaghan). Many illegal immigrants refuse to assimilate into their surroundings of which they have brought themselves upon. They also take a variety of unskilled jobs that citizens could use, but instead become unemployed. The concept of immigration is what allowed the United States to flourish in its early years to the present day; however, when it is done illegally, it can hurt the domestic tranquility and security of the nation, as we...
Immigration has quickly come to the surface as one of the United States’ major problems. More specifically, illegal immigration on the Mexican border. Everyday more and more people sneak across the border in hopes of a better life. Many Americans consider it to be a bad thing, but it is not. In some ways these people do improve our country. People of all ages, ethnicities, and backgrounds cross the border. Many are women and children looking to start over. About 175,900 immigrants enter the US every year from Mexico. Some things that come along with immigration are border militarization, amnesty, deportation, and the threat of terrorism.
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.
Immigration in the United States is a very sensitive topic. Trough out the years the government in the United States have been developing different reforms regarding immigration that unfortunately have not helped to provide a fair solution to illegal immigrants. Looking at the history of immigration it is palpable that over the years immigration laws undergo different ways. For instance in 1950, the Internal Security Act barred admission to any foreigner who was communist because it would be prejudicial to the public interest or would endanger the safety of the United States. Different reforms had contributed to the way that illegal immigrants are treated in the United States.
With an estimated 11.7 million illegal immigrants in the U.S. today, immigration reform has been a volatile issue that hasn’t been adequately addressed throughout the 21st century. With the last major overhaul occurring in 1986, when over 3 million immigrants were granted U.S. citizenship, politicians are saying another major overhaul is needed to address the newer generation of illegal immigrants. Legislations including the Border Protection, Anti-terrorism, and Illegal Immigration Control Act of 2005, the Comprehensive Immigration Reform Act of 2006, and the DREAM act of 2012 have all tried to address the depressing need for immigration reform but have failed due to lack of bipartisan support. Still, political leaders urge for immigration reform that is unlikely to pass with such divided political parties. Luckily, the solution was already passed in 1986 but hasn’t been sufficiently enforced for the past twenty years. In order to stop the flood of illegals crossing U.S. borders, the U.S. should enforce the law against hiring illegal immigrants.
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.
Immigration has played a major role in the economy of the United States, creating both deficits and surpluses in the U.S. economy. Arguments have been made that immigration brings more negative effects to the United States economy than it does positive, whereas on the other hand, people claim that immigrants have taken a major weight of the economy of the U.S. and has even allowed the economy to make significant growths. Considering the fact that the total accountable population of the U.S. is said to be made up of approximately 13% of immigrants, many arguments have been made for and against the entrance of immigrants into the United States. Immigration has effects upon the work force, the living conditions, the poverty rates, and other contributing
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...