Immigration : A Social And Economic Problem Of Immigration In The United States

Immigration issues have been a problem throughout history. This Society holds different perceptions on the topic. Some people favor the flow of immigrants while others oppose it. Immigration is a social problem that must constantly be reviewed due to the complexity of the problems. In this situation, different factors such as the quality of life for immigrants, how they impact the economy, how the implementation of policies would benefit them, have to be taken into consideration. Immigration policies affect all aspects of today’s society. The key figures in the immigration issue are immigrants, documented/undocumented, political figures.

From an economic aspect, immigration is somewhat beneficial since it increases the US work force and it’s economy. According to Camarota Steven on his testimony’’ Immigration and the US economy’’, immigration overall increases the economy of the US due to the fact that more workers and more people mean bigger GDP. He also pointed out that the impact of immigration of the seize of the economy is not a measure of the benefits of natives. That means that regardless of the benefits of natives, Immigration is a tool to increase the economy of the US. On the other hand, it can be detrimental to the US economy. In fact most of the immigrants work “under the table” which make the fiscal

Immigration has been a major topic since the beginning of the United States of America. This phenomenon is what helped the establishment of this country; and even today it continues to have an impact in in most aspects of the lives of North American’s. The subject has also brought much criticism and created divided opinions about its immediate and long term impact. Migration itself it’s not a problem, but the modern dilemma of who is allowed to migrate and reside permanently in a country “legally.” It is interesting to explore this subject under three basic theories that Sociology deals with: symbolic interactionism, conflict theory and social functionalism. Each theory brings us closer to understand some of the reasons why “illegal immigration” is controversial today. The purpose of this paper is not to persuade but to explore and expose some ideas on a recurrent social issue.

Throughout the history of the United States immigration has become apart of our country’s fabric which, began centuries ago. Only to become a hot topic in the US in recent years with its primary focus being illegal immigrants. Illegal immigration is when people enter a country without government permission. As of 2008 the Center for Immigration Studies estimated that there are 11 million illegal immigrants in the US which is down from 2007‘s 12.5 million people. Although the Center for Immigration Studies estimates are very different from other estimates that range from 7 to 20 million. While the Pew Hispanic Center estimated in March of 2009 there are 11.1 million illegal immigrants and that number is from March 2007’s peak of 12

Immigration is an issue that many people see as small and insignificant. Many believe that it doesn’t concern or affect them in any shape or form. Truth is, it doesn’t matter if you're African American, Caucasian, Asian, Mexican, or another race, immigration is an issue that affects everyone. Immigration affects the economy, the workforce, families, and the individual’s themselves whose main goal and dream is the “American Dream” that they come to the US looking for.

The United States is set apart from other countries in that we have a unique economic, political, and spiritual system from the rest of the world. This also poses a unique problem to our society: Since we possess desirable aspects as a country, we have to deal with the issue of immigration. Legal immigration is a great benefit to our society, and if we can control and harness immigration, it will better our country for years to come. While illegal immigration is an enormous problem that needs to be solved, legal immigration is a great asset to our economy and American society as a whole.

In the United States illegal immigration benefits the economy and growth, but also creates more problems such as inviting more immigrants. According to the article Undocumented Immigrants Should Receive Social Services by Melissa Marietta confirms “Immigrants to this country are not fighting for a student loan or access to a free clinic; they are fighting for the opportunities that they are denied in their native country” (Marietta). Most people look for a better future and head towards the opportunities illegal immigrants recognize United States as a land of opportunities. There are many working opportunities such as mining, railroad, lumbering, and construction in the United States. For example, a common job for illegal immigrants is the construction field. The

Since the start of our country, America has been known as a land of immigrants, a melting pot of different cultures and ethnicities working towards the American motto of the land of the free, home of the brave. Since colonial times, immigrants have been an integral part of society, majorly contributing to U.S culture and economy, yet many Americans have always had very conflicting ideas on immigration. Many people look past the benefits immigrants bring to our economy and society and instead scapegoat them for many of the United States’ problems surrounding unemployment and budget. The positive effects of immigrants, both legal and undocumented, in our country far outweighs the negative effects because of their important impact on society and the economic help that American relies on.

