Domestic Policy Issue - Immigration - Research Paper Example

?Introduction Immigration is among the most controversial and emotional issues that elicits great debate on the way to deal with the issue. Illegal immigrant debate usually leads to emotional and heated discussion. There is always varied talk regarding economic, social as well as enforcement issues, nonetheless, it is important to understand that immigration cannot be resolved by laws and policies, rather it calls for humanitarian, social and economical measures that should be put in place to address the situation. Why is this issue a problem that government needs to deal with? Immigration remains a big problem that faces U.S. with thousands of both legal and illegal immigrants entering the country every year; the huge numbers of these immigrants continue to attract hot debate on how best to handle them. Immigrant workers take up some jobs that Americans workers would have taken, since they are ready to work for cheaper wages. At the same time, illegal immigrants get healthcare services, welfare as well as money, obtained from American taxpayers. Immigrants suck up the limited resources of U.S. and the taxpayers’ money. Because they gain benefits such as welfare, education and healthcare, yet they do not pay taxes hence to do not help in solving American problems. One reason why immigrants remain a big concern to Americans is because many companies continue to employ them, and their numbers continue to increase. With hard economic situation facing America, and the high number of unemployment, losing more jobs to immigrants compounds the issue further. Despite the various laws enacted to address this issue, these laws have not been very successful as the numbers suggest. In deed it is estimated that up to 18 million illegal immigrants stay currently reside in America (Morrison, 2010). What complicate the issue most is the many humanitarian as well as economical issues. Since September 11, it became clear that immigrants could lead to security threat to American, since some of these immigrants were out to commit crimes. Thus need to address the issue by the government. What solutions have been proposed by the president, Congress, interest groups etc. Many people feel that there is need to come up with measures and laws to restrict immigrants from entering America, and that the borders should strictly be guarded. Those illegal immigrants caught should be handed heavy punishment to discourage others from doing the same. As suggested by WERE, the government should as well carry out regular checks within corporations in relation to hiring illegal workers and those companies found to engage immigrants in their labor force ought also to be punished through fines. The government should as well increase its border patrol particularly along the Mexican border because thousands of immigrants cross to America using this border. As observed by Morrison (2010) people can simply walk to America through Mexican border unnoticed, and even if they are caught they simply return the next day. President’s solutions President Obama hold the view that the current immigration system is broken and can only be rectified by tackling real issues and avoiding politics as true solutions are to protect American borders are sought. Thus, Obama proposes that immigration policy need to be directed by the best judgment of Americans in regard to its economy and the welfare of the American workers. Thus, he understand that there is need for a well organized, orderly border as well as an immigration structure that is formulated to address the economic needs that are crucial cornerstones of a vibrant economy. Accordingly, President Obama proposed the following four key aspects: Strengthening border control: to tackle immigration Obama has a view that the integrity of American borders is very important. Thus, there is need to improve the infrastructure, technology and increasing the personnel manning the borders and ports of entry to America (The Whitehouse, 2011). Enhancing immigration system: according to president Obama the immigration system has failed and thus there is need to fix it and allow legal immigration in order for families to reunite. Do away with incentives encouraging illegal immigration: one of the reasons that keep immigration high in America is because of available jobs that companies offer illegal immigrants. To curb this, President Obama suggest that is need to do way with incentives to enter America illegally by preventing companies from employing illegal immigrants. Bring out illegal immigrants: another suggestion brought up by Obama is the need to permit illegal immigrants who does not have something to hide to come out and learn English, and become productive citizens (The Whitehouse, 2011). Cooperate with Mexico: Mexico is the main source of illegal immigrants to America, in order to tackle immigration, President Obama suggests that there is need to assist in economic development of Mexico so that reduce the many immigrants from these country who move to America in search of better living. Congress solutions Congress has tried to tackle the issue of immigrants by coming up with laws meant to prevent illegal immigration and to punish those who have already entered the country illegal. Many of these of the laws are meant to prevent entry of illegal immigrants. However, Congress have has also proposed laws to deal with those undocumented immigrants already in the country. Accordingly they proposed a law that requires the illegal immigrants to apply for an American visa and pay the required fee. This will allow them to get a work visa for three years which can also be renewed. However, those who will be unsuccessful will be required to go back to their mother countries. There is also Strive act that will allow immigrant to get a work visa for six years. Those who what to become American citizens would be required to back to their countries