The Issue Of Immigration In America

Globally, the United States has been known as "a nation of immigrants" almost from its inception. Beginning in the 1600s with English Puritans and continuing today, America is a melting pot of culture and ethnicity. In fact, in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, immigration was the major source of U.S. population growth. Looking over our 200+ years we find that to clearly be true, with approximately 1 million immigrants coming to America during the 17th and 18th century. Almost 3 million arrived during the 1860s, and another 3 million in the 1870s. In the next four decades, the number of immigrants rose to over 25 million people, most from various European nations, most arriving in New York or one of the Eastern seaports (Damon, 1981). Despite the politicization, as of 2006, the United States actually was the number one country globally to accept legal immigrants into the country, with a current immigrant population of almost 40 million (Terrazas and Batalova, 2009). In fact, the peak of immigration was 1907, when over 1.2 million Europeans entered the country beginning a push towards legislation limiting immigration in the Immigration and Naturalization Act of 1924 and the 1921 Congressional Quota Act. These immigrants came for two sociological reasons: the push factor (wars, famine, persecution and overpopulation) and the pull factors (jobs and the promise of freedom). Most came by ship, and a passage often cost the equivalent of an entire life's savings causing many

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.

The debate of who should be allowed to enter the United States has been an issue for many years, with the large number of people entering and living here illegally this has become a significant talking point amongst the candidates in this presidential election. But are their views something that should be shared and supported by Christians today? There are definitely two opposing views from Christians on this topic. I will present both views regarding illegal immigrants in the United States and then I will present my own opinion on this topic.

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.

America is deemed the land of the free and the home of the brave. The very fabric of this great nation was built upon immigrants from the Pilgrims landing on Plymouth Rock to the millions of immigrants landing at Ellis Island. America is known as a melting pot of many different cultures and ethnic groups with roughly 11.7 million illegal immigrants living here. There has been a long standing love/hate relationship with the issue of immigration. It has long been debated as to whether or not we should continue to allow immigrant into our country so freely.

“More than any other nation on Earth, America has constantly drawn strength and spirit from wave after wave of immigrants. In each generation, they have proved to be the most restless, the most adventurous, the most innovative, the most industrious of people. Bearing different memories honoring different heritages, they have strengthened our economy, enriched our culture, renewed our promise of freedom and opportunity for all” (Clinton 146). Those are some wise words from a former president who explains the importance of immigrants and has the mentality of a person who has reason. For many, or everybody, walking through a hot, dry desert with no water or even through a cold, windy and rainy desert would not be an activity that they would like to engage. Even though this dangerous and severe weather goes on, several people still immigrate illegally because they want what is going to be best for them. Some make it all the way and unfortunately some we do not hear about ever again.

Although the issue of immigration policy has been at the center of political debates, largely discussed in the media and newspapers, no one has yet found a solution to this ill-defined problem, that would comply with the America’s core values. While I think the immigration policy does need a reform, the solution to this problem certainly is not a deportation of all undocumented residents.

The first reason Obama’s executive action is a terrible idea is because the program he created only makes people that have been here for 5+ years legal. To begin with, the program Obama created call the DAPA allows people to live in the US without permission allowing them to work openly.(Supreme Court…) This informs us that they are working without permission which means they are working illegally. This will strain our economy because the people that are actually doing the right thing don’t get anything out of doing the right thing and being legal. In addition, Newsela stated, “The DAPA covers immigrants who have been in the US for more than 5 years.”(Supreme Court…) This explains to us that Obama isn’t doing anything major about the immigration problem, he is just making a minor adjustment. When he needs to make a bigger adjustment to fix the problem. Likewise, it would make life better for only 5 million immigrants.(Supreme Court…) This reveals that if we allow the immigrants that have been here for 5 years stay it

Every year, around one million people are immigrating into the United States both legally and illegally. As of now nearly 40 million immigrants live in the United States; 11.5 million of which came to the country illegally (CNN). That is nearly thirteen percent of the total United States population. The role the United States government plays in the handling of immigration from foreign countries both legal and illegal, plays a vital role in the security of the people of the United States and

Immigration is one hot topic in today’s conversation and society. Many think that immigrants coming to America are taking many jobs away from who need them. Some also think that there are jobs being taken away are not ones that Americans would not perform due to the horrible working conditions, low pay, and lack of important medical coverage. The immigration issue has come to a point where the United States must make a decision to spend a lot of money to curtail the amount of immigrants coming here.

