U.s. Illegal Immigration And The United States

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.

For many decades the history of the United States and immigration has always been a very talked about topic of debate. Many Americans did not like the collision that immigrants would have upon the native-born American people, while others welcomed the flow of people as adding to America’s multiculturalism of difference. According to Immigration: Good or Bad for America (2016), a large amount of immigrants try to enter the U.S. borders without proper documentation, in this manner being labeled as illegal immigrants. In addition, the United States unusual position as a nation of immigrants is being questioned by

There were eleven and a half million unauthorized immigrants in the United States in 2014. The population has remained stable for five years, and currently makes up three and half percent of the nation’s population. In the United States Labor Force, there were eight million unauthorized immigrants either working or looking for work in 2014. Is it ethical to employ illegal immigrants? According to the Pew Research Center, Currently, “49% of US citizens agree with the statement “immigrants today strengthen the country because of their hard work and talents.” Somewhat fewer (41%) agree with an opposing statement: “immigrants today are a burden on our country because they take our jobs, housing and health care”” (Pew Research Center for the People and the Press). It also states that this same poll has been taken each year and that the opposing statement is getting more popular each year. There are a few different sides to the question of illegal immigrant employment being ethical and I am going to share some information about this topic with you today.

Immigration has always been a complex issue in the United States. Previous and current administrations have had great difficulties in setting policies and programs in place to address this problem. During the course of American history, laws were enacted to address such issues. There were numerous legislative milestones in regards to immigration in the United States. In order to understand the current issues regarding immigration, we have to look back at the policies that were in place along with the goals that they intended to serve. According to (Barusch, 2012), the United States had an open immigration policy; which means that anyone could relocate to this country. As a result of this policy, the government had to redefine

America has, is, and will always be a nation of immigrants: the great melting pot. In the years that have passed since Emma Lazarus' poem was inscribed on the Statue of Liberty "the golden door" Americans have seen times when the door was open wide and times when it was close shut to most immigrants (Sure 4). Many people look at the present immigration problems as a purely modern dilemma. The truth is America has always struggled with the issue of immigration, both legal and illegal. Changing times, however, makes it imperative that our government reexamines and adjusts today's immigration laws to today's standards. Those standards, however, are not easily defined. Too often the issue of

Based on its history, it can be argued that the United States is itself composed of immigrants; thus, to put limits on immigration would be to contradict its own existence. Immigration has been critical to the history of the United States and has contributed significantly to the country in many ways. In addition, I maintain that the forward progress and strength of America as a country depends on, and benefits from, an immigrant population. Type equation here. ...we are and always will be a "Every American who ever lived, nation of immigrants. We

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.

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.

“We are nation of immigrants. Some came here willingly, some unwillingly. Nonetheless, we are immigrants, or the descendants of immigrants, one, and all. Even the natives came from somewhere else, originally. All of the people who come to this country come for freedom, or for some product of that extraordinary, illusory condition. That is what we offer here—freedom and opportunity in a land of relative plenty.” (Middletown Journal 2005)

In the United States illegal immigration is a major problem. this problem has led to other issues in this country and has existed for decades . Although it is a problem, it is a source of business for farmers in the United States and drug dealers. It is a controversial issue with many opinions on it. There is not one solution to this problem, politicians including the president have proposed various solutions, but are not supported by the general public. In this research paper I will be discussing the various reasons many illegal immigrants are motivated to cross to the U.S illegally.

Furthermore, the proper outlook here is one where we acknowledge that we have these potentially undocumented individuals living and working in the United States, and they aren’t going be be removed all at once, so while these individuals are here, why not give them the necessary tools and programs to allow them to function as productive members of society without restriction. In many of our readings, we’ve witnessed legislation that has also played a role in the deterred success of illegal immigrants and those here legally. Legislation such as barring immigrants from being able to acquire driving license or being able to receive healthcare benefits are laws that not only hurt the immigrant population, but also the American population.

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,

“My fellow Americans, we are and always will be a nation of immigrants. We were strangers once, too.” This quote, spoken by Barack Obama in 2014, is about the topic of the immigration system. Immigrants are what make up America, and all that come here are faced with great difficulty. They can face discrimination, struggles getting on their feet, and strive for the American Dream. The American Dream is a belief that everyone will have equal opportunities to succeed and get a better life. This is found in the hearts of almost all immigrants, no matter where they come from. This had led to waves of people flooding into the United States. The most notable wave that has occurred was in the late 1800’s to early 1900’s. During this time, thousands of Lithuanians flooded through Ellis Island into America; their change from their lives in Lithuania, to their work experience and education, their lives in America had overall left a positive impact on society.

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.

Immigration is a controversial topic that has impacted our society for decades perplexed by policies media coverage, perceptions based on one’s own lack of knowledge, personal experiences and a host of other factors that influence how our society views immigrants and immigration policies. The United States is a diverse population of people and filled with experiences that come from various walks of life that contribute to enhancing our social culture, economic development, and cultural acceptance.