The Immigration Controversy in America - Essay Example

The immigration controversy in America The constitution and declaration of independence in America accompanied by the liberalprinciples enabled it to give American citizenship to people from all over the world. This made America a place for immigration. People from different places and diverse cultures immigrate to America for various reasons. For a long time, immigration has been a disturbing issue in America, especially from the differences spotted between the immigrants and the original American people. However, in recent amendments, anti-immigration claims and efforts have been displayed with seriousness, not minding that the domestic labor supply is not enough in America. The insufficient labor supply in America should actually be solved by considering immigration for people with different skills from other places to foster technology and development. The immigration system in America involves state, labor and justice federal departments. The labor department certifies that the immigrant’s employment shall not be of negative effect to the working conditions, salaries and employment in America. The justice department implements the laws in regards to the immigrants in America. The state department is responsible for distribution of applications to people in search for employment in the US. This also involves administering the immigration law. After immigration, most immigrants seek naturalization, after working in the US for over five years. Over the years, many immigrants have been granted legal status, but recently barriers have been put because of the rising numbers of immigrants. The immigration controversy brings out the conflict between the desires for growth and that for stability. In both cases, the proponents and opponents have their arguments based on the cultural and economic aspects, or status. The recent increase in the number of immigrants is the main reason for the immigration controversy in America. The origins of immigrants also pay a major role in their behavior and this adds to the existing controversy. The massive increase in the immigrants is a threat to the English-speaking heritage, because of the numerous ethic groups changing the ethnic composition of the population. Immigration controversy has been agitated by people especially leaders, who view immigration as a threat to the American culture and the English language. Religion has also been one of the major issues addressed along with the anti-immigration forces. The economic impact caused by immigration is one of the arguments brought forward against immigration in the US. Most immigrants are extremely poor and do not have a high school diploma, which means that they can only qualify for manual jobs as seen in states like California and Texas, where most of them reside. The original residents of America have also feared for jobs, believing that immigrants have been taking over jobs that they could be trained for and occupied. For this reason, they joined in the anti-immigration forces, and this mostly included the African Americans. Political opinions on immigration controversy In recent years, immigration has been developed from a consensus issue into a strongly partisan issue. Some of the republicans support legal and genuine immigration, with some restrictions, while other democrats strictly oppose immigration, in a restricted opinion. This rising partisanship is demonstrated in terms of one principal dimension of party conflict. It is evident that some politicians are committed to controlling illegal immigrants, but others are not serious on the same issue. This is the reason behind the huge immigration controversy. Otherwise, it would not be a difficult issue to tackle if all the politicians agreed on the proper way of controlling immigration. Politicians opinions on legal immigration were mostly based on weak impressions derived from the academic research. In 1996 during the round of immigration reform, most of the republicans insisted that legal immigration should have been controlled because of the runway costs it brings about. They were actually more concerned about the immigrants’ contribution in the economy. The immigration issue that divided the congress in early 1990s was converted by the concern about the cost of immigration to taxpayers. After the World War II, support for legal immigration was mostly given by the Democrats in the north. Democrats in the south were not in support of the expansive immigration policy, since they had not received large numbers of immigrants before the civil war. Immigration in democrats’ areas was higher than in republican areas, but still the republicans did not find the reason for opposing immigration, as the nation has relatively open borders. The Republican Party established its identity in opposing the government’s agenda of the New Deal, and at that time, there was no reason for involving immigration in such policy conflicts. During that period, immigrants arriving in the US were minimum, sometimes even not noticed. In that case, republicans could not see a reason to oppose immigration. Immigrants during that time needed public assistance, which was eventually provided by the federal government. Immigration controversy was not necessary at that time because immigrants receiving government aid were few in numbers. Therefore, the fiscal conservatives did not oppose the move. Immigrant population increased and by 1981, the political opinions on this issue had begun to change. The new and grown immigrant population looked so different and vulnerable for discrimination compared to their European predecessors. Coincidentally, the American economy was undergoing an industrial decline, because of the diminishing supply of good-paying low-skill jobs. Republicans reacted to this by opposing immigration and its expansion, as well as the refugee assistance programs. Political opinions on immigration controversy continue to create conflicts between the republicans and the democrats. African Americans together with Asian and Hispanic members continue to support expansive immigration policy while the white members continue to oppose the policy. Experts’ opinions on immigration controversy Experts in America had the opinion that the America’s recent immigration policies were harsh and unfair, and mainly focused on law enforcement. They argued that the state should first examine the present regime of criminalization of immigrants, and find out what effects have resulted from that, and how it has marginalized the communities. Experts believe that the federal government has the power and responsibility of controlling immigration. Among their several opinions, they insist that if the congress does not act in response to the immigration policy, then the local communities that are affected by the issue will have