Illegal Immigrants to the United States, Research Paper Example

The topic of illegal immigration is one of great significance in the United States.  Fueling debates in politics, the economy, and furthermore, it is one that has required a great response from the United States in its attempted control of the situation.  As a result, illegal immigration has proved to have a great effect on the United States Government, groups associated with illegal immigration activity, and the resulting consequences.

The United States Government

The United States Government is perhaps the social institution most affected by illegal immigration.  Certainly it has become involved in a number of debates, in the questions of the economic, political, and social ramifications of continued illegal immigration.  Although there has been a decrease in the population of illegal immigrants in the United States (Preston), the debates have not ceased on the political and public levels.

There are many implications in the government’s place in regards to illegal immigration in the U.S., certainly more than can be covered in this brief overview.  A particular significant point is that of public health, where healthcare must be considered for illegal immigrants.  According to Ziv and Lo, physicians’ responsibilities, even in regards to those with illegal immigrants (that should be supported by the government, in their view), lie to protect the public health, care for people in medical need, and respect patient confidentiality (1096).

Generally speaking, the United States Government is greatly affected by illegal immigration into the United States.  There are a number of law enforcement expenses involved in this topic.  For instance, apprehension and deportation, crimes committed by illegal immigrants, identity theft, gang violence, and drug trafficking all contain economic expenses for law enforcement agencies, not to mention the implications furthermore, extending to that in American society.

Social Groups

There are a wide variety of illegal immigrants that enter the United States.  A Pew Hispanic Center report states that 57% were from Mexico, 24% were from other countries in Latin America (significantly in Central America), 9% were from Asia, 6% were from Europe, and 4% represented the rest of the world (Passel).  Certainly Latin Americans are the primarily group involved in illegal immigration.

Relative to Latin Americans, the primary group identified, the power, privilege, and prestige is relatively low.  Influenced by social norms, Latin American immigrants often find manual labor, according to what is expected within views relating to social stereotypes.  As a result, immigrants from poorer countries who are looking for a brighter future often resort to manual labor.

There are immediate sanctions to these social expectations.  Primarily the sanction with this dynamic is that of respect.  As many Latin American immigrants are involved in manual labor, it can have ramifications on the views of other ethnic groups.  As a result, it is not uncommon in some areas, and even generally, to see this ethic group in this light and manner.

Conclusion

In this brief analysis we see two entities that are affected greatly by illegal immigration into the United States.  The United States Government must deal with the economic, political, and further implications and ramifications of these activities.  In terms of social groups involved, Latin Americans are the most prevalent group, where manual labor and other dynamics causes a negative view towards this group.

Works Cited

Passel, Jeffrey. The Size and Characteristics of the Unauthorized Migrant Population in the U.S.. Pew Hispanic Center. March 7, 2006. Web. May 11, 2010.

Preston, Julia. Decline Seen in Numbers of People Here Illegally. New York Times. July 31, 2008. Web. May 11, 2010

Ziv, Tal Ann & Bernard Lo. “Denial of Care to Illegal Immigrants: Propositions 187 in California” New England Journal of Medicine, 332(16). April 20, 1995: 1095-8.