Harms of Illegal Immigration - Essay Example

Harms of Illegal Immigration Tiffany Tham COM 220 Axia College, of Phoenix July 22, 2009 Illegal Immigration is a social, economic, and security problem for the US. Numerous polls indicate that a majority of Americans, including Mexican-Americans, want the government to prevent the tidal wave of illegal aliens cascading over the border. A nation without borders is not a nation and this country has been losing control of the borders for many decades, losing prosperity, security and autonomy along with them. One of the most important issues of the White House and Congress should be securing the borders, but homeland security is all but nonexistent. This is a complex problem that is not being solved by the congressmen, who continuously fail to act in the country's best interests. The massive numbers of illegal aliens pouring across mainly the southern border has and continues to cause substantial economic, social and physical harms to legal citizens. These harms occur predominantly to those who are among the most vulnerable segments of the population: minorities, children, and the poor. The primary reason that the politicians are not interested in grappling with the problem of illegal immigration is because it stands to be a potent political issue that can be conveniently exploited by them (Oakland Tribune, 2007). Illegal immigration facilitates the politicians of all hues and affiliations with the opportunity to appeal to their vote banks. Democrats vociferously support illegal immigrants to cash on the fast altering demographics of the nation (Oakland, 2007). Republicans on the contrary use this issue to exploit and entice the citizens who are particularly concerned with the wastage of their tax dollars on non-productive aliens (Oakland Tribune, 2007). The problem is further bolstered by the vested interests who intend to thrive on the cheap labor of illegal immigrants, be it the hotel industry, construction business or agriculture (Oakland Tribune, 2007). Existence of a shadow work force in the guise of illegal immigrants gives these industries a chance to cheat the regular Americans of their deserved wages. These special interests command a considerable influence in the Federal and state echelons of power, which they liberally manipulate to safeguard their wealth amassed by hiring illegal immigrants. The problem is continually being exacerbated by a flexible border security, 12 million illegal immigrants striving for sustenance, and a system that is hell bent on taking advantage of those who are willing to provide cheap labor (Oakland Tribune, 2007) The fundamental reason for the flood of immigration from Latin America, specifically Mexico (see Chart 1) is the disintegration of the Mexican economy predominantly resulting from free-trade strategies employed by the North American Free Trade Agreement and the International Monetary Fund (IMF). Chart 1. National Origin of Illegal Immigrants: 2004 Note. From https://classof08honors.wikispaces.com/preston. The rampant corruption within the Mexican government has also contributed significantly to the collapse of the Mexican economy. Due to IMF policies regarding Mexico, its economic output dropped 33 % in the past two decades. During this period, its foreign debt rose 359 % because of widespread looting of the national coffers. These factors caused the "collapse of all areas of productive economic activity and employment, is the primary driver of the flood of emigrants desperate to leave Mexico, to find some livelihood for themselves and their families in the United States" (Small, 2005). Throughout the history of America, people of differing ideologies have generally agreed on immigration controls. Public opinion polls have continually shown an overwhelming opposition to illegal immigration as well as for the concept of amnesty. Amnesty for illegal aliens is merely a reward for law-breaking and by whatever name, causes ever escalating future illegal immigration. "No system depending on a strict regard for the rule of law can treat law-breaking so casually" (Erler, 2004). Those who favor amnesty for illegal aliens, specifically those crossing the southern border do not seem to realize that a crime has been committed and not, as they might have one believes, one without a victim. The massive numbers of illegal aliens pouring across mainly the southern border has and continues to cause substantial economic, social and physical harms to legal citizens. "Simply enforcing the laws presently on the books and deporting illegal aliens is an economic necessity that would also result in decreased crime rates" (Erler, 2004). Illegal immigrants contribute greatly to the overall population growth and health care, education and employment are the most impacted. Salaries are driven down by illegal immigrants willing to work for much less (see Chart 2) while their children, illegal, and legal, overcrowd the schools. Chart 2. Increase in the Supply of Workers Caused by Post-2000 Immigration Note. From http://www.cis.org/articles/2007/back1007.html. It is the U.S. taxpayer who is sent the bill for their health care services as well. In addition, the large influx of illegal aliens burdens the already inadequate number of units classified as affordable housing, and other welfare resources. (See Chart 3) Chart 3. Welfare Programs, EITC, and ACTC, by households Note. From Illegal Immigration, 2003. If Congress were to put the country's interests ahead of its own, it would pass an illegal immigration bill which grants no amnesty. Congress should also pass legislation amending the Immigration and Nationality Act eradicating the idea that children born of illegal aliens are automatically citizens. That privilege should be reserved for children of legal immigrants. Congress should also criminalize illegal entry into the United States which would force government administrators and health workers to report these people to the authorities. Laws should be enacted that bring criminal charges against all those who aid illegal aliens to gain entry into the country and against those employers who hire them. All social benefits, including medical care, education, and welfare for illegal immigrants should be eliminated with the only exception being medical treatment given when first contacted before deporting the criminal. The U.S. can hardly be seen as credible when helping to solve other countries' problems when it cannot solve its own immigration dilemma, a problem many other countries do not seem to struggle with. "If the U.S. can't secure its own borders, what confidence does this instill in the world's view when it tries to police other areas of the globe" (Espo, 2006) While some issues surrounding immigration control are varied and complex, adopting English as the official language seemed a simple, straightforward piece of the immigration legislation puzzle. Neither law mandated nor did a lawmaker propose the designation of English as the "official" language which would thereby prohibit the increasing use of Spanish by government entities. Americans were assured that a 1986 reform law would add tougher penalties for the employers of illegal immigrants and that this step would forever resolve the issue of illegal aliens. Around 16 million illegal immigrants have arrived since