Current Issues Regarding Immigrants in the US - Essay Example

? [23 November Concerned Citizen UNITED S OF AMERICA Advice Memorandum November 23, 2012 TO: Barack Obama, President United States of America FROM: [Name of Student], Concerned Citizen United States of America SUBJECT: CURRENT ISSUES REGARDING IMMIGRANTS IN THE U.S. Section 1. BACKGROUND OF IMMIGRATION SYTEM IN THE U.S. 1.1 BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Many people around the world choose first world countries as destination to travel to and to live in permanently with their respective families. As a result, these countries’ population comprises a significant number of immigrants which makes immigration policy a top priority for them. These immigrants largely affect the country in terms of its economy, legislation, national security, population growth and other national and legal issues. Likewise, the current immigration system in the United States of America is a very important topic because it concerns the security, social, political, and economic aspect of the country. On the other end, it also concerns the welfare of millions of people who migrated from other countries all over the world to America. In line with this, it is realized that a considerable time must be devoted in discussing the current immigration in the United States of America. Moreover, a reform must be done to further improve the immigration system of the country to maximize the benefits that can be derived both for the immigrants and for the country. On this memorandum, it presents the three most pressing issues regarding immigrants in the U.S. as these issues have current situations that are considered most problematic. It then offers and discusses a possible solution for each issue regarding immigrants in the country. Lastly, the implications of the proposed solutions are related to different interest groups. 1.2 IMMIGRATION IN THE UNITED STATES For many years, immigration contributed a large percentage on the population growth of America. The United States of America has been the number one destination for immigrants seeking a place to realize their desired lives, thus gives birth to the “American Dream”. In 2006, the United Nations reported that the total immigrant population in the world amounts to approximately 186,579,300 and 20.56% of which is in the United States of America (“International Migration”). The America has almost four times that of Russia’s 6.47% which has the second most number of immigrants in the world. In another account, the 2009 American Community Survey of the United States Census Bureau shows that there are 38,517,234 immigrants in the United States (“Migration Policy Institute”). That is about 12.5% of the U.S. population which is significant enough to affect many aspects of the United States as a country. The number of immigrants in the U.S. continues to increase by 700,000 each year (“Real Problem with Immigration”). Problems to regulate the number of immigrants in the U.S. initiate legislative reform on the immigration system of the country. 1.3 PREVIOUS IMMIGRATION REFORM BILLS It is recognized that there were previous efforts to reform the immigration system of the United States through immigration reform acts. In the past three decades, there were three notable bills that were passed in the House of Representatives and in the Senate. These are the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986, Border Protection, Anti-terrorism, and Illegal Immigration Control Act of 2005, and Comprehensive Immigration Reform Act of 2006 (Segal, Elliott and Mayadas 32). For the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986, its major provisions are legalization for undocumented aliens who entered the country since 1982 and certain agricultural workers, sanctions for employers who hire illegal immigrants and increased enforcement at U.S. borders (“Immigration Reform”). The Border Protection, Anti-terrorism, and Illegal Immigration Control Act of 2005 aims to implement increased security at the U.S. border to prevent illegal immigrants from entering the country (“Bill Summary & Status 109th Congress”). Lastly, the Comprehensive Immigration Reform Act of 2006 provides similar provisions such as tightened border security, interior enforcement and unlawful employment of undocumented aliens (“Bill Summary & Status 109th Congress”). However, only one of these bills was actually passed into law for one reason or another. Nonetheless, it is essential to take a review of these reform bills to be more equipped in creating a new immigration reform bill and eventually passing into a law. It gives the citizens and the government an insight of the previous situations and possible solutions to enable to understand the current situation regarding the immigrants in the U.S. The ideas in the previous reform bills can also be incorporated to produce a better law reform in the immigration system. In addition, the attempts to pass law reforms regarding the immigration system of the United States indicate that there is a problem in the current immigration system of the country. It also strengthens the idea that there is a need to reform the current system regarding immigrants in the country. Thus, it is important to determine the most pressing issues that concern immigrants in the country. Section 2. THREE MOST PRESSING ISSUES REGARDING IMMIGRANTS There are various issues that concern immigrants in the United States such as border enforcement, employer sanctions, legalization, anti-immigrant sentiment, immigration law reform, detention and deportation, public benefits, education. These