U.S. IMIGRATION POLICY: Bipartisan Immigration Reform Bill - Essay Example

US IMIGRATION POLICY: Bipartisan Immigration Reform Bill (The Border Security, Economic Opportunity & Immigration Modernization Act 2013) Being one of the most prosperous and developed nations, United States has always been a lucrative destination for skilled and unskilled workers all over the world. in recent times, US is experiencing immigration rates in past few years. Also, a large section of these people neither abide by the regulations lay by proper immigration channels, nor possess adequate documents. The total number of such undocumented workers amount to 12-20 millions, a matter of serious concern for US. At the same time, Border Security of US is compromised as lots of Mexicans illegally immigrate to US. Also, in present times there are higher incidents overstays once the visas are expired (United States Immigration Reform). Bipartisan immigration reform Bill (2013) is the latest amendment brought about by US in its exiting immigration policy. Six components of this act are- Border Security Plan, Border Fence Plan, Border Security Metrics, Border Commission, Employment Verification and Exit System to Stop Visa Overstays” (The Toughest Border Security & Enforcement Measures In U.S. History). However, the Immigration Modernization Act (2013) has not yet passed. A draft Bill has been passed on 17th April, 2013. The final form of the Bill is still in a stage of negotiation in the Parliament House. US government, especially President Obama intends to pass the final form of this Bill by 2013. Thus, it is hoped that the Bill will pass soon with an immediate effect in 2013 itself. Regarding this Bill, I would prefer to be the activist and support the reforms that are proposed through the draft Bill. The bipartisan immigration reform Bill must be supported for it brings too many reforms with it. Firstly, the Bill aims resolving the complications regarding the existing system of obtaining US citizenship. It is hoped that it will help those people who have already immigrated to US to become permanent citizens of US. It will put an end to the discrimination often practiced in US based on legal documentation. Secondly, it would also simplify the conditions for hiring undocumented workers, opposed to the present practice where the undocumented ones are issued green cards only after 10 years. Thirdly, the overall cost for immigrating as well as the number of immigrants in US will be lowered. This will make availability of skilled labor at cheaper rate, in an easier and quick way. (Carter). Comparative Analysis United States President Barrack Obama, has welcomed the amended provisions and has urged the Senate to move forward with the Bill and has also mentioned that the amendments thus brought into the Bill is not enough to ensure happiness of all American citizens, including himself, thereby referring the Bill as “clearly a compromise”. On behalf of the Office of the President, it has also been declared that the Bill is to be endowed with highest significance and therefore, shall be treated with highest priority. (Julia). The Bill is welcomed by Federal Executive Departments of US. US Judiciary department is in favor of the amendments introduced by the Bill, especially the clause of S.744. Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano has approved of the measures to be undertaken regarding order security force. (Guest). State of the Union representative Paul Ryan, too welcomed the Bill (Gomez). Labor leaders from Service Employee International Union and U.S. Chamber of Commerce, however did not welcome the Bill as compared to the other departments, because of the policies regarding border security; immigrants and tax- related issues (Edwards-Levy). The House of Representatives were all in praise for the Immigrant Bill. According to them, the Bill is a significant step for coping up with the grave problems of US immigration system. They also hold the view that the Bill will allow millions of Americans to fulfill their dreams by becoming legal citizens of US. There are numerous “promising components” in Bill, which when implemented would bring about “real change”. Committees involved in the immigration reform Bill (Immigration Bill Draws Mixed Reactions from AAPI Communities). The Senate posses a different opinion regarding immigration reform Bill. A section of the Senate feels that the Bill is “not complete” and that there are not enough provisions for citizenship for same- sex- partners. For such cases, proposed regulations will be too lengthy and expensive (Shinn). The House Judiciary Committee is responsible for overseeing the propounded immigration laws. Federal District Courts of US have opined that the prosecution changes brought by Obama government might face some serious consequences. Board of Immigration Appeals, the appellate body of US is worried about consistent enforcement of the provisions (Mann). The provisions proposed in the draft Bill needs to be revised as because they do not comply with the ordinance issued by the Supreme Court of US related to Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA), which ensures that married couple will become lawful permanent residents of US (Werlin). The immigrant reform has invoked multiple