then. The promised employer penalties, which would have gone a long way to solve the problem, have been, at best, loosely enforced. (Ponte, 2006) Immigrants built the country but are now an unwanted commodity and face overt discrimination by both citizens and government. The federal government offers a type of amnesty to those already here, but it and other governmental entities enact laws that hamper the path to citizenship and restrict freedoms that are clearly outlined in the Constitution. The U.S. economy also wins because of the higher tax base created by the new citizens the immigrants. This "fight against terrorism" is an ambiguous term at best and some have argued could contribute to civic-backed acts of discrimination against illegal aliens. In the United States, overt discriminatory practices during all phases of the criminal justice system concerning ethnic minorities, especially those of African-American or Hispanic descent have been well-documented throughout the history of the country (Sampson and Lauritsen, 1997). In more recent years, various U.S. criminal agencies have increased their efforts to control a new type of minority group, namely illegal immigrants from Mexico, and Central America. The U.S. passed the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994 which contains provisions that specifically target these groups by deterring employment opportunities for illegal immigrants and has provided a great deal of funding to the Immigration and Naturalization Service so it could increase efforts to diminish illegal immigration by stiffening border control tactics (McDonald, 1997). The recent increased implementation of law enforcement measures which are exclusively aimed at minorities and immigrants has occurred not only in the U.S. but in European nations as well. A study that conducted research in both the U.S. and Europe showed that interactions between police agencies and interactions with immigrants are becoming increasingly tense as evidenced by a proliferation of physical and verbal abuse, a growing mutual distrust and an escalating threat of violence. In the U.S., "Discrimination against minorities occurs indirectly as a result of poor legal representation, language problems, high incidences of specific offenses (such as drug-related and immigration violations) and low level of employment status" (Marshall, 1997). As compared to constituents of the socially dominant faction, ethnic minorities are much more liable to be detained, questioned, and searched by law enforcement officials. Once they have been arrested, minority members are also more likely to suffer police brutality and are more likely to be held in jail while waiting for their trial date instead of having an opportunity to post bond. When tried for a crime, they face a higher probability to be found guilty, and are less apt to serve their sentences outside of prison such as serving community service. In addition, they are "more likely to be sentenced to longer prison terms, less likely to be granted parole, and when convicted of capital offenses, they are more likely to be executed, especially for capital offenses against dominants" (Sidaneus and Veniegas, 2000). With the growing sentiment opposing immigration by non-white individuals and families, the discriminatory practices are unlikely to subside any time soon. Those who support amnesty of illegal aliens currently in the U.S. argue that deportations would result in the splitting of families. Children born in this country could stay but their illegal parents would have to leave. They also express that it would be unfair for a child which has lived in the U.S. all their life to be suddenly thrust into the conditions of a third-world country. While that is a compelling and reasonable argument, the cost is too great. By allowing the continued and unabated free-flow of illegal immigrants, this country too before long will assume third world status. "Methods to stem this flow such as building a border fence, deporting all illegal aliens, cracking down on employers and implementing a federal identification system might appear severe to some but are necessary steps in safeguarding America for Americans" (Ponte, 2006). The U.S. could consider adopting similar immigration regulations as in the U.K. where a person cannot immigrate without first securing employment. The British employer must obtain permission from the government upon submitting evidence that the position cannot be filled by a resident. Non-residents cannot apply for state benefits of any type. Legislators should consider the net effect on society and encourage the immigration of high-skilled and well educated people who will contribute to the economic health of the nation rather than low or no-skilled workers who are a heavy economic burden. The federal government already manages the redistribution of a substantial proportion of its citizen's income. In 2004, for example, more than $500 billion was transferred to the low income segment of the population from taxes levied from the top 25 %. Legalized mass immigration will cause an imbalance in the proportion of uneducated people as an increasingly higher percentage of the population will earn lower wages and pay little, if any, federal taxes. "The overall costs such individuals will add to government programs throughout their lifetime (including welfare, social security, Medicare, education for children, transportation, and law enforcement) will greatly exceed taxes paid" (Rector, 2006). Immigration to this country should provide a benefit, not be a burden to society. The US is a nation that was founded on the sweat and blood of immigrants. Hence, it is imperative that the immigrants entering this nation should stand to be an asset and not a bothersome liability. It is high time that the concerned citizens raise their voice for this pressing issue and exert pressure on the politicians to check the problem at hand without coveting for short-term gains. References Erler, J. Edward (January 22, 2004). "Amnesty for Illegal Aliens." The Washington Times. Available July 21, 2009 from Espo, David. (May 26, 2006). "Senate Passes Landmark Immigration Bill." Excite News. Available July 21, 2009 from "Illegal Immigration is a Crime." (March 2003). Federation for American Immigration Reform. Available July 21, 2009 from Marshall, I. H. (1997). "Minorities, Migrants, and Crime: Diversity and Similarity across Europe and the United States" Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage. McDonald, W. F. (1997). "Crime and illegal immigration." National Institute of Justice Journal. Vol. 232. pp. 2-10. "Politicians aren't about to fix immigration". Oakland Tribune. ANG Newspapers. 2007. Retrieved August 09, 2009 from HighBeam Research Ponte, Lowell. (May 23, 2006). "No Amnesty for Illegal Immigrants." News Max. Available July 21, 2009 from Sampson, R.J. & Lauritsen, J.L. (1997). "Racial and ethnic disparities in crime and criminal justice in the United States." Ethnicity, Crime, and Immigration: Comparative and Cross-National Perspectives. M. Tonry (Ed.). Chicago, Chicago University Press. Small, Dennis. (July 2005). "What's Behind the 'Hispanic Immigration Crisis" EIR Economics. Available July 21, 2009 from http://larouchepub.com/eiw/public/2005/2005_20-29/2005-26/pdf/64-68_26_eco.pdf> Read More