Illegal Immigrants: Amnesty

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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. By enacting an amnesty act, it may give a boost to the dwindling labor force in this country. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the labor force participation rate (LFPR) is at 63 percent as of November; the lowest level since 1978. Since 2000, the rate has been declining as the baby boomer generation retires. The pattern will continue as the labor force rate will drop another percentage to 62 percent within seven years. By passing an amnesty bill to provide legal status for the 11 million undocumented people, it will surely offset the loss of participation in ... ... middle of paper ... ...grants, but rather showing support by offering them a possible pathway to become real Americans. Works Cited Aaronson, Daniel. "Explaining the Decline in the U.S. Labor Force Participation Rate." Chicago Fed Letter 296 (Mar. 2012): n. pag. Print. "A Nation of Immigrants." Pew Hispanic Center RSS. Pew Research, 29 Jan. 2013. Web. 6 Dec. 2013. Hinojosa-Ojeda, Raul. "The Economic Benefits of Comprehensive Immigration Reform." Cato Journal 32.1 (2012): 175-199. KnowYourVisa. Web. 6 Dec. 2013. "Labor Force Participation Rate." Bureau of Labor Statistics. United States of America, n.d. Web. 6 Dec. 2013. Linder, Joshua. "The Amnesty Effect: Evidence from the 1986 Immigration Reform and Control Act." Public Purpose9 (2011): 13-31. American. Web. 6 Dec. 2013. "Unemployment Rate." Bureau of Labor Statistics. United States of America, n.d. Web. 6 Dec. 2013.

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