Immigration Reform in the US - Essay Example

Immigration Reform U.S global competitiveness is a question that has been nagging to policymakers and think tanks given that the issue of immigration reform touches on the economic stability of the nation. Apparently, US have realized that it attracts, and host so many immigrants who sometimes fail to report to their countries or seek extension of their visas after expiry. These issues have drawn debate over the future of United States following immigration Reforms. Many leaders have given their opinions regarding the immigration reform process focusing on its implication to the future of the United States. For instance, the statement made by President Barrack Obama gave a clear indication that immigration reforms was a weighty issues that required adequate deliberation for the sake of the U.S. global competitiveness. The US government has noted that Mexico border has acted as an entry point of illegal immigrants in the United (Grossmann 193). In my opinion, immigration reform would change the face of United States labor market. Immigration reform debate seeks to identify amicable methods of solving immigration problems in the United States. II. Comparative and Analysis: a) Social Contract Immigrants willing to come into America for whatever reasons should seek a Visa. This is the requirement provided by the immigration laws of the United States of America. Notably, many immigrants that come to United States seek this process. However, after stepping into the United States, some fail to show up to the authority after the expiry of their visas. The second category of immigrants that United States house, are immigrants who illegally cross the border of Mexico. The third category of immigrants is those who have followed legal channel to get into the United States, and are in the United States legally. These categories make immigration reform a complex issue, which requires policies which argue on a broad spectrum. Arguably, solution to the immigration problem lies on proper policies that aim at bettering the current immigration situation (Coates 40). Social contract perspective argues in favor of the role of the government and the relationship that exists between the government and its subject (Stacy 123). The role of government in instituting policies that guide immigration reforms is quite elaborate in this perspective. In representative governance, a body that governs a particular segment of the society must take charge as per the mandate bestowed upon it. In this case, the body charged with the reform agenda has to weigh the gravity of the issue and recommend or execute policies, which it has deliberated. Representative bodies would keep the government updated about the number of illegal and legal immigrants. Further, the body is able to tame the influx of illegal immigrants who are entering the country. b) Classical Liberalism Classical liberalism advocates for the freedom of the people while limiting the power of the states. This factor has lacked in many countries. In many cases, freedom has been denied and the state has assumed more power hence citizens are not free anymore. The argument about immigration reform does not limit freedom of the people. Classical liberalism perspective would address immigration reforms while considering the freedom or rights of the immigrants. It is arguable, that the US government has respect for the freedom of her people including the immigrants, yet, it is wrong to impinge the government stop addressing issues of immigration reforms. Further, it is important to note that a free market and free movement must follow some principles. When principles fail to take their course, issues such as drug trafficking, criminal activities and other forms of vises would take toll in the name practicing principles of classical liberalism. Immigration reforms based on classical liberalism perspective will address the issues of immigration while respecting natural rights of the people (Coates 68). In essence, the perspective would weigh the importance of immigration verses the policies of the government. History of Jews Holocaust argues that immigration policies of the United States prevented immigration of the Jews. Arguably, immigration policies denied the entry of the Jews leading to their death. However, it is important to balance immigration policies with the prevailing situations in the globe. c) Faction (pluralism) Faction debating on immigration reform in the US has different perspectives of argument. The primary factor that influences immigration reform is the contribution of immigrants to the economy of the nation. Other than economy, political interest of various politicians has led to faction perspective in immigration reform. Factions debating on the immigration reform should comprise on a number of deliberation based on different perspective given to the immigration issue. For instance, some immigrants have been to the United States for many years, yet they have never bothered to seek legal redress to their issue. It is quite apparent that faction perspective may be unable to address immigration reforms because it does not conclusively debate on the issue. d) Ambition (Elitism) Elitism perspective argues in favor of the haves in the society. This perspective gives the elite the power to rule or make decision on the behalf of the people. The elites have big business that requires labor. Apparently, many immigrants living in the United States work in firms owned by the elite in the society. Deliberations on immigration reforms must put into consideration, the view of the elites in the society. On the contrary, it should not mean that elitism aim is to hamper the reform process. Further, elitism does not mean total dominance in the society. Since many people believe in the dominance of power by the elites, policies, which protect immigrants, would provide equal opportunity to the society. It is also arguable that elitism dominated the United States politics in the past century. Current political trends protect and identify the contribution of various individuals in the society. e) Federalist position Federalist perspective views the issues of immigration reform in terms of constitutional provisions. The provisions in the constitution state the kind of relationship that should exist between United States and immigrants. However, majority of immigrants have failed to uphold the requirements of the constitution. Immigrant advocates would argue in favor of a policy that respects human dignity, which they feel the constitution does not provide. It is probable that provisions in the constitution do elusively cover the plight of immigrants. Further, federal perspective