Immigration: Improperly Inspired Illegal Immigration

Improperly Inspired Illegal Immigration
The current method for dealing with illegal immigration needs to change because it has destroyed the American economy. For example, it has been said that, "Worse, the argument goes, many [illegal immigrants] use social programs like hospitals and schools, that cost taxpayers and add to our $16 trillion national debt" (Davidson 2013). This statement shows that the United State's economy has been crippled by these inconsiderate illegal immigrants. However, despite the expansive predicament at hand, many solutions can put an end to mass illegal immigration. One such solution is to reform the path to citizenship in the United States. Another proposed solution is the deportation of all illegal immigrants.

Finally, southern border security must be increased to prevent inundated illegal immigration.
The most logical solution to the problem of illegal immigration is to reform the current path to citizenship.

The current paths to citizenship are: Green Card holder for 5 years, Green Card holder married to U.S. citizen, Green Card holder in the military and their family, and citizenship through parents (Path to U.S. Citizenship). In order to complete one of the stated paths to citizenship, the green card holder must meet eligibility requirements, such as, "Be 18 or older at the time of filing, Be a green card holder for at least 5 years immediately preceding the date of filing form N-400, Application for Naturalization, [etc.]" (Path to U.S. Citizenship). Donald Trump has already raised a call for reform in these areas. For example, when speaking on this topic, Trump said, "I believe that real and positive immigration reform is possible, as long as we focus on the following goals to improve jobs and wages for Americans, to strengthen our nation's security and to restore respect for our laws" (Tapper 2017). This quote from the president proves that reforming the immigration is a high priority on his agenda. He and his staff work for reformation for the betterment of the American

people.
The second and most drastic measure that may be taken to solve the immigration crisis, is to deport all illegal immigrants. "Deportation: (removal) is the act and process of formally removing foreign nationals from one country and returning them to their country of origin. The United States will deport foreign nationals if they violate U.S. immigration law" (Deportation). When the deportation process begins, the Department of Justice Immigration Courts hear related cases and in the case that a judge rules that the deportation proceed, ICE agents carry out the removal order (Deportation). The removal order will return the foreign national to the country of which they crossed into the U.S. illegally. Additionally, "Two memorandums signed by the Homeland Security Secretary John Kelly laid out a series of policies intended to increase immigration enforcement, speed deportations and discourage new asylum seekers... [and] will prioritize deportation of undocumented immigrants accused —not necessarily convicted— of all 'chargeable criminal offenses'" (Bencasselman 2017). These memorandums are self-explanatory and will speed along the entire deportation process.
The final solution to the illegal immigration predicament is to increase border security.

For example, Trump's administration has proposed that, "To enact the tough new polices, the DHS will hire 10,000 additional Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents" (Bencasselman 2017). These additional agents will strengthen the southern border along Mexico as well as speed up the deportation process. Furthermore, the hiring of more ICE agents will be followed by the construction of the southern wall; "The estimated average cost of the remaining segments of the border wall ranges from $15 to $25 billion, with each mile of fencing costing $16 million" (Summary of Executive Order 2017). The executive order signed by Trump also directs the DHS to "immediate[ly]...allocate available funds to build a contiguous, physical wall on the U.S.-Mexico border" (Summary of Executive Order 2017). Through securing the southern border, Trump will create more jobs and potentially stabilize the American

economy.
The three proposed solutions provide unique ways to solve the predicament at hand. The road to a reformed path to citizenship may take a long period of time while also using an expansive amount of American resources. In order to deport every illegal immigrant that resides in the United States, countless Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents will need to be trained and many resources be used to return the foreign national to the country that they crossed illegally immigrated from. Increased border security will create more jobs for border patrol and ICE agents, as well as construction jobs for the erection of the southern border wall. In order for any progress to be made, "There's got to be a coming together," as stated by one official, "If we are guided by the well-being of American citizens then I believe Republicans and Democrats can work together to achieve an outcome that has eluded our country for decades" (Tapper 2017). The official hit the nail on the head concerning those two statements, no progress will be made unless both parties work together for the betterment of the American people and to repair the American economy.