Immigration Activity - Essay Example

 IMMIGRATION Introduction and My Stand It is a truism that America is a land of immigrants and they in fact built the country. However, the days have long since past when the US was an under populated country and vast numbers of immigrants were needed to settle, populate and develop it, even if many of them were unskilled. While some immigration is still needed, it should be more limited in numbers and targeted toward skilled workers and professionals not readily available in the US. It also needs to fit into an overall plan for economic and population growth rather than put a strain on the country’s resources. The US has a severe problem of illegal immigration. It is estimated that at least one million people now settle in the country each year, only about 300,000 of whom do so legally(FAIR). Immigration policy must include greater border security, especially on the Mexican border to stem the illegal inflow. In general, ( US Immigration Reform)I support the provisions of the proposed Border Security, Economic Opportunity and Immigration Modernization Act as outlined by Kate Woodsome as I do not feel it would be wise even if the US gad the resources, to find and deport the estimated 11 or 12 million aliens resident in the US.(Woodsome 2013) I also support the idea that they should be required to earn permanent resident status eventually and possibly citizenship. . Political Parties I would say that the Democratic Party most accurately reflects my views. In recent history the Republican Party has been widely regarded as anti immigration.(Woodsome 2013) Republican presidential candidate, Mitt Romney, while no longer advocating the roundup and deportation of the undocumented including their children, in his campaign hoped that they would “self deport” rather than be provided with a path toward eventual legal status. However, I expect that Republicans in general will support and help pass the proposed bill because they realize to regain power they must try to curry the favor of America’s increasing Hispanic and Oriental populations rather than be seen as the party of primarily “old white men”. Border Closure I am not in favor of closing the US borders entirely. However, I do favor increased border security especially along the Mexican border by enhancing resources for border patrols, fences possibly electrified and air surveillance to drastically reduce the inflow of undocumented people. But, I am skeptical that 100%security as stated by Woodsome can be achieved.( Woodsome 2013) For example, a tunnel could be dug allowing some aliens to enter before it is discovered. Also, I don’t understand how one could determine whether there is a 90% alien apprehension arrest rate and if one could wouldn’t 100% arrest rate be required for 100% security? Nevertheless, I agree that some resources need to be applied to significantly reduce alien entry. However, I would not advocate closing the border to legal immigrants and visitors. I do not agree with the Federation for American Immigration Reform (FAIR) demand for a temporary moratorium on all immigration except for immediate family of legal residents and a few refugees(FAIR). As the proposed legislation provides, visas should be available for extraordinary and highly skilled worker not available in the US and needed seasonal agricultural workers. (Woodsome 2013)As for visitors, they should be allowed entry in the interest of tourism but they should be tracked to ensure that they leave the US before their temporary visas expire so that they don’t blend into the under\ground illegal economy. Guest Worker Program I agree that the US should have a guest worker program if necessary to fill seasonal agricultural jobs which can’t be filled by Americans.(Woodsome 2013) In other words, the jobs should be made available to Americans first, and then to the extent they are unfilled, offered to aliens under this program. Making Legal Immigration Easier While Strengthening Enforcement Immigration should be made cheaper and easier for legal immigrants. This can be done by reducing the eligible categories and therefore the number of prospective immigrants in keeping with the country’s needs. Enforcement should definitely be strengthened ranging from increased border security to thorough background checks on those allowed in either to fill jobs or for nuclear family reunifications. There should be no automatic visas simply because the alien meets the basic criteria under the category for which he or she is applying. I would suggest extensive background checks to ensure that the prospective immigrant is unlikely to be a drain on the public purse ( for example require welfare or unemployment insurance), have a criminal record and/or terrorist affiliations, or have cultural values incompatible with American (for example a believer in honor killing). Economic Issues Illegal immigration in particular poses economic issues for both the US and the immigrant. For example, the alien may be forced to work for an employer who pays sub par wages as he will not concern himself with the alien’s immigration status. This could also make it difficult for an American worker to gain employment at his customary wage level. There is also emergency medical services cost for aliens not likely to be insured and educational costs for children of undocumented aliens. Finally they probably don’t pay income or payroll taxes to offset the extra cost of their presence. Security Issues Aliens, especially illegal, can pose serious security issues. The threat is obvious if they belong to and/or are sympathetic with a terrorist group or a criminal organization. Even if the prospective immigrant does not have a history he may take up crime or become radicalized if he is unable to gain satisfactory employment because of his undocumented status. Conclusion Only those born in a country like the US have a right to its citizenship. For everyone else, visitor or residency status or citizenship is an earned privilege. Therefore while compassion for others is noble, the US cannot be expected to be a safe haven for the millions who want to escape economic and/or political oppression. It must adopt immigration policies in its’ own self interest taking into account primarily its’ economic and population needs and its’ ability to productively absorb new arrivals. References 1) Woodsome, Kate “Details of US Immigration Bill Prioritize Work Skills” Voice of America April, 2013 retrieved from http://www.voanews.com/content/details-of-us-immigration-reveal=priority-on-workk-skills/1646143.html. 2) Woodsome, Kate “Immigration Shapes US Political Parties as Much as Demographics” Voice of America April 2013 retrieved from http://www.voanews.com/content/immigration-shapes-us-political-parties-as-much=as-demographics/ 1648600.html. 3). “FAIR Federation for American Immigration Reform” retrieved from http://www.fairus.org. 4) “US Immigration Reform” retrieved from http://www.us-immigration-reform.org. Read More