Illegal immigration is one of the United States’ most controversial subjects. Many Americans strongly believe that people who come across the border illegally without proper documentation should be deported instead of be given the chance to become a citizen of one of the most highly privileged and profitable countries in the world. They think that illegal immigrants are exploiting the system and taking money that belongs only to U.S. citizens. However, opposing viewpoints would argue that illegal immigration is beneficial to the economy of the United States because of the fact that there is additional tax revenue, an increase in low-cost labor and also an increase in money circulation. This (Illegal) American Life brings up both sides of …show more content…
Ilse had a dream of going to college at UCLA since she was in the fourth grade when she first saw the university. She knew, however, that she would face many obstacles while trying to earn a college degree. Some of the obstacles she faced were not being able to get a social security card, a driver’s license, and financial aid to help pay for college or a job unless the employer would pay in cash. While attending college, Ilse lived with a group of fellow undocumented students who faced the same tough situations as hers. Not only were there many undocumented students in college, there were also just as many if not more high school students. There are actually approximately sixty five thousand students who graduate high school that are undocumented. (Van Zeller and Mariana 2011)
Ilse was shocked when she discovered the intensity of hate that many Americans had for people like her. She did not understand how people could have so much hatred for others who were just trying to make a difference and become a positive contribution to the country. Despite these obstacles, she and her friends proved to be “undocumented yet unafraid” and were willing to stand up and voice their opinions concerning their place in the United States. She, as well as thousands of other immigrants who were undocumented, sought out change. Ilse as well as approximately two million other undocumented students came very close to gaining their very own citizenship with the
Illegal immigration has plagued the United States since immigration laws were created, and has worsened in recent history. Since Ronald Reagan’s Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986 provided amnesty for 3 million illegal aliens in exchange for increased border security, millions of people have entered the country illegally. Over the past 30 years, the illegal immigrant population of the country has more than doubled from 5 million in 1986 to over 11.5 million in 2015. It has become one of the most controversial political issues in America. While not every undocumented alien is a bad or dangerous person, illegal immigrants in general are a national security threat, harmful to the economy, and a burden on the social welfare system. The best solution to the illegal alien problem is to secure and enforce the border, purge American territory of every person unlawfully trespassing upon it, and reform the immigration system to make it easier for foreigners to enter the United States legally like people have done for centuries.
In his study, Gonzales sets his attention on two groups of undocumented youths: the early exiters and the college-goers. Both groups are similar in many ways; however, one group receives positive reinforcement from liable people more than the other group. Gonzales’s purpose in writing this book is to inform the reader the struggles of being an undocumented minor and/or
Approximately 200,000 to 225,000 undocumented immigrants enroll in American institutions of higher education and represent 2 percent of all students in college (Suarez-Orozco, Katsiaficas, Birchall, Alcantar, & Hernandez, 2015). Undocumented students have low rates of enrollment to programs of higher education in comparison to documented students. When undocumented students begin college, they go through struggles to adapt and assimilate to college life. As a result of feeling disconnected to the campus they attend, undocumented students may look for different options for support, such as clubs and centers offered for students. In recent years, there have been legal changes set in place to support the success of undocumented students enrolled in higher education, which include in state tuition, financial aid, and scholarship opportunities. These changes have given undocumented students more choices and access to
If we talk about undocumented immigrants in United States, we usually focus on the benefits and jobs they take from our country, but have we ever stood in their shoes and imagine what life is like for an illegal immigrant? To live as an undocumented immigrant is a bad situation, but I believe to be a child of an undocumented immigrant is even worse, because their choices are limited and they are unaware of their rights to attend colleges. In this research, I will focus on undocumented immigrant students, who are unable to afford for higher education, and the fear of their unknown future which is mainly cause by their undocumented status. The largest invisible group in America, to explore “what are the struggles and unsolved problems of
This paper exposes the urgency to implement an immigration reform that would eliminate educational and occupational barriers to millions of undocumented students that want to pursue a postsecondary education. The information in this research examines the impact undocumented students may have in society and the economy of this country. There are thousands of undocumented students that graduate high school every year and have no opportunities to pursue a higher education degree, thus increasing the chances of poverty in this country, increase in unemployment and a serious negative shift in the economy. Given the increase role
Undocumented students have a harder time trying to pursue a higher education; this is due to the fact that they cannot receive federal aid. College is like a safe haven for these undocumented students. Higher education gives undocumented students the opportunity to better themselves as individuals. Higher education also allows undocumented students to pursue a better life for themselves and for their family. Every year over 65,000 undocumented students graduate from high school in the United States (Gray). Experts estimate that fewer than 6,500 of those undocumented students actually go on to attend college (Sheehy). One reason for why the amount is so low is because college is expensive for these undocumented students. Undocumented students are unable to achieve any of these goals, that is, unless they receive federal aid. It is sad to see undocumented students give up on their dream to attend college and get a higher education.
Every year thousands of undocumented students graduate from high school with uncertainty about a post-secondary education. Many of these students do not have the financial means, and are often too scared about their legal status to continue their education. This issue is extremely prevalent in the state of California, hosting 2.6 million “alien residents”, it has the largest population of undocumented immigrants (Gonzales, 2006). Immigration policies have been controversial topics in the United States for a long time. Although there is still an ongoing debate about reforming the current immigration laws, there has been progress in making post-secondary education a possibility for undocumented students. This paper will focus
Illegal immigration is the migration of people across national borders in a way that violates the immigration laws of the destination country. Some countries have millions of illegal immigrants. Immigration, including illegal immigration, is overwhelmingly upward, from a poorer to a richer country. The easy definition of an undocumented immigrant is someone who was not born in the United States and therefore has no legal right to be or remain in the United States. Not all undocumented immigrants snuck across the border illegally. Although it is hard to get an accurate number on the amount that did, some undocumented immigrants originally came here legally as tourists or some came on a temporary visa and just did not leave. The reasons on why they decided to stay and not go back to their countries are numerous. Some immigrants come to the United States to work and escape the poor economy in their country, while others come to be with their family. Whatever the reason may be, at the end of the day they all come here to achieve the american dream.