are the issues from which the country can choose as the most urgent areas that need to be dealt with. Even though the government has to deal with all of these issues, setting a priority is very helpful. On this memorandum, only the three most pressing issues are chosen and discussed. These issues deal with Legalization for Illegal Immigrants, Border Enforcement, and Immigration Law Reform. Section 3 discusses the current situations regarding immigrants on these three areas. This discussion on the current situations provides an in-depth analysis in such a way that it determines the cause, analyses the present condition and the problems accompanying. Lastly, succeeding subsections propose a solution on each issue that could benefit both the government and different interest groups in the country. Section 3. CURRENT SITUATIONS, SOLUTIONS, AND IMPLICATIONS 3.1 BORDER ENFORCEMENT 3.1.1 CURRENT SITUATION One of the most pressing issues’ regarding immigrants in the U.S. is border enforcement. The fact that there are millions of undocumented aliens or illegal immigrants in the country explicitly indicates that the border enforcement of the country is weak. In other words, the country’s border is not secured from people trying to enter and bring harm to Americans like terrorists. Terrorism is probably the most alarming and the biggest threat to the lives of Americans regarding immigration in the country. It is therefore of utmost importance to the government of the United States. Today, the U.S. spends a large sum of money on planning, developing, and reinforcing its security measures at its borders. There are 670 miles of border fences; walls, bollards and spikes erected since 2007 and 21,000 border patrol agents secure that border (“Facts about Border Enforcement”). The strategy in the implementation of the border enforcement contains many loopholes. Despite the increase in the number of border patrol agents, there are still a number of illegal immigrants who are able to cross the border. It can be attributed to the patrol agents’ lack of dedication to their work. Another problem that arises regarding border enforcement at the U.S. border is how the illegal immigrants are treated by the military officers or the border patrol agents. There are various human rights advocates who campaign for border enforcement reform. In spite of the current improvements in the border enforcement, efforts still fail to protect the U.S. borders from many illegal aliens entering the country. Today, there are about 10 to 20 million undocumented immigrants in the country (Kerwin 1). 3.1.2 PROPOSED SOLUTION Two layers of security checkpoints which compose of barricades and border patrol agents should be implemented. The current border fences, walls, and spikes will be the first of the two layers and a second layer of border walls will be built. The layers will be guarded by different groups of patrol agents that will interchangeably secure each of the two layers. Each layer will also be guarded by surveillance cameras that are monitored all throughout the day in the control panels. On the implementation side, the border patrol agents will be given monetary compensation of reasonable amounts. Incentives will also be given to patrol agents who will show exemplary dedication on their work. The patrol agents who will be rewarded will be chosen by several supervising officers in the field. This reward will serve as motivation for patrol agents to take their job seriously and to strictly secure the U.S. border. The supervising officers will also be the one to oversee the treatment of the patrol agents or military officers that arrest the people who cross the border. As a result, the human rights of the people who illegally cross the U.S. border will still be protected. 3.1.3 IMPLICATION The implementation of the proposed solution affects different interest groups. One of these groups is the human rights advocates who contest the handling of the military officers on people who illegally cross the border. These activists will be satisfied in the way that the border will be more secured from illegal aliens and at the same time the human rights of the violators will be protected. It would eventually result in lesser number of illegal immigrants in the United States. This will serve as the first step in solving the problem with undocumented immigrants that reside in the United States. 3.2 IMMIGRATION LAW REFORM 3.2.1 CURRENT SITUATION It was believed that the efforts to severely limit the number of immigrants that enter the United States in its pursuit to protect its economy actually worsen the national security of the country (“Real Problem with Immigration”). It forced many immigrants to enter the country illegally either through the U.S.-Mexico border or through fake documents. The immigration requirements are too high in such a way that many aspiring U.S. immigrants do not qualify. On the other hand, many qualified immigrants do not have the resources of time and money to cover the cost of processing the application. It takes many years for a certain migration application to be processed. Also, it requires a large sum of show money to be permitted to finally migrate to the United States. 3.2.2 PROPOSED SOLUTION The requirements for immigration application should be flexible in a way that it accommodates applicants that qualify for the most parts of the requirements but lack on other areas. For instance, an applicant who qualifies in all of the requirements but lacks money to cover the cost of the application should be provided a financial assistance. Under the program, the immigrant can return the money within a certain period of time. The processing time should also be shortened to save resources both on the part of the government and the applicant. 