9/11 Immigration Debate

The reality that immigration policies and registration requirements create for undocumented students is a grim one; despite their scholarly capability, thousands upon thousands of undocumented students who have completed high school do not continue on with their education because of the lack of legal paperwork (DREAM Act). This has been the story line for countless undocumented valedictorians, like Grecia Cantu, who’s dream of going to Baylor University to become a teacher was plucked by a simple mandate of Congress (Smith). Despite having a presidential scholarship to Baylor University, Grecia’s future is hampered by her illegal status in the country and the inactivity of the DREAM Act in congress, which is due largely to its brisk opponents. Critics of the legislation falsely advocate that it grants preferential treatment to undocumented students (Malkin 1). In reality, the DREAM Act only grants qualifying individuals with a temporary residency, a driver’s license, and a work permit (Giving the Fact). This allows the students who meet the criteria the same tuition rates as natural-born citizens and a legal way to work and drive in the country. Another resounding critic among the opponents of the bill includes the common misconception that the DREAM Act will provide amnesty and forgive the federal offense immigrants committed when they entered the country illegally (Smith). In truth, only immigrants who entered the country during their youth, before age 16, are eligible for the benefits of the legislation. Once they apply, they will have to fulfill the requirements of completing a 2-year college or serve a 2-year term in the armed forces to finally receive resident status, not citizenship, after 6 years of proved residency (Creating Opportunities). If Congress allowed this legislation to

On Monday night, the Denver city council passed an immigration ordinance that forbids city officials from asking about anyone’s immigration status or requiring anyone to discuss it. This law makes it difficult for the federal government to track and arrest immigrants. As a result, people have become fearful that these immigrants will cause harm to the public through robberies and murders. Many people are afraid of the unknown and seeing the kind of damage immigrants have done in the past, it automatically makes people assume that every immigrant is the same. For example, the field director of ICE made a statement that “this irresponsible ordinance...deliberately obstructs our country’s lawful immigration

The United States has long wrestled with questions over immigration policy, with heavy partisan rancor characterizing the nature of illegal immigration as a political issue. As a humanitarian, economical and sociological issue, illegal immigration is not only a pressing issue but one that can invoke highly charged and emotional reaction from both sides. This was amply demonstrated this past week when President Obama announced that the Department of Homeland Security would be granting 'deferred action' status to a category of illegal immigrants falling into a qualifying set of demographic conditions. According to Julia Preston & John H. Cushman Jr.'s 2012 New York Times article entitled "Obama to Permit Young Migrants to Remain in U.S," the President used his executive authority to limit the number of deportations committed upon illegal immigrants by easing the status of the youngest of these.

The Democratic Party has fiercely advocated for the enactment of the DREAM Act. Republicans however have strongly opposed it and have left little hope for any reform for illegal immigrants. However not passing the DREAM Act and stalling on reform for illegal immigrants is doing an injustice to these immigrants and most importantly to American citizens. Today many US citizens suffer from a depleting economy and anything that can help revive it should and must be done. I see the DREAM Act as a great opportunity to aid and provide relief to the economy.

Imagine a world with an educated youth. Now imagine a parallel world where children are fighting to keep a smile on their faces, because, in truth, it is the only thing they have. In reality, this is what is happening. Youth, who have the privilege to be American citizens, are granted a very fulfilling education with a promise of a career. Children of illegal and undocumented immigrants do not have such luck. Some undocumented children in America have very promising futures and even a degree under their belts, but they cannot apply for a job because they have no proof of citizenship. A controversial topic is the matter of the DREAM Act (Development, Relief, and Education, for Alien Minors) which permits undocumented immigrants to obtain

But one prevalent issue that has continued to be the source of much controversy is immigration. Founded on immigration this issue is not new to this country. Although it’s an issue that has been around for many years the mixed sentiments directed at it have only continued to become more prevalent. This may be due to the various perspectives from which it is viewed. The way in which an issue is looked at is influenced by various factors which become evident when the issue of immigration is discussed.

I am very familiar with the ethics of border security, having grown up in El Paso, Texas. The city sits right next to Juarez, Mexico with a population of over 2 million. As stated in the Debate.org article, “Border Fence”, El Paso, San Diego, and McAllen are the epicenter for cartel violence, hub for drug trafficking, and illegal immigration. There is a border fence that stretches over 30 miles in and around the El Paso area, with a border patrol agent stationed every 300 yards over the same span. With a population of close to 800,000 with over 80% of that being Hispanic, it is a very controversial subject along the border region. (Debate.org Article)

According to the article written about the failures of the Dream Act, an incident occurred on November 6, a young man named Juan Manuel Montes was imprisoned by Border Patrol for being an undocumented immigrant in the United States. “He was the first recipient of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program to have been deported by the Trump administration” (Failure to Pass the Dream Act Would Be a Moral Crisis, 2017). Many reporters say that Mr. Montes’s detention and deportation was only a sign of what could happen in the future. It has been around over two months since President Trump declared the end to the Dream Act. While President Barack Obama was in office, he protected Dreamers because he understood and empathized with their struggles.

