Should Illegal Emigrants Go Back to Their Countries - Essay Example

YM Leyson For: Unidentified Illegal Immigrants 02 April, 2006 The annealing power of cultural diversity has created America as a consistent and economically stable nation. The constant lure and appeal of living in highly urbanized and free nation has allowed mass immigration and promised unlimited opportunity that other countries failed to provide. America has then successfully marketed its model for growth to the entire world. As a nation of multinationals, nearly every American citizen can trace his lineage back to immigrant ancestors. Creating a national identity means sharing the same language; governed by a single government and a little common culture with the same aim and dream for peace and prosperity. For over 175 years when immigration to the United States exponentially rose, the issue and controversy of multinational entry has never ceased popularity. Voluntary arrivals of different nationalities sparked generous concerns of political sovereignty over a nation mightier than the oldest empire on earth. When Theodore Roosevelt and Israel Zangwill jointly adhered to the "Melting Pot" drama back in the 1900's calling for the assimilation and abandoning of ethnic identities among new settlers, support for the influx of immigrants created allegiance to the United States. Mary Antin, a Jewish immigrant from Poland wrote "The Promise Land" as an illustration of her adoption of America as her home and America's adoption of her as an American. A few years later when the economic depression plagued the country a renewed sense of foreboding considered the new settlers as threats to jobs and other minorities who lived in the slums and failed to adapt the language and culture. While the European immigrants faced discrimination, they were able to come to the United States in huge numbers until the 1920's. The Asian immigrants who were excluded much earlier took the quotas of less desirable immigrants. Ethnic pluralism suggested a common denominator just before the incidence of both world wars and climbed higher after the Japanese bombing of Pearl Harbor in Hawaii. The settlement of racial disputes and embracing the principles set forth in the Constitution of the United States later idealized kinship by blood or culture in a foreign land as part of the new and distinct civilization of the United States. The terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001 raised alarm bells among the American populace with profound question of susceptibility to such attacks that claimed the lives of thousands. Threats to national security and the lax border regulations renewed the question of what to do with the numerous legal immigrants and how to drive away the illegal immigrants back to where they came from. To date, the 20th century catered to the highest influx of immigrants which accounted for the massive population expansion. Census studies recorded the 1999 population to over 270 million, making it the world's third largest country in terms of population. Every year, the population grows to half a million with higher life expectancies and low infant mortality rates. In terms of population distribution in cities, New York became the record breaker followed by Los Angeles and Chicago. Population growth in Las Vegas topped among states spurred by unprecedented hotel-casino construction. The rising numbers showed lately reflected a still growing population which is 1/4th of what it used to be over a century ago with immigration at one-third playing the lead role. Latest records showed 28,234,231 illegal aliens in the US with Los Angeles as the main hub. Today, there are two powerful forces at work in the country acting on the issue of immigration. Separatists' movement advocating breaking loose cultural groups and driving them away at any cost and Reformists adhering to peaceful legislature of laws for national reform consists of these powers. Both movements set against the backdrop of democratic politics hold justifiable reasons with a common goal of easing the country from the confines of a booming population and the effects that comes along with it. At any rate, a vast majority is tormented with the ultimate question on how to deal with this sensitive issue. Varied responses and arguments will lead us all to form our own opinion on the best approach to address this top-priority issue. Tancredo according to The Hill called for three amendments to be added to the platform on immigration against illegal aliens namely: "no driver's license; no amnesty and agreement with Mexico on access to Social Security". He has labeled "the massive immigration combined with cult multiculturalism as perhaps the most dangerous thing he could think of". As the most outspoken chairman of Congress's immigration reform he "favors the military patrolling the national borders, arrest and deportation of illegal aliens in the country and curbing legal immigration as well". Just as quickly as Tancredo proposed the three amendments, the platform committee voted down all three. President Bush according to the Denver Post proposed amnesty similar to the 1986 amnesty that granted a fraudulent "free-for-all" grant to 3 million legalized people including Mahmud Abouhalima, who was convicted in the 1993 World Trade Center bombing. A "guest-worker program" that the government proposed chose to admit workers with willing employers for jobs that American won't do. Denver Post reasoned that "the importation of workers and exportation of jobs, some 14.5 million people are underemployed and unemployed". They further expounded "that the current population even without an increase in immigration levels will still caused a doubling of people within the lifelines of the kids born today". The Center for Immigration Studies also believed "on the adoption to put pressure on illegal immigrants so that more of