3.2.3 IMPLICATION Like the strengthened border enforcement, immigration law reform indirectly reduces the number of illegal immigrants that enter the United States of America. More people who tend to apply for immigration to the U.S. will be encouraged to migrate legally. This implication benefits groups from other ethnicity who seek better quality of life in the United States. 3.3 ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS 3.3.1 CURRENT SITUATION Both issues on the border enforcement and the immigration law give rise to the number of illegal immigrants in the United States. As of 2010, there are 11.1 million unauthorized residents in the United States (Kerwin 1). One misconception about the problems associated with this situation is that this negatively impacts the economy of America. In reality, the additional labour force that is contributed by these undocumented immigrants actually gives a boost on its economy. According to the 2005 Economic Report of the President, most immigrant families have a positive net financial impact on the U.S., with $88,000 more in tax revenues than they consume in services (“Real Problem with Immigration”). Furthermore, the undocumented immigrant workers’ Social Security payroll taxes led to a $463 billion funding surplus (“Real Problem with Immigration”). The primary reason that these undocumented aliens enter the country illegally is that they seek better job opportunities. This means that these people are to work in the country’s industries competitively in their pursuit for a better quality of life. They are the ones who are willing to engage themselves into a situation where they can be self-trained either to reach their full potential or attain even more knowledge and skills in their profession. They did not qualify as legal immigrants for the sole reason that they were not able to satisfy the requirements set by the government. In other cases, they simply do not have the financial capability to cover the financial requirements for legal immigration. Their credentials might not meet the requirements of the immigration law but their capacity whether as professionals or as labour workers might be considered worthy to be employed in the United States. According to the Economic Report of the President in 2005, “One indicator of this success is that foreign-born workers in the United States have a higher labour force participation rate and lower unemployment rate . . . .” (“Economic Report of the President” 93). Also, when the employment grew by 11 million from year 1996 to 2003, 58% of this net increase was among the foreign-born workers or immigrants (“Economic Report of the President” 94). The main problem with illegal immigrants is not its effect on the economy rather its threat on the national security of the country. Given the fact that there are millions of people inside the country who are undocumented, the same number of people also presents threat to the country because their purpose in the U.S. were not known and thus not permitted. Moreover, when there are millions of illegal immigrants inside the country, it is highly probable that some of them are on a mission to bring terrorism in the country. This makes it easier for terrorists to perform terrorism plots when they are inside the country. They are able to perform surveillance much easier and able to execute the actual terrorism more viably. It makes the country vulnerable to terrorist attacks and puts its citizens at risk. It is easier to prevent terrorist attacks from outside the country than attacks from the inside. Another risk when these illegal immigrants are undocumented is that their identities are not known so it will be easier for terrorists to evade justice when their identities are hidden. They will not be easily held accountable for any terrorism act since in the first place, they are not recorded to be in the country. This phenomenon also applies to drug traffickers and other criminals who might have entered the country as illegal immigrants. Lastly, the existence of many illegal immigrants in the country does not only present threat to its national security but also to its legal aspects. It distorts the law by promoting the culture of illegality in the country. Also, illegal immigrants distract the resources of the country without the control and regulation of the government. 3.3.2 PROPOSED SOLUTION Since these illegal immigrants are already inside the country, the previous solutions on sections 3.1.2 and 3.2.2 cannot be applied as solutions to illegal immigrants. Instead, a form of legalization program should be provided for these undocumented immigrants. Considering the economic input of the majority of these illegal immigrants, they should be given a form of legalization in their residency as they have shown what they can give to the United States. By this, the current illegal immigrants will be documented to solve the legal and national security problems associated with undocumented aliens. Initial requirements to be eligible for the legalization program will include a minimum of four years of residency, no criminal record and at most 34 years of age. Illegal immigrants who have stayed in the country for more than four years will have better chances in receiving U.S. citizenships. Those who will not qualify in the legalization program will also be given an option to stay in the country as guest workers under a guest worker program. Illegal immigrants who will not apply either for the legalization program or for the guest worker program within 2 years after the enactment of the law will automatically be punished. The minimum punishment will be deportation from the United States. The enforcement of the legalization program should be uniform in all States so that the goal of the program can be achieved more straightforwardly. If States apply different policies and programs concerning illegal immigrants, the tendency is for these illegal immigrants to move to a state with more lenient policies (“Path to Legalization”). 