no option than to take their own measures and act. New haven, also in support of the same opinions, has implemented several measures including the translation of the city documents of vital importance into Spanish. This was an order from the police which was meant to prevent officers from enquiring about immigration, outside a criminal investigation. It was also meant to serve in barring the issuing of ID cards to illegal immigrants. This order helped to reduce crimes in the country and create trust and order among the immigrant community. However, trust and peace was destructed and destroyed when the federal immigration and customs enforcement agents initiated raids and in the process arrested a number of illegal immigrants in the city, in 2007. Experts say that most of the controversies and resentment for immigration are mostly based on their origins, particularly because they are seen as different from the original citizens. Experts’ advice and opinion is that Americans should learn to get past that mentality and work towards a more open-door policy because America is enriched by immigrants. They argue that legal immigration should not be treated like a crime since people are looking for better lives. However, caution should be observed when dealing with immigration, to curb illegal immigration. Americans’ opinions on immigration In recent research carried out, majority of the American community support legal immigration. They feel that deporting immigrants is not fair, because they participate in boosting the US economy, since majority of them work very hard. Majority of the Americans feel that immigrants should be given legal status. On the other hand, a number of Americans have the opinion that giving immigrants legal status would diminish government’s resources and encourage more immigrants to go to the US through illegal means. This shows that even the citizens have controversial views regarding immigration. This means that it would be difficult for the politicians to strike any deal on the issue. Among the republicans, about half of them had the opinion that illegal immigrants should not be allowed to continue living in the country at all. The rest of the republicans had divided opinions. Some said that America should not allow immigrants to apply for legal status until the borders are in good control. Others said that immigrants should be given the chance to apply for legal status while the borders are being secured and put in better control. The democrats as well, had varying opinions. About half of them suggested that immigrants should be allowed to apply for legal status while the borders are being secured. The other democrats had different opinions; with some saying that no legalization should be carried out until the borders are secured. The rest said that border security is not supposed to be part of the new immigration laws. Some of the American people also feel that the state needs more people and they should be allowed legal status, so they can help in paying taxes. This opinion is however overshadowed by the law on immigration, bearing in mind that it can lead to more cases of illegal immigration. American citizens have a wide range of opinions regarding immigration. On one hand it can be beneficial to the US if more of them are given legal status, but on the other hand, there are consequences and risks involved. Policy makers’ opinions on immigration controversy Immigration policy remains one of the most controversial issues in California. This was not the case in the 1960s because members of the congress didn’t pay much attention to the immigration policy. The republicans and democrats were not involved in any conflict regarding the matter. Since the late 1990s immigrants and immigration policies have become controversial and brought division among the policy makers. The landmark law initiated in 1965 has created numerous changes in immigration including the increase in the number of immigrants and its influence to the social and cultural life, as well as character and behavior. All across the country, there is lack of a coordinated and strong expression of opinions of the public which has given the proponents of a liberal policy so much strength. Much of the division displayed among the policy-makers is due to the disagreements concerning the costs and benefits of immigration, from the 1970s. America is an economy that requires skilled labor and it’s the reason behind the rise in the aid programs for the immigrants, and increase in the number of interested immigrants. Policy makers are therefore cautious and afraid of the effects that could result from immigration. The role of immigrants on elections is also a major concern for the policy makers, as they play an important role in states like California. Illegal immigration has been a major challenge in the US, especially because of the effects it poses on the community. Illegal immigrants are usually driven by ill intentions, and are mostly responsible for a number of crimes committed in the states. Since they enter the country illegally, they go along with their activities hiding from the authorities. Therefore, most of the activities and carried out are illegal as they cannot get jobs from the government. Such immigrants bring about negative influence to the American economy as well as the political status. In conclusion, legal immigration is not a problem if the right measures are put to control the borders. However, it is important for the politicians, policy makers and the American people to agree on the measures to be taken concerning immigration. If different groups have conflicting opinions concerning the same issue, it gets difficult to come into a conclusion and solve the problem. Legal immigration has helped boost the American economy by providing skilled labor and helping in developing the technology. However, in present day, most of the issues and laws made in regards to immigration have been implemented and there is control over immigration though there are still a few challenges. References Colin Ross; Experts Discuss Immigration. October 2008. http://yaledailynews.com/blog/2008/10/24/experts-discuss-immigration/ James R. Edward Jr. James G. Gimpel; The Changing Politics of Immigration Policymaking in Congress. July 1998. http://cis.org/ImmigrationPolitics-CongressionalPolicymaking James G. Gimpel; From Consensus to Controversy: The Congressional Politics of US Immigration Policy. 2000. Poll shows Americans conflicted over immigration debate http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2013/06/22/americans-immigration-pew-poll-congress-amnesty-citizenship/2448895/ Industrial relations counselors; The immigration controversy. 1999 http://www.ircounselors.org/irconcepts/1999fall.html Daniel J. Tichenor: The Politics of Immigration Reform in the United States, 1981-1990. Read More