them leave and fewer new ones would come". They cited that "the proximate reason for Bush's allowing aliens in the country is politically motivated on the premise that Hispanics which accounts for the highest number of aliens' vote would cloud the better judgment of the sensible people". As controversies widened the chasm between the separatists and reformists, passage of Sensenbrenner's Immigration Enforcement Bill dubbed as H.R. 4437 passed the House of Representatives by a 239-182 vote on Dec. 16, 2005 with the aim to improve the nation's ability to control rampant illegal immigration. The main focus was the 700-mile security fencing at the southern border of the country similar to the highly effective barrier in the San Diego area. The bill also "calls for the implementation of an electronic verification system for employers to ensure hiring only of legal residents". Stiff fines await the violating employer while aliens themselves face stiffer penalties for going against US immigration laws. Illegal entry will be treated as a felonious act and punishable by law. Border advocacy groups were a bit relieved on the passage of H.R. 4437 which included amnesty to guest worker provisions. While the focus is now shifted to the Senate which must also pass immigration enforcement bill before final signature from the President, mass demonstrations were held weekly last March. A Mexican FM "warned against securing the US southern border without their blessing emphasizing that violence and criminal activity along the border will remain unabated". While such warnings were aimed as a backlash for singularly picking out on Mexicans as illegal aliens, it would take into account that most immigrants comprised a majority of Hispanics who are having difficulty in the assimilation of the national language. Putnam, an American reporter in answer voiced his support for the passage of the HR 4437 citing Art.33 of the Mexican constitution which say (in part) "that it has the exclusive right to expel from the national territory immediately without necessity for judicial proceedings all foreigners whose stay it judges inconvenient". Reformists call illegal aliens as "shadow people". Josten expressed in his statement that "a true immigration reform is needed but HR 4437 will only drive undocumented people further into the shadows". Reid also said that "people hiding behind the shadows are unable to contribute to the society and are even afraid to ask for government aidciting some immigrants who were devastated by Hurricane Katrina". The Catholic Church also voiced support and justice for immigrants "defending them for working on jobs that would otherwise go unfilled". Icaza of Mexico expressed concern on the rights of immigrants as human beings and their contribution to the US economy. He stands pat for "the regulation and control of immigration and added that a process that addresses the economic security, political and social needs of both countries should be encouraged and welcomed a national debate on immigration reform". Immigration has brought about well-known successful immigrants like Albert Einstein, Bob Hope, and a smattering of serious workers into the United States. Ragle however dismisses this "as a cultural fabric aimed at exploiting the native-born population". He added that as a result of an Open Border policy we should look into the likes of notorious Italian mobsters Lucky Luciano and Frank Costello; Palestinian assassin Sirhan Sirhan; Mexican mass murderers Juan Corona, Ram Salcido and Angel Resendez; and many other unsavory characters who were members of ethnic communities. A 1993 Hispanic USA Research Group survey showed that 89% of Hispanic Americans strongly support an immediate moratorium on immigration and 74% feel fewer immigrants should be allowed and stronger restrictions should be enforced. To recall: Immigration has always been restricted by organized associations that discouraged foreigners from coming. As a whole the immigrants idealism and optimism backfired with the reality that they were not wanted at all. Daynes related that "their newfound liberty came at a cost where many were unable to pay". Certain jobs in the US are shunned by the American people. Cultural minorities are called to fill in this gap contrary to Tancredo's claims that underemployment exist due to the presence of minorities willing to accept jobs for less. According to a Nursing Program for Minorities, the recruitment of minorities benefits hospital administration since they tend to have less access to healthcare and disproportionate rate of illness compared to traditionally white areas. Despite appeals and aids for American students to take up nursing studies to fill in the need and vacancies created, Americans cannot address the diverse attitudes of patients thereby resulting to job burn-outs. Political motivation relaxed control against immigration thereby resulting in the mass influx of multinationals. Politics and conservative attitudes bordering on feudalistic endeavors created discrimination against cultural minorities too. The American nation has always been guided by political endeavors from every regime. The question of what platform a government would take for or against its people more likely explains the actions that we observe. To understand what the current situation is in relation to immigration, we must dwell on the environmental impact and let science justify absolute actions. Ward disclosed that "every forest, every valley, every bit of land surface capable of sustaining plant life, as well as the plankton in the sea will have to be turned into crops if our species is to avert unprecedented global famine". Although the US by contrast is still the biggest bread baskets of the world, farmlands are lost to build homes for the population thereby slowly shrinking food production annually. Major biodiversity will be lost where 