The impact of immigration is a highly controversial topic that gets touched on with the media outlets frequently. With the development of newfound criticism and the rise of popular slogans such as “Immigrants take Jobs,” immigration has become an increasingly prominent economic topic that contains multiple viewpoints and requires discussion. Many economics have noted that alterations in immigration impact a variety of economic policies that make it virtually impossible to make conclusive models on both it’s short-term and long-term effects. Yet, there seems to be agreement that rapid changes such as the ones occurring in our country right now may lead to a decline in economic growth. Therefore, as proposals of reducing legal immigration increase, it has become necessary to view immigration as a serious fiscal issue, that although on the surface may seem to solve a plethora of problems, really doesn’t.

Republicans and Democrats have been fighting over the issue of immigration since the 1900s. Immigration has been an issue declared by both Democrats and Republicans alike over debates, elections and even the presidency. Each political party has different viewpoints of immigration and how it effects society and the U.S. as a whole. Immigration is the great division between two opinions. These two sides are: one being people that are accepting with immigrants coming in and out of the U.S., while the others say there shouldn’t be any immigrants coming to the U.S. Both parties have different stances on these issues, however, neither are as reliable as the facts.

Immigration has and still a dilemma for the United States. Immigration has shaped the United States as a nation since the first newcomers arrived over 400 years ago. Immigrants contribute deeply to many of the economic, social, and political processes that are foundational to the United States as a nation. Millions of immigrants are deported every year. The ethnicity of immigrants living in the United States come from all around. Mexico has the largest population of immigrants coming to America. “The number of unauthorized immigrants living in the United States is estimated to 11.2 million, the majority of whom are from Mexico” (Boehm, 32). Some immigrants entered the United States illegally (by crossing the U.S. Border) and some through a visit visa.

The United States of America is one of the most advanced countries around the world. It is a country full of opportunities where most of its citizens have a high standard of living unlike many other countries around the world. It is a country that ensures its citizens with “the right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.” The qualities of this country are the leading cause for the increase in immigration. People from Mexico, Asia, Europe, South America and the rest of the world immigrate to the U. S. for reasons, such as freedom and the desire of a better life. Immigration is not a recent issue. There were thousands of immigrants coming into this country years ago. Immigration waves mostly began in the nineteenth century. However,

Immigration has been an ongoing event in America since the start of this country. America used to allow immigrants from all over the world to freely come into the country because back when United States was just starting out there was so much land to settle on. After the civil war happened more laws were starting to pass to regulate the amount of immigrants that would come into the United States. Once World War 1 began immigration slowed down because it was harder to travel out of the country. However, right after it ended immigration became a lot heavier and new laws had to be passed. One of the laws that were passed was called National-Origins Quota System, which basically said that there was a specific quota that needed to be met for each nationality of immigrants to come into the United States. Over the next years immigration slowed down a bit, and then in 1986 congress passed an act called Immigration Reform and Control Act. One of the biggest parts of this act was enforcement to prevent illegal admission into the United States. The act banned hiring and harboring illegal immigrants. However, because of poor enforcement this act did not really succeed. About a decade later they tried to enforce more laws in order to prevent these illegal immigrants from entering the country, the passed a law called Illegal Immigrant Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act. The main purpose of this act was to aid border control by hiring better border patrol and more agents to enforce

According to Coleman & Kocher (2011), after the horrific events of 9/11 there was a significant shift in US immigrant enforcement. There was a widespread fear and many Americans made a connection between terrorists and ‘other’ undocumented labourers who they believed freely infiltrated the country. In the post-9/11 world, detention and deportation became routinized as a potential aspect of everyday life for millions of undocumented immigrant residents. Historically, minor infractions had not implicated an immigration status check. After the events of 9/11, this practice became incorporated into the US detention and deportation strategy. This explains why Tarek, who innocently struggles to get through a subway turnstile, is questioned and detained as a result. Coleman and Kocher explain that, “the nation-state […] requires periodic expulsion and dispossession of its national minorities in order to gain a legitimating ground for itself” (p.235). In this case, the United States’ heightened, unjust security measures that discriminated against all Muslims as a response to the collective trauma of 9/11 intended to show both its own citizens and the rest of the world that they will remain in control.

Immigration has contributed to the Identity of the United States involving three categories, geography, innovation, and cultural exchange. Although Immigration has effected the nation positively and negatively, it has overall shaped American into what it is today. It all began when immigrants brought over their traditions and culture. From there America would become the most diverse place in the world.