Illegal Immigration

Illegal immigration
America has been known as the land of opportunity and makes it possible for anyone to live the American dream; however, nothing comes easy. As of now there are over eleven million illegal immigrants living in the United States with an estimated 1400 new illegal immigrants arriving daily (Katel 1). With so many immigrants currently taking resident in the United States, it is impossible to deport all of them. Although coming into this country illegally is wrong these immigrants are trying to make a better life for themselves. Contrary to belief illegal immigrants are a beneficial asset to America and should have the right to become legal citizens of the United States through the Pathway to Citizenship proposed by President Barack Obama. Illegal immigrants flea their homeland and come to America to create a better life for them and their families. Most are forced to leave because of dangerous circumstances such as no work, famine, war or a radical government. Whatever the reason, illegals make an effort to establish a better life and therefore should not be denied by the United States. Maria and Juan Gomez from Mexico worked farmland from dawn till dusk, scavenging food from what little money they had. Maria and Juan left Mexico ten years ago and now reside in a Latino community outside Washington D.C. and are working laborious jobs to provide a better life for their son that typical Americans would not do. Juan charges unbeatable prices for his landscaping work as does Maria for her housekeeping; they provide a good service for less money (Katel 1). America thrives off cheap Labor. Many people have distain toward illegal immigrants because they believe that illegals steal jobs from Americans, however illegal immigrants fill jobs that many of us do not want (Katel 1). Illegal immigrants actually only make up five percent of the entire U.S. work force so it is impossible to argue that they are attempting to steal 95% of people’s jobs (Katel 1 ). Although many blame illegal migrants like Maria and Juan for depressing wages and over using welfare services, most illegals arrive to this country in a healthy state since they will be doing laborious jobs to survive and take very little away from welfare services (Dudley 81). The U.S. Government refuses to tighten up borders because of the increasingly high demand for cheap labor (Katel 2). Illegal immigrants are not necessarily a deficit to this country; overall working illegals increase the nation’s income (Hanson 1). Also immigration stimulates surplus income for the nation even though they may decrease wages for some workers (Hanson 1). Immigration is a game of supply and demand; eleven million migrants increase the supply of labor thus increasing the production of resources that is complimentary to labor (Hanson 1). For instance, increasing the amount of workers that cultivate fruit and vegetables, which are jobs done by illegal migrants because they are inexpensive will increase the output of such perishable goods with the end result of lower consumer prices (Hanson 1). This increase in output is coined the term “immigration surplus,” the yearly immigration surplus of the United States as of 2004 was 0.2 percent GDP however it is fact that illegal migrants do not cause a deficit in the nations income but actually contribute (Hanson 1). Although illegal immigrants stimulate our economy having eleven million enter this country illegally is a problem. The white house is drafting a comprehensive immigration bill that will offer the eleven million illegal immigrants a legal “pathway to Citizenship” (Shear 1). While President Obama has already drafted his own bill of reform he wants a group of bipartisan lawmakers to create their own and also tighten borders and provide employers with a way to confirm the Citizenship status of workers (Shear 1). Obama remains patient with the progress on Capitol Hill but urges that if lawmakers procrastinate then he will submit legislation himself (Shear 1). When president Obama was re-elected to his second consecutive term he put immigration reform at the top of his priority list. Obama’s reelection was thanks to the drastic amount of Hispanic and Asian voters (Nakamura 2). There is always an incentive for the president to be so inspired, the Democratic Party sees immigration reform as a sea of new voters and republicans view it as a vast amount of cheap labor crossing the border (Katel 2). Obama has promised that he will not settle for a bill that does not include Citizenship for illegal immigrants as a key aspect (Nakamura 2). Guidelines of the Pathway to Citizenship are rough but offer illegal immigrants amnesty and legal residence after a long road. Obama’s bill states that illegal immigrants can become permanent residents of the United States within eight years. During that time period they may apply for a “Lawful prospective immigrant” visa (Shear 1); the visa is equivalent to a probationary document of residence. The president also wishes to tighten border security, prosecute employers who knowingly hire illegal immigrants and provide “earned Citizenship” to the migrants who comply (Shear 1). A key aspect of the “Pathway to Citizenship” is that illegal immigrants must be responsible for their actions and undergo national security and criminal background checks (Shear 1). Also illegal migrants will be expected to pay taxes and a penalty for the duration of time they have spent living tax free in America. Another provision is that immigrants need to learn English before they can earn their Citizenship (shear 1). It will be a strenuous process but at the end of it illegal immigrants will have rightfully earned their Citizenship. Illegal immigrants have the same right to live America as we do. Lucky for us we were born here and are natural citizens, it is unfair to deny anyone who is seeking a better life. Stereotypes and false allegations of illegal immigrants by ignorant natives are unjust and it is shown that our economy would not be what it is today without the help of illegal migrants. They are essentially the backbone of America and do all the work Americans believe they are too good for. If they are willing to work hard, respect our laws, and pay into taxes then these illegal immigrants are entitled to Amnesty through the “Pathway to Citizenship.” Illegal immigrants are people to, we are all supposed to be equal and to deny them what they want so badly is extremely cruel and unjust.