Policy Reform Debate on Boundaries - Essay Example

Immigration Reform Insert Insert Insert March 2, I. Introduction a) Summarize policy reform debate briefly Policy reform debate on boundaries is an ongoing debate in the United States since 9/ 11 terrorist attacks. It is based on realignment of the US immigration system and national security enforcement. The expansion of immigration policy is the major goal of the whole debate where new enforcement measures are considered as the ultimate achievements of the debate. Basic new laws on immigration controls are focused upon legislature’s aggressiveness on enforcement. It is meant to meet the needs of the ever-growing population of the immigrant families that represent one in four people in the states (Batalova and Fox 1). b) Statement of your position I support this debate since it will work to bridge the gap between generations as well as helping the government in its policies and planning in terms of budget and human capital usability. Through the reform, boarder security measures will be enhanced. This reform will create a support system to the immigrants who have been forced to immigrate due to hard economic times, lack of opportunities, and lack of proper social guarantees in their home country (Rosenblum and Brick 1). The future care of the immigrants in the US will be handled by the reform, which will ensure they get included in the health care proposals and taxpayer-funded public benefits. c) My approach to this paper To handle the matter on immigration reform and the ongoing debate, I will do a comparative analysis of the debate through thoughtful discussion on the policy realignment and enlightenment within the US. My major point of focus will be on the achievements and the recommendations on the reforms while seeking solutions on the upcoming differences between the federalists and the anti-federalist. II. Comparative analysis a) Social contract (representative governance) Among many reforms focused on immigration, representative governance is one way to ensure that needs of immigrants are met. A successful integration of immigrants and the locals in terms of governance is related to US realignment of its policies on social contracts. Providing leadership opportunities within them could create opportunities for successful integration (Jimenez 18). However, this has not been the case since federal government’s steps towards creating such opportunities have been so micro. There are youths in the third generation that are still considered unauthorized hence calling for tough enforcements for legalization (Rosenblum 2). Though they have ensured that immigrants are civically engaged, federal leadership policy needs a major realignment if a successful integration will be achieved. b) Classical Liberalism (natural rights) As human beings, immigrants have their rights. With the continued number of immigrants, “state government has succeeded at passing integration-oriented legislation: 19% of immigration related bills passed by US state legislatures in 2007 expanded the rights of immigrants” (Jimenez 18). Immigrants’ are taught on their rights as one realignment strategy to foster classical liberalism. This has created an implementation stage for new enforcement measures related to migration benefits hence allowing participation, which is positive for economic growth. For the youths born and brought up in the US, citizenship status has been proved to determine their performance both in class and in the workplace. Those born to illegal immigrants tend to perform below their ability since they are aware of the laws against their presence in the US. Therefore, there is need for tough worksite enforcements, legalization, and family-based visa reforms, which will regulate unauthorized immigrants but support for the legal immigrants. c) Faction (pluralism) It is worth noting that the debate has acknowledged the contribution of the immigrants to the workforce. It is recorded that youth and young adults between the age of 16-26 years assume the greatest role in the US workforce ages since workforce in the service industry is less when dependent on the Americans alone (Batalova and Fix 1). Their massive contribution is important for the continued vibrancy of the US economy. Reforms on how to develop them through language training programs will place them at a position to perform better within the US than they have been doing before. This will establish a pluralism kind of coexistence between the natives and the immigrants. The reforms will enhance immigrant’s employability within the US hence ending high unemployment of immigrants especially during economic downturns (Rosenblum and Kate 25). d) Ambition (Elitism) According to Hernandez, immigrant’s labor force has a great benefit to the US economy (1). He classified the country to be suffering from over- and under- educated workforce. Over meaning, very few Americans will choose to work in labor-intensive jobs and under meaning, very few Americans are skilled in technical jobs (Hernandez 1). This calls for toleration of any elite willing to work and relocate to the US from any part of the world. The debate is aimed at getting to that level where appropriate measures will be established in support of expertise immigration hence saving revenue on outsourcing jobs. e) Federalist position The federal government has been working to defend the nation from illegal intrusion. The government in the debate is aiming at obtaining a stand on burning the illegal intruders as a way of enhancing state security. Since economic attractions is the main attraction point for aliens, the immigration reforms are aimed at making sure that no illegal immigrants get into the country by imposing heavy fines on any person who takes them in. This includes termination of professional license to such persons (State Legislators for Legal Immigration 1). Therefore, the debate through legislature is focused on putting Americans protection ahead of any alien invasion. Legal migration is going to be enhanced through increased demands on attaining an entry visa that will verify citizenship before immigration takes place. f) Anti-federalist position Anti-federalist are among them that are against Comprehensive Immigration Reforms (CIR). They have been skeptical on the success of the immigration reforms hence creating a state of controversy over the policy itself. The reforms are based on “legislation