and apply from there. All these proposals are meant to address the issue of immigration in the best possible way (Konet and Gelatt, 2007). Views of Interest groups Religious leaders: one of the most prominent interest groups advocating for this issue is the church. According to the evangelical Christian leader under group known as Liberty Counsel, the present practices and policies regarding immigration have got harmful impact on human life and integrity. The Church has thus pointed out that status quo is dissipated and have supported the president by calling for wide-ranging reforms of immigration policies. The suggest that solution lies in emphasizing legality of immigrants and not illegality by creating legal ways for migration as well as extending the legal status of illegal immigrants (Zinn, 2010). They agree also that the law needs to be reformed and enable effective and practical ways of solving the immigration issue. Federation for American Immigration Reform (FAIR): this is another group that has proposed several ways of solving the immigration problem. They argue against those who suggest that illegal workers together with heir family should be denied legal status since they are in the country illegal. According to them the immigration polices formulated by the government are partly to be blame for the high number of immigrants. For instance they point that the government has been increasing the amount of money it spends on border security over the last 15 years, despite this the number of immigrants has continued to increase. This is attributed to the fact that about 80% of male immigrants entering U.S. get jobs; this pulls more immigrants to U.S. Thus, they agree with the President. The group adds that the Americans immigration lave failed to offer legal ways for these immigrants to safely and legally migrate to America to work. According to this group if all illegal workers are sent away, many American industries will suffer particularly the construction industry, and this will hurt the American economy, hence the need for broad based approach. They support the President in calling for measure to encourage illegal immigrants coming out so that they can be documented. American Immigration Council: Though some Hispanic groups have supported the President some have opposed him. One of those opposing the Osama’s proposals on immigration is American Immigration Council, which a liberal advocacy group. The group argues that other Obama has promised to reform laws on immigration and to create a workable system, his government has continued to deport more people than the previous governments. The group criticizes this move, and claim that the government when asked on this contradiction says that it has to continue enforcing the current laws though they fail to address the situation. This double speak is what makes this group to oppose the immigration policies of Obama. The group points out that the President and the whole executive branch have powers to stop the enforcement of these flawed laws as they wait for reforms (The Americano, 2011). SOMOS Repbulicans: this is another pressure group that has differed with the current immigration polices and those proposed by the president. According to this group the best way of solving this issue to enhance the current measures while streaming the process of immigration. Thus the group suggests that the government should improve its border patrol to improve security as one of the measure. However, it points out that immigrants should be given a chance to apply to for immigration and their papers processed on time. This will enable to government to document all those who entering America and keep an eye on their activities. At the same time the group has suggest that there should be e-verification for all jobs to nub those undocumented workers and companies that employ them. Accordingly, they view these as some of the measure that Obama ought to implement urgently. Conclusion From the discussion, it clear the immigration issue is complex one that can not be solved by laws only, there is need for an all inclusive approach from the government and other stakeholders. The number of immigrants has continued to increase and this affects the whole population, thus need for a broad approach. Where the government should tighten its patrol on its borders, companies and businesses that employ these immigrants should as well assist the government in its fight. As noted by Isbister, (2006) the lure of better living and jobs is the main attraction of immigrants entering America. However, there is need for urgent reforms regarding immigration to tackle this issue. References: Dye, R (2008): National Hispanic GOP Group Announces Immigration Solution: Retrieved on 5/8/ 2011 from: http://randysright.wordpress.com/2011/03/08/national-hispanic-gop-group-announces-immigration-solution-randys-right-says-dont-thing-so/ Isbister, J (2006): The immigration debate: remaking America. West Hartford, Conn: Kumarian Press. Konet, D and Gelatt, J (2007): Congress and White House Release Competing Proposals for Immigration Reform: Retrieved on 5/8/ 2011 from: http://www.migrationinformation.org/USfocus/display.cfm?ID=595 Morrison, J (2010): American Mosaic: The Immigrant Experience in the Words of Those Who Lived It. New York: Dutton, Reimers, D (2009): Unwelcome Strangers: American Identity and the Turn against Immigration. New York: Columbia University Press. The Americano (2011): Liberal Organization Criticizes Osama’s Immigration Policy: Retrieved on 5/8/ 2011 from::http://theamericano.com/2011/04/12/liberal-organization-criticizes-obamas-immigration-policy/ The Whitehouse (2011): Immigration: Retrieved on 5/8/ 2011 from: http://www.whitehouse.gov/issues/immigration Zinn, H (2010): Religious Groups Support Obama on Immigration Policies to Court Hispanics: Retrieved on 5/8/ 2011 from: http://politicallyillustrated.com/index.php/news_page/white-house/1594/ Read More