The Issue of Immigration: Illegal Aliens - Term Paper Example

Illegal Aliens: The issue of immigration has taken renewed significance in American political dis over the last ten years. This was largely prompted by the flood of illegal immigrants crossing over from Mexico and other central American countries. Considering that Hispanic Americans already comprise 13 percent of the population and have the highest birth rates among all ethnic communities, one can see the complications that would arise in the future if this problem is not suitably addressed (Starr, 2007, p.3). The problem of illegal aliens is compounded by the legal immigrants from Asian and European countries, who initially come to the United States on work permits and later take up authentic citizenship. As opposed to the poorly skilled illegal alien population, the legal immigrant group is very highly skilled making them indisposable for the stable functioning of the economy. At this juncture, the policy makers are asked to consider social and humanitarian aspects of immigration alongside the economic one. This is the thrust for immigration reforms and the debate surrounding it. This essay will outline some reasonable and practical proposals to address the issue of illegal aliens. Suitable sources of information from news media, scholarly journals and books are perused for the essay. Immigration reform is the common term used in political discussions regarding changes to immigration policy. In a certain sense, reform discussions can be general enough to include promoted, expanded, or open immigration as well as the aspect of reducing or eliminating immigration altogether. In that sense, reform typically refers to a wide spectrum of viewpoints which may include anti-immigration and immigration reduction. However, the term is also widely used to describe proposals to increase legal immigration while decreasing illegal immigration. Usually, the liberal sections of the American polity take a compassionate and sympathetic view of the illegal aliens. The conservatives, on the other hand, give importance to issues of national security, drug smuggling and economic costs associated with it (Leiken, 2002, p.87). Both sides have valid arguments to make in support of their positions. For example, the conservatives are right in that illegal immigration affects our economy, our homeland security and the core infrastructures of our country. Our homeland security is threatened by illegal immigration in the following ways; gun smuggling, illegal crossings, convicted Mexican fugitives fleeing to the U.S. and cross border drug smuggling operations. But these criminal elements comprise only the minority (Leiken, 2002, p.87). A overwhelming number of illegal aliens are honest, hardworking people, who sneak into the United States in search of a decent standard of living. Considering this fact, we need a humanitarian approach to solving the problem. For example, “Many of the estimated 12 million undocumented workers currently in the U.S. have resided here for many years, pay taxes, have children who are U.S. citizens, and are well integrated, contributing and (immigration status notwithstanding) otherwise law- abiding members of their communities. Supporters of more open immigration policies note that under the current system, which makes no provision for legalizing the status of undocumented workers, or under House proposals to criminalize the status of undocumented workers, the law creates an unacceptable underclass of undocumented workers in the U.S.” (Som, 2006, p.287) The solution to the problem of illegal aliens is not as elusive as it seems. There were times during the Clinton and Bush presidencies when feasible solutions was not implemented for lack of political will and divisive politics rather than practical difficulties. A case in point is the proposal made in 2004 by Democrats in the House of Representatives, when they proposed “granting legal residency and the eventual option of U.S. citizenship to millions of illegal immigrants now working in the United States” (The Washington Times, Jan. 2004, p.A01) . This came on the back of President Bushs temporary-worker program that did not get sufficient support. The proposal plans to allow illegal immigrants “who have worked in the United States for a yet-to-be-determined minimum period of time to stay here and be granted permanent legal residency, creating a pathway to eventual citizenship” (The Washington Times, Jan. 2004, p.A01). According to Nancy Pelosi, the House Minority Leader, “the plan purports to provide a meaningful way for illegal aliens to become U.S. residents or citizens; reduce the backlog of U.S. citizens petitions on behalf of relatives who are here illegally; and help tens of thousands of teenage illegals attend college here and eventually be granted legal status” (The Washington Times, Jan. 2004, p.A01). The Democrats proposal is better thought out, for it tries to fix a basic flaw with the “temporary-worker” program promoted by the Republicans. They correctly reason that implementing the deportation of millions of temporary workers once their