Citizens who are born in the United States sometimes take advantage of the system and are still considered “citizens.” This is unfair for the immigrants who work, pay taxes and are trying to become a citizen of the state, but have to go through a long and complex process. However, others say that immigrants come here illegally into the country are breaking the law, but most of these immigrants are desperate to start another life and earn money to send back home. Also immigrants do not understand the slow and long processes to be allowed in another country.

Donald Trump made several claims recently that the population of illegal immigrants in the U.S. has risen to thirty million or more. He claimed that the government had no grasp on the population of illegal immigrants, and that he’s seen those estimates in several papers and other sources. The Department of Homeland Security disagreed, saying that their calculations of illegal immigrants took a lot of factors into account. Even with a plus or minus one million margin, there was no way possible for the number of illegal immigrants to have tripled without them knowing. Several other major research organizations agreed, saying they also came up with estimates very close to the eleven million estimate given. No one is really sure where exactly Trump got these outrageous and wildly inaccurate claims, but they are almost certain that he is incorrect. I think Trump will always be a racist figurehead, constantly spewing misinformation because he knows the general public will eat it up. He spent some time in probably what is mostly a white supremacist Texas town, and suddenly came back with unfounded overestimates of the population of illegal immigrants. This does not surprise me, nor should it surprise anyone else.

He wanted to cut immigration down to provide more opportunities for Americans, but he is also slowing down economic growth. Additionally, with the decrease in immigrants, it shortens the amount of workers needed for some countries and forces them to outsource, which is something the Trump administration is not necessarily in compliance with. I think it is pretty ignorant to deny legal immigrants entry into the country, emphasizing the word “legal”. It is embarrassing to know that Trump never considered to research how impactful immigrants are to economic growth. I do not think that this bill should grow through simply because of the facts presented -- not having immigrants in our country will decrease economic growth significantly. In the past two weeks, the White House seems like it has been falling apart; Trump has lost staff members, has had private phone call transcripts publicized, and has been caught on multiple lies. There are no other countries that are reported to have denied legal immigrants entry to their country. There is, however, a rich history of the U.S. not allowing immigrants to enter the country. I do not believe that this bill is a good idea and I hope that it does not get passed because it would prove to be detrimental for the labor force and economic growth in the

This paper will examine the problem of Immigration and Immigration Law. I will first discuss what Immigration Law is and how it works, then I will define the number one problem of immigration laws, “illegal immigration” and why it’s so important to follow procedures. It will also address the consequences after violating the laws. Next the paper discusses three policy solutions to the problems of illegal immigration: Legalization of Immigrants, Strengthen Border Security, and Immigration Amnesty. The paper will first explain each policy solution. Then it will analyze the pros and cons, and potential strengths and weakness of each solution. Last this paper will offer some personal observations on the problem of immigration.

Two solutions to fixing the issues with the current immigration system is to primarily provide temporary legal visas and open up a pathway to obtaining citizenship. Many undocumented immigrants have lived in the United States for at least a decade and have become a great part of American society. The prevalent system practically encourages immigrants to enter the country illegally, considering the process of “rightfully”becoming a citizen can take up to five or more years. According to Brad Plumer’s article, Learning from Failure: How to Solve Illegal Immigration, providing temporary legal visas is the first step to fixing the matter with immigration. Allowing people to obtain a temporary work permit, or visa, makes sure “immigrant workers … fulfill the needs of U.S. businesses” (Plumer 1). Not only does this reduce illegal crossings, but fills the necessary jobs our economy demands and needs since many Americans refuse to do so. This is a solution because immigrants now may no longer have the motive to avoid the system and businesses will reduce illegal hirings due to easy acquired visas. Also, the United States can