Tightening the Rules and Policies of Immigration in the United States, Essay Example

Introduction

Transferring from one’s own country towards another nation is called as immigration. The reasons behind this particular decision are many. The effects that it poses the American society with are serious as well. Notably, this is the reason why there is a need to discuss the matter on a deeper scale with the constant hope of solving the issues that comes along with it. Relatively, among all the other highly developed countries, the United States hold the highest rate of immigrants in history. In this discussion, a focus on the reason behind this instance in the country shall be explored. Such concentration on the subject hopes to create a distinctive indication on what specifically needs to be done especially when it comes to the desire of creating more effective policies that could improve the immigration situation in the United States.

Further improving the condition of immigration in the United States is expected to create relative sources of indication on how the capacity of the country to provide what the people residing in it actually needs. To make the approach of creating a better source of good results for the nation, an assessment of the problems brought about by the aspects of immigration in the country shall be presented hence presenting the actual problems that need resolution. Notably, this research is expected to provide a better sense of indicating a properly defined indication on what immigration is, how it affects the American nation and what specific issues should be given attention to so as to mandate the better ways of handling the condition of the matter in the country.

The Status of Immigration in US

Immigration in the United States could be divided into four particular eras. One is that of the colonial period, another is the mid-19^th century, the third period is the start of the 20^th century and the fourth period is that post-1965 which stretches up to the current years (Portes, 1985, 78). These eras are defined by the kind of culture that it leaves in the country and the group of people it brings into the nation. For instance, the colonial period brought in several individuals from the black communities around the globe most often than not referred to as the ‘salves’ during the time. These individuals believed that they would find a sense of comfort from the country away from what they have experienced from those who have colonized their own nations. In a way, this particular era of immigration changed a great deal of history in the American nation’s face. Relatively, this then imposed a sense of distinction on how the division of races in the country occurred. This caused deep problems around the different regions in the country for several years.

During the mid-19^th century, a new influx of immigrants came into the US. The Latinos and Asians came into the picture (Mohl, 2002, 55). Another influx during the time came from the Atlantic region after the 1790’s Act on naturalization to free the white people from slavery. Apparently some, even though they were not black, some white Americans became salves especially those who were not able to attain the assessment of being in an elitist status. During the 20^th century, French groups and European individuals came into the country (Yans-McLaughlin, 1990, 89). When the entrance of the post 1965 era came in, it could be realized that a number of other groups of nationalities came in the country in huge numbers; some looking for a place to stay, some looking for a good job, and some just simply hoping to manage into a better sense of living (Yans-McLaughlin, 1990, 91). Most of the people who opted to come to the United States to immigrate there were experiencing some hardships in their own countries. Some are under a chaotic situation, while some others are experiencing extreme poverty. With these issues in their heads, they feel desperate to come out from their own countries and be able to live in another nation that could practically give them a better chance of living their goals and their dreams. Up to the current era, immigrants often have personal and national issues they hope to deal with through going to another country as a form of escape and as a form of ‘salvation’ from the supposed weak kind of life they are living.

Somehow, individuals from other countries believe that the American nation could give them a better chance to realizing their dreams as people who only want to get the best out of life. The campaign on the ‘American Dream’ has specifically allowed the chance by which people are able to manage through their ways and just accept everything in exchange of understanding what the country could provide them with (Smith, et al, 1997, 88). The relationship of a person towards the dream he has in mind motivates him fully to accept everything that comes with it, even if it meant illegally coming into the United States. The illegal ways of coming into the country however made it possible for several issues to occur. These issues would better be given attention to in the section that follows.

Issues and Problems

To make an indicative presentation on the problems relating to immigration in the United States, this section shall be divided according to the aspects of the society that the said element of social change affects in the country:

Education: with the influx of new population of immigrants, both legal and illegal, the number of students coming into public schools dramatically increases each year. One particular result in this specific situation is that of the increase in diversity in classrooms. Public schools in the United States are funded by the government according to the number of the registered population in the community that they are supposed to serve. Relatively though, this particular influx in the population of students makes it hard for such funding to be managed properly according to the needs of each learner (Yans-McLaughlin, 1990, 85). Teachers are also faced with the need to adjust their approach in teaching especially in relating to students coming from different nationalities.