may lead to deportation of the immigrants based on provisions stipulated in the constitution. Federalist perspective promotes interest in the constitution thus making the immigration reforms a complex issue. United States of America has a history of immigrants. It is observable that immigration into the United States is not an issue that began today or yesterday. Developing policies based on the needs that rise in the society would provide the best means of deliberating on immigration reforms. Administrative tools provided in the constitution have the capacity to give opportunity for deliberation. Further, it is important to note that constitution does not answer all the questions that American people ask. However, it is arguable that federal principles guide and provide the foundation of governance. f) Anti-federalist position Anti-federalist view to the immigration reform believes in institution of policies that are feasible and sensible. According to the anti-federalist, people who are opposed to the immigration reforms do not peg their argument on realistic foundation. Anti-federalist believe in policies that address immigration issues cutting on those sides i.e. the effects of the policy to the social wellbeing of the immigrant and the effects of the policy to the united states (Grossmann 143). According to the anti-federalist settling of the best immigration policies, attract the use of ballot box. However, the complexity with the anti-federal perspective crops when the issue goes to the hands of the voters. When it comes to voting, the majority may institute policies, which have detrimental effects to the society provided they have won in the ballot box. In addition, voting proper policies require strategic campaign mechanism that woos the voters to support the policy. g) Constitutional Perspective Constitution perspective on immigration argues that immigration problems and issues can be fixed by the constitution. Immigration problems started long before the creation of the constitution. This means that constitution did not provide adequate legislations which could address issues of immigration. Arguably, the provisions in the constitutions form the basis of all policies adopted in the nation. Commenting on this issue, it is evident that constitutional perspective can provide a room for developing immigration reforms (Arnold 123). It is also apparent that constitutional perspective on the reform can be used to draft policies which would address immigration problems. h) Bill of Rights Perspective Bill of right perspective on the immigration reforms argue that the basis of immigration reforms should be based on the bill of rights. According to this perspective, the US government’s obligation is implement policies that protect humanity (Arnold 214). It means that policies drafted to address immigration reforms must address issues affecting immigrants’ rights. It is also important to note that the government has the ability to withdraw an individual right when situations demands. In essence, immigration reforms based on these perspective does not only address issues affecting the lives of Americans, but also the immigrants. III. Solutions: the principle of consensus and compromise a) Federalism perspective Federalism perspective to immigration reforms argues in favor of the responsibility of federal states in exercising its authority on the activities of immigrants in the US. The federal states are able to come up with policies, which would reform the immigration sector. Arguably, the authority of the federal states comes from the federal government. This means that policies drafted by federal states would help in bringing reforms to the existing immigration policies. Further, federal states are able to identify and charge immigrants on behalf of the federal government. b) States perspective States approach argues that immigration reform should focus on issues affecting the state. Policies drafted according to this perspective seek to defend the principles behind the formation of the states. The notion on immigration reform attracts advocates who feel the solution to the reform process lies on the hands of state policy makers. It is quite probable that policy markers are able to influence the direction of the reform debate. It is also important to note that the approach gives authority to each state to address its immigration reform. c) Cooperative Federalism perspective Cooperative federalism perspective seeks to adopt the federalism principles while cooperating with other stakeholders to reform the immigration policies. This approach that this perspective take to immigration reforms addresses issues touching on the federal laws and the influence the immigration reform would bring to the United States (Coates 70). It is arguable that accepting poor policies would impact on relationship between United States and other countries. Immigration policies usually influence trade, labor, and economic growth of the nation. d) My Proposal and perspective My proposal to immigration reforms in United States of America takes the classical liberalism perspective. This is because immigration reforms should aim at bringing lasting solution to the current states of events. Many of what have been though as solutions have turned to impact negatively to people and the society as well. From my perspective, the use of classical liberalism approach would bring into consideration existing policies of immigration as well as debating on future policies. This perspective would strike a balance between the existing policies of immigration and policies to be created (Coates 47). Largely, creation of policies, which support one party, would have adverse effect to the party in question. In addition, involving all parties creates a room for comprising issues based on their gravity to the pointed question. I also feel that the US government should develop clear policies, which would influence immigration into the United States based on the need of the immigrants. Other than this approach, the federal state authority should be able to coordinate immigrant data in order to identify immigrants who are not willing to return to their countries after the expiry of their visas. Work cited Arnold, R. Kathleen. Anti-Immigration in the United States: A Historical Encyclopedia. California: ABC-CLIO. 2011. Print. Coates, David. Getting immigration right: what every American needs to know. Virginia: Potomac Books, Inc., 2009. Grossmann, Matt. The Not-So-Special Interests: Interest Groups, Public Representation, and American Governance. California: Stanford University Press. 2012. Stacy, Lee. Mexico and the United States. New York: Marshall Cavendish. 2002. Print. Read More