work permit expires is logistically and politically impossible. The Democrats plan includes special provisions for re-unifying families of illegal aliens. But unfortunately the plan never got the approval of the House and the Senate, stalling progress in the area of immigration reform. There is vocal opposition to legislation that would grant legal status for the 12 million illegal aliens that live in the United States. At the same time, there is a large contingency of liberals and progressives who espouse a more sympathetic stance toward illegal aliens. They argue that these people are forced to resort to illegal methods due to economic compulsions. They also point to the fact that most of these illegal aliens are subject to exploitation by employers here in the United States. The employers who hire them pay well below minimum wage regulations, knowing well that nobody would raise a protest for fear of being deported. It is a reality today that the American economy has become dependent on this pool of cheap labor, in the absence of which an imbalance between supply and demand of workers would be created. Today, the illegal alien community is serving the American economy without enjoying the rights, privileges and protections that citizens enjoy. This unfair situation is the primary cause for the law and order problem created by them. Hence, making the conditions of their survival more harsh is only going to escalate the problems. (Starr, 2007, p.3) It should be recognized at this point, that there is a limit to the number of immigrants the country can accomodate. Throwing open the doors of entry as in the nineteenth century is unsustainable and imprudent in the prevailing geo-political climate. So prevention of illegal alien inflows should be an integral part of the immigration reform agenda. Preventing desperate people from entering the country is not as inhumane as deporting the ones who are already here. In the light of this assessment, the passing of immigration bill HR 4437 in 2005 is a positive move. The bill focusses on “strict enforcement measures against illegal immigrants, such as construction of a 700-mile-long fence along the U.S. southern border and severe penalties for employers who hire undocumented workers” (Som, 2006, p.286). Hence, assimilating the existing pool of illegal alien population while at the same time preventing further entries is the right approach. Employers who hire illegal aliens should also stop this practice and the best way to achieve this would be to hold them legally accountable. In fact, if not for their patronage, there wont be any illegal aliens living in the country. As Justin Spaid strongly puts it across in his Iowa State Daily article , “The first thing that we must do is start prosecuting people found employing illegal immigrants. Now, maybe we can give the employers a one-strike rule, but even that should come with a fine to let them know we are serious. After that there is no excuse -- and that means jail time for the employers. The government would not have to worry about watch-dogging large corporations who have a tendency of hiring those people here illegally because once the boss’s neck is on the line, you would be surprised how much more thorough background checks will be.” (Spaid, 2009) In the final analysis, it is clear that immigration reform should include both curbs and concessions. The challenge lies in finding the right balance between the two. The idea of temporary worker program, initially proposed by President Bush and endorsed by House Republicans, can also be incorporated into the reform plan. Such a move would have the added advantage of winning over conservatives in the House and Senate, whose support is necessary for the passing of reform legislations in the future. The government, while making efforts to tighten the borders, should also create legal channels of entry for seasonal workers, especially agricultural laborers from Mexico. The initial steps taken by the government is showing promising results. For example, the HR 4437 immigration act have “discouraged illegal immigrants in seasonal jobs from returning to Mexico, for fear they would never be able to come back” (Starr, 2007, p.3). This should encourage politicians, action groups and reform activists and make them believe that desirable results can be achieved if concerted, foresightful and humane plans are designed and implemented. Works Cited: Archibold, Randal C. "Second thoughts on pulling the guard from the border.(National Desk)." The New York Times 157.54339 (June 12, 2008): A21(L). "Democrats Offer Plan on Aliens; Proposal Gives Illegal Workers Permanent Residency." The Washington Times 29 Jan. 2004: A01. Leiken, Robert S. "End of an Affair? Immigration, Security and the U.S.-Mexican Relationship." The National Interest Winter 2002: 87+. Punishing Employers for Hiring Illegal Immigrants Best Solution, retrieved from on 20th November, 2009 Som, Sonya Olds, and Eileen Momblanco. "The Immigration Reform Debate." Social Education 70.5 (2006): 286+. Starr, Paul. "Why Immigration Reform?." The American Prospect July-Aug. 2007: 3. Read More