Work and Employment: Among the primary aspects of operation in the American society that is affected by immigration is that of the level of work and employment that is given to the Americans apart from that of the job opportunities given to the ones who immigrated into the country. It has been noted though that at some point, legal immigrants who are registered and are employed in particular business establishments specifically give a boost on the country’s economy. However, when it comes to those who are illegally coming into the country, finding good and legal jobs for them is close to impossible (Yans-McLaughlin, 1990, 86). Hence, they settle for the least kind of jobs that pay the least rate of salary. This results to an increased number of homeless in the communities as well as imposes an impact on the rate of poverty in the areas where most illegal immigrants are situated.

Crime and Violence: Given that more are impoverished and more are faced with the problem of finding a decent place to live in, it could be observed how the rate of crime and violence accomplished by immigrants increase each year (Hagan, 1999, 617). The depressing situation that they have been involved in and the increasing pressure in life that they are experiencing often bring them into a vulnerable state of taking particular steps relating to taking advantage of others just so to get their hands on the basic things that they need to be able to survive life.

These elements of social living in the American nation are among the primary matters that get specifically affected by the aspect of increasing immigration in the country. What has the government done about this particular issue? This specific discussion shall be presented in the discussion in the next section.

Presenting Possible Resolutions

Due to the increased campaign being internationally presented in relation to globalization, it is expected that immigration and its impact in the American society would continue to increase in the coming years. It is because of this particular reason that several rules should be established in an aim of tightening the policies of immigration in the country. Using the EU model of immigration policies as a particular inspiration for this particular development, the desire of making a much freer community yet much easier to control in terms of imposing the law into the society is a focus that needs to be given attention to.

First in the note is to increase social security policies. This indicates a better aspect of keeping the security measures handled in the entry points to the American nation. The post 9/11 structure of policies created a strong distinction on how the policies of entering the nation changed through the years after the said event. The responsibility of the Department of Homeland Security specifically changed in relation to the need to seek specific requirements on the ones coming into the country and making sure that illegal entries are closely watched accordingly.

Changing the structure of residential citizenship in the country also needs to be checked so as to make sure that those who they grant residential legalities with would actually be right for the provisions that are to be given them by the government once they are accepted as legal members of the American society. Creating more job opportunities and making sure that they are given to those who are actually able to come into the country according to legal requirements could better resolve the issue.

Conclusion

The problems brought about by illegal immigration in the United States are serious. Responding to them with an immediate approach is necessary. Relatively, it could be understood that creating resolutions are important especially in the hope of recovering the country from the state of chaos that it has been into for years. The desire to provide what the people need is the government’s focus. If this would mean not accepting some people who would want to enjoy what America could offer, then it is necessary that such step be taken accordingly. Notably, the procedures of changing the immigration policies and rules recognized by the country need to be adjusted. For several years, the senators and the law makers of America specifically try to find different aspects of development that they could take to be able to adjust the said policies. True to its sense, this particular move on the part of the government is dedicated to improving the lives of the people living in America with the hope of providing them with everything that they need. Attempting to change the situation today could promise a better future to the people who are to be living in America in the coming years.

Works Cited:

Mohl, Raymond A. “Latinization in the Heart of Dixie: Hispanics in Late-twentieth-century Alabama” Alabama Review 2002 55(4): 243–274.

Portes, Alejandro, and Robert L. Bach. Latin Journey: Cuban and Mexican Immigrants in the United States. University of California Press, 1985.

Yans-McLaughlin, Virginia ed. Immigration Reconsidered: History, Sociology, and Politics. Oxford University Press. (1990).

Hagan, John, Alberto Palloni. [8] Sociological Criminology and the Mythology of Hispanic Immigration and Crime]. Social Problems, Vol. 46, No. 4 (Nov., 1999), pp. 617–632.

Smith, James p., Chair. The New Americans: Economic, Demographic, and Fiscal Effects of Immigration. Commission on Behavioral and Social Sciences and Education (CBASSE), National Academy of Sciences. (1997).