3.3.3 IMPLICATION The economy of the United States is the first beneficiary of legalization program for illegal immigrants. As discussed in the previous subsections, the immigrants, whether legal or illegal, largely contribute to the economic growth of the country. In addition, many undocumented workers are found in agriculture, construction, and hospital industries where the U.S. lacks workforce (“Path to Legalization”). It is mainly because most native-born Americans would not consider taking these jobs as they have higher educational attainment and therefore they are after jobs that require higher qualifications. Providing a chance for undocumented immigrants to be legal residents of the U.S. can also generate a large sum of money through taxes. Consequently, the native-born Americans can largely benefit from legalization program to be provided for illegal immigrants in the country through an improved economy. Another group that could benefit from the legalization program is the labour market. For one, it eliminates the hazard that they might get punished from possibly hiring an illegal immigrant. Second, it legally provides them the workforce they need through the immigrants. It would also benefit foreign-born Americans from both inside and outside the countries. Section 4. CONCLUSION To begin with, it is recognized that there are hundreds of millions of immigrants in the United States of America and that it comprises 12.5% of its population. It is therefore considered a significant number in such a way that it largely affects important aspects of U.S. as a country. These aspects include the economy, policy-making, population growth, national security of the country. Other aspects that may be affected by immigrants, especially illegal immigrants, are distortion of the law and distraction of resources. Consequently, immigration policy should be a top priority for the government of the United States. Furthermore, it was established that the immigration system in the United States is no longer effective and a reform is needed. For instance, the 11.1 million of illegal immigrants prove that the border enforcement of the country is too weak to prevent people from illegally entering the country. It also implies that the immigration law is too strict that immigrants were forced to illegally enter or stay in the country. It was clear that the government needs to make intelligent and appropriate actions to solve the immigration problems of the United States. It was also established that the three most pressing issues regarding immigrants in the country are the border enforcement, immigration law reform, and legalization for illegal immigrants. These are the key areas where the government must start with towards immigration reforms in order to efficiently improve the immigration system of the country. As a summary, an intensified security measures should be first implemented in border administration of the United States’ government. This is to ensure that the undocumented aliens will be prevented from entering the country illegally by a much improved security at the U.S. border. As a result, the number of illegal immigrants in the country will stop to increase significantly. Tightened security will be enforced at the U.S. border in the form of border fences, walls, and spikes. Second, the tightened security at the U.S. borders should be followed by an immigration law reform. An immigration law reform that adjusts the requirements needed to be qualified as legal immigrants. Adjustments in such a way that it gives chances to deserving foreigners to show and prove their worth as immigrants. Likewise, the immigration law should be flexible enough to provide assistance programs for qualified applicants that lack money and other resources. Third and last, qualified illegal aliens should be provided with legalization or naturalization programs. This is one way to document the illegal immigrants in the country which in effect reduces the threat of terrorism. It is crucial in the preservation of the national security of the United States of America. Finally, it is also to give importance to the significant contribution of the immigrants in the United States to the country’s economic progress in the past years. Works Cited Batalova, Jeanne, and Terrazas, Aaron. “Migration Policy Institute.” Migration Policy Institute. December 2010. Web. 22 Nov. 2012. “Bill Summary & Status 109th Congress (2005 - 2006) S.2611.” The Library of Congress. n.d. Web. 22 November 2012. “Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986 (IRCA).” U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. n.d. Web. 22 November 2012. Kane, Tim, and Johnson, Kirk A. “The Real Problem with Immigration… and the Real Solution.” The Heritage Foundation: Leadership for America. 1 March 2006.Web. 22 November 2012. Kerwin, Donald M. “MORE THAN IRCA: US Legalization Programs and the Current Policy Debate.” Migration Policy Institute. 2010 December. Web. 22, November 2012. 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