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Racial And Ethnic Composition Of The American People Essay

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The racial and ethnic composition of the American people is in flux. New immigrants from all over the world have added a large measure of cultural and phenotypic diversity to the American population in recent decades. America is one of very few countries in the world where it is near impossible to define the nationality by one race, lineage or religion. It has become a melting pot of different cultures and religions and it is difficult to find anyone who does not come from immigrant ancestry. Defining ourselves as a nation built on immigration, we also view immigration as a threat, and still immigration has been a constant source of dynamism and strength to the economy. Our immigration system is inadequate and its out-of-date laws have resulted in a situation where many illegal immigrants live and work in the United States, modernizing our immigration system would ensure that the door to America remains as open to future generations as it was for our ancestors. Immigrants make enormous contributions to our economy, with a new comprehensive immigration policy in place that allows the millions of undocumented workers a chance to legally work; these immigrants could become productive contributors to the American economy.
Illegal immigration continues to be a matter of much debate. With over 11 million immigrants in the United States illegally, the issue of illegal immigration continues to divide America. Opponents of illegal immigration say that individuals who break the law by

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