95% of the country's endangered species are in just three states. Carbon dioxide emission consumes 80% of the world's natural resources and generates 80% of the pollution and waste. "A child born today in the United States for instance, will be by the age f 75 years produce 52 tons of garbage, consume 10 gallons of water and use 5 times the energy of a child born in a developing world". Dr. Pimentel in a study revealed that "people seeking food aid are the homeless people who have jobs". Half of the homeless people are Black Americans. Despite the presence of jobs, people are earning less and less while food consumption is the same. Drought or no drought, we need to conserve on water and improving the natural habitat since the ecological health of rivers according to Anthony Ricciardi poses a major problem with organic and chemical pollution penetrating. The current environmental issue is a cause for concern as it has depleted drastically and can no longer sustain the rising population. A Dept. of Agriculture study revealed that America's effort at conservation is falling short. We are loosing every bit of land and natural resource and no additional improvement is seen. If we need to address the issues and create a profound improvement on the environment to promote its sustainability, population issues should also be addressed. We can all focus on "smart growth and good population density but if we have a high population growth, according to Beck, we will still be eaten by the urban sprawl. Making immigration more difficult and slowing the economic growth will certainly make the US a less attractive place for job-seekers. Pope, called the anti-immigration efforts as short-sighted. "To attain the desired effect on the environment, said effort to control growth should be global" according to him. Nevada has been cited for its polluted air, serious traffic jams and crime problems. "With the overwhelming majority of jobs taken in by Vegas migrants, the mayor hopes to raise its educational standards to attract businesses that need highly educated workers". The once rural areas are slowly being filled-up. Enormous pressures placed on communities with higher taxes to pay for basic community services are slowly left out in favor of rural areas which require lesser tax dues. However, "Arizona and New Mexico are openly debating land use and values: open spaces versus development; habitat versus jobs; ranch land versus recreation", Christian Science Monitor said. The delicate issue of illegal immigration does require a multi-faceted approach. Millions of foreigners live legally in the US. Million of others are illegal. And at the mercy of their employers who provided a visa for them. To some extent both immigrants form a certain underclass and thereby questions the principles of equality that it teaches. Immigration restriction is manifestly unjust if we are to focus singularly on our own backyard. Yet we must minimize the environmental upheaval that opening our own borders would result to. Wages would be pulled down and a social upheaval occurs with friendly partnerships burdened and disrupted. As a substitute for national safety, immigrant populations should be regulated at a level acceptable to everyone. Working immigrants should pay taxes commensurate to their jobs religiously. Other measures to improve the environment should be addressed as a joint effort among nations. Seemingly, if we try to clean up only our own backyard while the world looks on and do nothing and when disaster occurs, mass immigration would shoot at alarming levels. Education should aim at solutions to the problem rather than approaching it with a harsh front. Let us understand that immigrants bring with them traditions that is deeply rooted in their faith and family values, something that Americans need a good dose of. We will not object to the government ensuring our borders but a database of known illegal immigrants must be maintained while immigrants with prior records of crimes against humanity face instant deportation regardless of class and wealth. Intense training and pressure must be brought to third world countries to further create measures to improve its economy to prevent their own citizens from leaving their countries thereby creating a void and a brain drain. Works Cited Antin, Mary. 2000. The Promise Land: Fulfilling the Founding , A Reader for American Heritage. Boston: Pearson Custom: 117-121. Roosevelt,Theodore. 1961. The New Nationalism. New Jersey: Prentice Hall. Croly, Herbert. 1965. The Promise of American Life. Cabridge: Harvard University. Myrdal, Gunmar. 1969. The Negro Problem and Modern Democracy. New York:Harper and Row. Lewis, David L., W.E.B.Du Bois. 1993. Biography of a Race.New York:Henry Holt. Walker, Clarence E.1991. 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One Reporter's Opinion: Congress Must pas HR.4377.http://www.anla.org/applications/Documents/Docs/Roll_Call_Vote_661_December_16.pdf April 03,2006. Day,Cooper.(2005).The Ten-Thousand Person Question.[online].http://www.saveourstate.or/lectern.html April 03, 2006. Ragle, Brandn.(2005). The Open Borders Hall of Shame. Your Civilization.[online]. http://www.yourcivilization.com April 03, 2006. Finn. Lancelot.(2005). How Open Borders Can Benefit All Americans. Lancelotfinn.com[online]. http://www.lancelotfinn.com/open_borders.htm. 3,April 2006. Josten, Bruce; Koop, Lisa; Reid, Harry.(2005). Immigrant Shadows. Immigrant Reform.[online]. http://immref.com/spin/immigrants-shadows/ 04, April 2006. Sensenbrenner, James. (2005). Sensenbrenner's Immigration Enforcement Bill Passes the House.Federation for American Immigration.[online]. http://www.fairus.org/site/PageServerpagenamen+search.feb_06n101 04, Apr. 2006. Pimentel, Daniel.(2000) Population Dynamics in the US. Overpopulation.org.[online]. http://www.overpopulation.org/USpopulation.html#uspop 04,April 2006. Read More