reactions. The reactions are of mixed type. While some organizations and agencies strongly supported it, others opposed vehemently. The pro- reform stakeholders are of the view that the Bill will bring about optimistic outcomes by acquiring a legalized process for immigration and citizenship. The AFL-CIO as well as Asian- American Groups, however, have rejected the on the grounds of biased views related to visa for the siblings of U.S citizens. Human Rights Campaign, Hispanic Leadership Network, US Conference of Catholic Bishops welcomed the Bill for safeguarding America’s legacy and the provisions to fight against discrimination, and regarded it as a stepping stone for young and vibrant achievers (Dann). Impacts on the Policy Process From the perspective of Federal system of US, the Bill would increase budget costs, both in short as well as the long term. It is anticipated that implementation of proposed provisions will further lead America into debt. One of the benefits of this Bill is that it will simplify the legal procedures and expenses for issuing 4.5 immigrants who are waiting for legal US citizenship (U.S. Immigration Reform: Is It Possible?). Several laws are proposed regarding family immigration. This is expected to lessen the burden of disputable cases in American courts regarding immigration. Introduction of this Bill would build up scopes for 11 million people residing in US to become permanent legal citizens. The State will be benefitted by this as it will ensure paying of taxes by immigrants as well as skilled workforce at relatively cheaper rates. At the same time hospitality, construction, and other industries will expand as the Bill supports issuing of W-visa for low- skilled immigrants. Moreover, the Bill will also ensure tougher border security system, thereby ensuring interests and safety of US. At the same time, it will also promote their culture and heritage as the immigrants will be required to learn English (Chandorkar). Political parties have varied opinions regarding this Bill. While the Representatives are favoring the Bill, the Senate is opposing some of its clauses. But all the parties in US have unanimously agreed upon the need for improving the immigration process (Over 100 Current and Former Attorneys General send Letters to Congressional Leadership Urging Action.). Media has also responded positively to this Bill. Though the implementations are not as easy as they seem, but the media, too, is hopeful that it would improve the present systems. Summary Considerations The Bill is the result of the collaborated act put forward by eight senators, ‘Gang of Eight’ in Parliament. Out of them, four are Democrats and the other four Republicans (Indian outsourcers face higher H-1B fees if new US immigration law is passed). One of the adverse effects of this Bill is that, it will increase the budget spent on border security purpose. The Bill will be useful for monitoring arrival of immigrants. It would also lower the cost of pensioning as well as other miscellaneous costs as the immigrants have tendency to migrate back to their native countries. Discrimination and biasness will also get reduced when the provisions on the Bill will be implemented (Berman). At the same time, it would also stabilize the political conflicts that often occur over education policies, multiculturalism, inflation, minority groups, etc, by giving the immigrants equal status as other US’s citizens. US’s economy is badly hit by recession, and till now it has not achieved equilibrium. The Immigration Reform Bill is expected to affect the economy in a positive way, by increasing demand and availability of goods and services all across US, a step which will be immensely effective keeping in mind the present status of US economy. National productivity of US will also increase multifold as the undocumented workforce will directly contribute to American Gross Domestic Product. On the whole, it is expected that whole of US’s life and economy will change within a decade due to this reform Bill (Yohn). Whether the provisions in the Bill are to be implemented or not is still negotiated in US. State and Federal government of US is divided in their opinions regarding amendments in the present immigration laws. While it is argued that due to lucid immigrant regulations, more and more Americans will lose job opportunities, it is also stated that a bulk of the immigrants are low- skilled and ignorant, and therefore it would be unfruitful to pave their ways. But by reviewing the clauses included in the draft Bill, I personally feel that, the provisions should be implemented. The outcome of this Bill, as interpreted by the Representative definitely carries promises of positive outcomes. The Immigration Reform Bill would be more beneficial if certain provisions are added. If workforces having higher qualification are allowed in more number, it would contribute more in American Gross Domestic Product. Thus, regulations for highly educated immigrants can be made more lucid. Also, the Senate Judiciary Committee could come into more compromising terms with Supreme Court regarding family laws. Works Cited Berman, Jillian. “Immigration Reform Could Help Fix Country's Social Security Problem: Study”. The Huffington Post. 18 April, 2013. Web. 26 Apr, 2013 Read More