combining enforcement, legalization, and changes to the visa system” (Rosenblum 2). Anti-federalist argues that not all immigrants whether legal or illegal are criminals. Only a few are out to disrupt the peace of the Americans. However, anti-federalist are not to blame for their stand since there is freedom of expression. They have reasons for not supporting CIF since they feel that there have been discontinuities made by the broken systems. Immigration control to them is not a way of conflicting terrorism; instead, policy enhancement is the way out. They argue that, “Immigration policymaking is strongly biased in favor of enforcement rather than legalization of visa reform” (Rosenblum 10). g) Constitutional perspective Immigration is considered as a form of invasion. The government through the constitution in article 4, section 4 emphasize on guaranteeing every state in the republic a form of government that protects against invasion. The immigration reforms are aimed at ensuring that the article is followed while strengthening the bond with the legal immigrants. The debate in this matter is focused on defining the fate of the so called ‘anchor babies’, meaning children born by illegal immigrants obtaining citizenship and taxpayer-funded public benefits (State Legislators for Legal Immigration 1). Law enforcement teams are using the constitution as a reference point to defend citizens from damages that come with intrusion by illegal immigrants. h) Bill of rights perspective Bill of right is designed to protect the rights of everybody in their different categories. It challenges constitutional abuses from immigration enforcement at every level and guarantees justice to all under the law. While the bill protects the rights and privileges of the US citizens, legal immigrants are also protected. The reforms have allowed immigrants with citizenship status to vote as part of their rights hence participating in the political as well as social process (Jimenez 15). III. Solutions: the principle of compromise and consensus a) Federal perspective According to Jimenez (18), the small steps taken by the federal government towards attaining immigration integration policy is part of the solution to the contention on legalization of immigrants’ status. Though at the moment the policy is only applicable to them that are termed as refugees, this approach is aimed at establishing lasting solutions to boarder security since the immigrants will be answerable to the federal government once integration takes place. The federal government needs to ensure that there is continuity that has been seen to be lacking by anti-federalists. Since both the federal and anti-federalist agree that not all immigrants are ill minded, their focus should be in establishing strong policies that define legal and illegal immigrants. Through acknowledging the contribution of the elites from foreign countries, allowing immigration either through citizenship or on visit status will be one way of enhancing continued benefits to the US economy. b) States perspective Enforcement efforts have seen to it that states reduce the number of unauthorized immigrants’ population. Visa reforms and legalization will be the best solution to establishing definition for legal and illegal immigrants. The states in their independent leadership programs will see to it that only legal immigrants get into the country. Policy reforms calls for a response that is not politically directed so that a clear cut can be made on the definition of the states immigration bills (Rosenblum 11). This will take the states above the challenges that arise and threaten the future of the US immigration reform. c) Cooperative federalism perspective The reforms can only be beneficial to both the immigrants and the local communities if handled from the views of both the federalist and the anti-federalist perspective. There is need for cooperation if protection for the citizens is to be established without any political interests from either side. The cooperation calls for both parties to give priority to constitutional commitment to protect citizens against intrusion of any manner. Both sides in the reforms are working to ensure that American interests are first met while promoting economic and community growth. These interests include giving opportunities to immigrants to learn and serve the communities through their expertise. Both legal and illegal immigrants’ children should be permitted to access education as a way of inspiring them to do well academically in preparation for the opportunities set ahead. d) My proposal and perspective My proposal is that the policy reform should be for legal and illegal immigrants. Both should arrive at a concession on the level in which one gets the legal status. For the legal immigrants, supporting their integration will be one way of enhancing comfortable stay. This will act as shield to their rights against any violation that may occur at the point of “cleaning” illegal immigrants from the US. Children and youths born in the country should have legal status since some of them do not have anywhere else to go apart from the US. Their protection should be guaranteed as citizens through assured employment opportunities as a motivation to high performance. This will help them diversify their occupational profiles to be an important part of the workforce in a more productive way. Works Cited “State Legislators for Legal Immigration Personally Deliver Illegal Alien Invasion Halting Marching Orders on Pearl Harbor Day.” State Legislators for Legal Immigration. n. p., 12 July 2007. Web. 2 March 2012. Batalova, Jeanne and Fix, Michael. Up For Grabs: The Gains and Prospects of First- and Second Generation Young Adults. Washington, DC: Migration Policy Institute, 2011. Print. Hernandez, Luis. Immigration Equals Economic Prosperity, According to a New Study. Borderzine, 21 October 2011. Web. 2 March 2012. Jimenez, Tomas R. Immigrants in the United States: How Well Are They Integrating into Society? Washington, DC: Migration Policy Institute, 2011. Print. Rosenblum, Marc R. US Immigration Policy since 9/11: Understanding The Stalemate Over Comprehensive Immigration Reform. Washington, DC: Migration Policy Institute, 2011. Print. Rosenblum, Mark R. and Brick, Kate. US Immigration Policy and Mexican/ Central American Migration Flows: Then and Now. Washington, DC: Migration Policy Institute, 2011. Print. Read More