Today one of the biggest issues in America is illegal immigration; these people travel from all over the world, and illegally cross national borders onto U.S soil in desperation to find a better life. Immigrants come to America in hopes of fulfilling the American dream, being free and safe from their original home lands. Most immigrants are illegal and come by the millions each year, which lead to many controversial disputes. The overflow of immigrants caused many citizens to question if these illegal immigrants are damaging America in various way and also by bringing in crime, drugs, and terrorists. Others state that immigrants truly aids the economy “Indeed, some sectors of the economy might have a hard time functioning without illegal workers. (Katel 395) Many citizens believe illegal immigrants are taking jobs, and abusing government benefits, however many argue that these immigrants in fact contribute to a stronger economic stimulus, take unwanted jobs, and some even create jobs for Americans.
Undocumented students are becoming a growing outrage in the United States. It has been a constant battle amongst the students, the schools, and the Government. According to collegeboard.com, statistics shows that 65,000 undocumented students graduate from U.S. high schools each year (collegeboard.com).After graduating high school they face legal and financial barriers to higher education. This paper will address the importance of this growing outrage and discuss the following that corresponds to it.
In the United States of America, there is a big problem with illegal immigration. Illegal immigration is an enormous issue that during the 2016 presidential primary debates. It was a problem when President Obama took office eight years ago, and it is an even greater problem now that he is getting ready to leave office. Most Americans want the border closed, but that will only solve half the problem. The other half of the problem can be solved by deporting the illegal immigrants that are already in the United States. Illegal immigrants are taking American jobs. Therefore, negatively affecting the economy. Furthermore, they have a higher crime rate than the average U.S. citizen. Yet, supporters view illegal immigrants as a good thing because it helps grow the economy by doing jobs nobody else will do. Besides helping the economy, supporters believe that illegal immigrants are not criminals and will not do any more harm than coming into the country illegally. Most U.S. citizen believe that the U.S. immigration policy needs to be reformed. Illegal immigrants should not be allowed to stay in the United States because they take away U.S. jobs, they negatively affect the economy, and contribute to crime.
The debate on whether non-documented students should be granted residency for tuition purposes has been a primary issue for a decade in the United States. Each side has cited their reasons for their sides, citing both moral/equity and financial/economic arguments to support their positions. With statistics indicating that approximately 15% of the nation’s 12 million undocumented immigrants are below the age of 18, there are more young undocumented immigrants enrolled in the primary and secondary educational system. Statistical estimate also indicates that 65, 000 undocumented students
“My parents have been keeping a secret from me” my best friend Katia told me one day during our Algebra II class. I looked at her in confusion I didn’t understand why she was so upset, or any idea what her parents would be hiding from her. Looking at her, her face ever so frustrated, she told me “I don’t have a social security, I wasn’t born here, I’m an illegal immigrant”. This was very heavy news, considering the fact that we were only sophomores in high school. I couldn’t imagine the devastation she had to face when she was told by her parents that she couldn’t do or participate in certain things because of her immigration status, that discovery of course, she told me, was very hard for her. Anxiety over deportation should not have been a constant fear for her or anyone’s high school agenda, failing a course, now this, should have been the only scary thing about being in high school. Being the child of two illegal immigrants,who had just received their United States residency, myself, I saw how much my parents struggled. Both of my parents come from underprivileged families who immigrated to the United States came from Mexico to achieve a better life as teenagers. They later met here, got married, and had me here in San Jose, where I became a first generation United States citizen. I saw the amount of time and especially money invested in obtaining their residency, something, by what I understand, a high schooler has a very limited supply of. Time
For ages, the United States has seemed to be the country where people seek to move to for a better life. The United States was built on immigrants. People have always migrated to the United States both legally and illegally. The main problem the country has face with immigrants is the amount that trespass the border illegally. Illegal immigration is the unlawful act of crossing a national border(Illegal Immigration Pros and Cons). The illegal immigrant population keeps growing at an annual average of about 300,000 people(Currie 10). In the recent year of 2014, there were about 11.3 million undocumented people living in the United States(Krogstad). Many have asked what harm they do to both the economy and the American citizen. Although there are many arguments as to how much harm they cause, there are as many arguments stating illegal immigration benefits the United States. Illegal immigration has a positive impact in the United States within the consumers, the working class, and the overall economy.
Most Americans today believe that illegal immigration is an issue that the country really doesn 't know how to handle, but is one of the most important to solve now. The reason this problem is so important is because everyone has an opinion for the sake of politics or just as their two cents. People of higher class and those buried in the poverty line have different reasons as to why this is an over-exaggerated issue or a serious toxin to the United States. The wealthy may argue that most illegal aliens bring in crime and poverty, while others claim that immigrants actively strive for the american dream and complete jobs that no one else wants to do. Whereas those under the poverty line state that illegal aliens steal jobs from the unfortunate citizens, are breaking the law by coming across borders or overstaying their visas and are terrorist threats, other underprivileged citizens want to provide equal opportunity and have no quarrels with immigrants. In other words, all citizens have diverse views on how to handle immigrants regarding the issues of law, economics and social issues.