Immigration Illegal Debate, Research Paper Example

Solutions to the Problem of Illegal Immigration into the United States

Introduction

Controversy abounds over the issue of illegal immigration into the United States. Most of this contention specifically centers on those who live as undocumented aliens from Mexico. As the population of this minority swells, the importance of reaching resolution increases proportionately. Some, believing that the domestic economy benefits from tax revenues generated by illegal aliens, argue that the undocumented perform numerous and essential jobs that keep our economy, already lagging, moving along. They believe this population seeks opportunities that personify the American dream and that those who want them to go home typify racial resentment. Conversely, many believe that illegal aliens either broke laws by coming here illegally to begin with, or break them by remaining after the expiration of their visas. They see such people as criminals who pose social and economic burdens for Americans.

Some facts are telling. In 2006, the Department of Homeland Security estimated that almost 12 million unauthorized people lived in the United States and that deportation efforts had returned almost a quarter of a million in that year alone (Homeland Security). Two other items, reported in 2006, are indeed interesting. The IRS estimated that almost 50 billion dollars had been received from those who are ineligible for Social Security benefits, many of whom are illegal aliens and that more than 40 subterranean passages had been discovered on or along the US-Mexican border in a five year period (ProCon, 2010). Staying beyond visa limits is a civil offense, while entering illegally to being with is a misdemeanor or even a felony.

The Term “Illegal Alien”

Those who desire the return home of the people in question prefer the term “illegal aliens” when describing them. They believe that these people are law breakers and deserve the adjective “illegal.” Those who do not see them as “illegal alien” see such a reference as a pejorative term. They prefer the label, “undocumented immigrants” as a label. They also use terminology such as “undocumented worker” or “undocumented immigrant” to refer to these people.

Amnesty

Many people like the idea of giving amnesty, or official pardon, to those who have entered or stayed here through unendorsed methods. Their position is that forgiving a crime like this would offer millions of people a real chance at achieving the social mobility that they desire. Many others feel that any forgiveness of illegal actions undermines the rule of law and is an endorsement of illegality. They feel that those who enter or stay illegally are more prone to commit other crimes.

Border Fence at Mexico

There are those who want to bring the immigration to a halt by erecting a long series of  fences along the US-Mexican border. Some, like Mexican President Calderón say, “It is deplorable to go ahead with this decision of the wall at the border…The wall will not solve any problem. Humanity made a huge mistake by building the Berlin Wall…(Calderón, 2006). His counterpart in 2006 was George W. Bush, who had a different opinion about “fences making good neighbors” (to borrow an observation from a familiar Robert Frost poem). “By making wise use of physical barriers and deploying 21^st century technology we’re helping our Border Patrol do their job,” Bush said at the signing of the act that would construct such a fence (Bush, 2006).

Deportation

The process of identifying, locating, and deporting illegal immigrants would resemble an impossible task; therefore, there are those who feel that deportation is definitely not the answer for the issue. Those who envision a massive round up of people, they say, is much easier said than done. On the other hand, proponents of deportation lobby for a simpler formula for deportation. They believe in the small, yet constant extraction of illegals whenever and wherever they are located.   

Civilian Border Patrols

Some have organized, as is the case for a group known as the “Minuteman Civil Defense Corps” of Arizona, to protect the border that its state shares with Mexico. These people, fully armed, feel that by dissuading illegal entrance into the US through their state, they are keeping out a foreign aggressor. Opponents of the group are afraid to think of what acts that untrained civilians carrying weapons might do or cause because of their impulse to contact danger. They see Mexicans and Americans getting injured needlessly through this type of force.

Terrorist Threats

Many Americans feel that immigration is a foremost tool used by would-be terrorists. As a result, our efforts to tighten security entrances into the US are not optional. They view each immigrant as potential terrorist. Those in the other camp do not put terrorism and immigration together. They feel that the person power and money used to keep working immigrants out of the US is not a wise use of resources.

Economic Burden

Critics of illegal immigration know the tremendous cost that US taxpayers pay for the medical treatment of aliens. They also know the huge amounts of money made in the United States are sent to Mexico, producing one of Mexico’s most plentiful streams of revenue, resulting, as it were, in a transfer of wealth. The opposition to this view holds that Mexicans add far more to the US economy than they take from it. For example, they note that many illegals pay into a system of Social Security, a plan from which they will never be able to draw retirement income.

Driver’s Licenses for Illegal Aliens

The idea is embraced by thousands that access to driver’s licenses by illegals poses security threats and undermines existing laws. Illegals are not always going to even carry insurance on their vehicles once they are issued a license to drive, they say. Critics of this observe that making driver’s licenses more difficult to get is an ineffective way to enforce immigration laws or terrorism. Having driver’s licenses, they say, was not the determinant for the 2001 terrorists as they boarded US planes.

Using State and Local Law or National Only

By a ratio of several thousand to one, illegal immigrants outnumber federal law enforcement authorities for immigration concerns. Without the help of state and local law enforcers, there is no way for federal officers to handle more than a small fraction of illegal immigrant issues. Local authorities come in contact with illegal persons on a regular basis and are in position to take action regarding any immigration infractions. Representing a different opinion are those who feel that local officials already have enough to enforce without taking on immigration, an issue that they know little about. Immigration laws are complex. Respect of local agencies from among immigrant communities would lose ground. Cooperation between aliens and local police would be strained as each responds to other, local crimes.

Border Militarization         

The purpose of our national guard and our military is not to monitor Mexico. With so many military resources fighting a war against terror in the Middle East, American Guard and Armed Services are not poised for rapid or aggressive response to Mexican trespassing. The other side of this facet of the overall argument is that our Border Patrol cannot do its job without help. It really is impossible for the Patrol to do its job as our borders are being overrun faster than it can be guarded. The only way to seal the long border with Mexico is to call in the military and all of its strength.

Conclusions

The ideas about this important issue divide too deeply to find much in the way of commonality. Most any idea about legalizing aliens gets countered with strong words about loyalty and allegiance to our country, as most aliens would maintain allegiance to their birth country through dual status. The mere mention of amnesty unleashes a pariah attitude, complete with words that are long and loud. Time and again, deportation advocates make impressive reasons for carrying out such a plan, but, to date, no real, viable plans relative to this have surfaced.

References

Bush, G. (2006). Remarks at the signing of the Secure Fence Act of 2006, 26 Oct.

Calderón, F. (2006). Mexico urges Canada to help oppose border fence. CTV National Broadcast, 26 Oct.

Homeland Security. Homeland Security Studies and Analysis Institute. Retrieved 18 Mar 2010 from http://www.homelandsecurity.org/Default.aspx?AspxAutoDetectCookieSupport=1

ProCon.org. (2010). Retrieved 17 Mar 2010 from http://immigration.procon.org/view.resource.php?resourceID=000843