Thank you for reading and replying to my post. Immigration is a very touching topic, I believe that we all know someone that their immigration status here in America is uncertain and if I put myself in their position, I’m sure it can be real intimidating. I agree with you when you say “that those that have clean records and work or study hard should have opportunities”, I think that if they are doing everything accordingly to what the law requires then the government will work with them. Just like you, I am not very familiar with the “DREAM ACT” but as far as I know the “DREAM ACT” never passed and is just a temporary programs program. I also heard on Fox Business news that President Trump is going to leave in place the protection

The events of September 11, 2001 initiated another shift in the United States' immigration policy by dramatically increasing immigration enforcement. Immigrant removals, including deportations and so-called voluntary departures, had doubled since the attacks and fewer immigrants, especially from the Middle East are allowed in the Western countries. United States and other big countries in the European Union were the first ones to revise their policy in line with the new context of national security. Since September 11 attacks, the emphasis of American immigration policies became border security and removing criminal immigrants to keep national safety and prevent future terrorist attacks. At the same time, the United States kept its commitment

8 years after his father stepped down as president, George H.W. Bush's son followed in his footsteps. The inauguration of George W. Bush happened on January 20, 2001 and again with the same date in 2005. His first presidential election was against Democratic candidate Al Gore. The margin of victory caused a recount in Florida to decide who would win. Bush won even though he lost against Gore in the popular vote. His second election was against John Kerry. Bush beat Kerry, but this time he got the popular vote.

There has been a lot of controversy surrounding the new immigration reform that was introduced by President Barack Obama. The issue has been split between politicians because one side wants illegal immigrants to face deportation while others want to make drastic changes to improve the broken system, so President Obama decided to take his own legal action on the issue. “Three critical elements of the President’s executive actions are: cracking down on illegal immigration at the border, deporting felons not families, and accountability by passing criminal background checks and paying their fair share of taxes” (The White House). Every year hundreds of thousands of immigrants come into the United States illegally. These immigrants come to America for a variety of reasons; whether it’s hoping for a chance at a better life or escaping violence and poverty in their home country. America’s immigration system has been broken for decades. Too many employers cheat the system by hiring undocumented workers who don’t have proper work authorization. There are millions of people living in the shadows that are afraid of being caught by authorities and sent back. These ongoing problems are neither good for the economy or the country. Obama has argued that this has been an ongoing problem for decades and that its time to fix this broken system. “The President’s actions will streamline legal immigration to boost our economy and will promote naturalization for those who qualify” (The White

A hot topic in the 2016 presidential debates has been about illegal immigration, a subject of controversy in the U.S.; although this issue is not new. During the 1920s this issue concerned immigrants from Eastern Europe, while today it concerns immigrants of Central American and Middle Eastern descent. During the early 20th century, many felt that the new immigrants from Eastern Europe should be deported back to their home country as they feared they were bringing communist ideals with them. There was also fear the Catholics and Jews would interfere with the enforcement of prohibition (The 1920s: Introduction). Laws were eventually passed by congress to restrict immigration from that area, and soon businesses felt the effects of increased

In her article, “An Immigrant on Immigration Limits,” Ling-Ling Yeh (1994) supports the restrictive immigration policy in the United States. Yeh (1994) expresses her disapproval with a rapidly increasing mass of immigrants compares to the past. She convinces that the growing population of immigrants in the country promotes the severe problems, in particular, the unemployment, the overcrowded areas, the homelessness and the shortage of the exhaustible natural resources. Yeh (1994) claims that the growth of immigration in the United States is causing the social, economic and environmental issues, and is urgently needed to be limited. I am in accord with an author about the policy to reduce the number of immigrants.

As a result of the 2001 September 11th attacks, a series of catastrophic, heartbreaking incidents which claimed the innocent, helpless lives of approximately 3,000 individuals, the implementation of increased foreign affair regulation, and more stringent guidelines related to the admission and monitoring of legal immigrants, highlights the profound effect induced upon the controversial issue of immigration in response to these drastic terrorism events, a pivotal moment redefining the perception of immigration held by individuals in the United States. In fact, in consequence to the attacks, the United States government supported the implementation and ratification of the Homeland Security Act, a submission validated by President Bush which facilitated