Immigration: What is to be done - Essay Example

Immigration: What is to be done? Immigration has been an issue of debate in the United States ever since the last three centuries. The issue sparks various debates amongst the citizens as well as political groups in the country. Proponents of immigration argue that immigrantsare of importance for the running of the United States. On the other hand, anti-immigration sentiments also exist where opponents argue that immigrants are taking over the rights of the citizens and affecting the cultural values of the Americans. These negative attitudes have also continued since years. In reality, it has been explained by experts like David Cole that America is a “nation of immigrants” apart from the Native Americans and this reality has been in existence since the period when Christopher Columbus landed his foot on the soil of the United States (Cole 689,691). Immigration is a controversial issue but an in depth understanding of the subject sheds light upon the fact that immigration has provided for a large number of benefits for the United States both from an economic as well as cultural perspective. Immigration has been continuing in the United States since years and many immigrants come to the United States in the hope of a better future. During the nineteenth century, a large number of immigrants came to America from Ireland and Germany. Ireland was facing a famine whereas Germany was experiencing economic as well as political instability. This wave of immigration led to the creation of anti-immigration groups and people having these emotions were referred to as “Know-Nothings.” Their major concerns were that the foreigners had led to a rise in the crime rate and beggary and were serving as an economic burden for the nation. Though this wave of dislike eventually settled in about two decades, it again arose in the twenty first century when a large number of immigrants again poured in the United States from Latin America, Asia and Arab. Opponents of immigration believe that immigrants tend to reduce the employment opportunities of the citizens who actually deserve these prospects more. Furthermore, they also believe that these immigrants pose an economic burden on the resources of the country and hence tend to reduce the amount of money that can be spent for the welfare of the country and its rightful citizens. Another reservation that is held by opponents is that the people coming from different regions bring their own languages and cultures with them and this tends to affect the originality of the language and culture of the United States (Cole 690,691; Waters). A thorough and a more rational approach to the issue of immigrationexplain that many of the assertions made by them are due to lack of knowledge. Immigrants in the long run tend to affect the United States in a positive way. The major issue that the opponents express against immigrants is in particular for the illegal immigrants in the country. But in reality these immigrants who are not legal citizens account for only thirteen percent of the total number of immigrants in the country. Furthermore, it is also correctly explained by proponents of immigration that unauthorized immigrants do not enter the soil of the country through illegal ways but rather they come on work visas or student visas and opt for not leaving the country upon the expiry of these. Thus, demanding for stricter monitoring on borders would not yield benefit on this issue. Proponents also explain that the immigrants do not actually tend to take over the employment opportunities of the citizens but they rather lead to the creation of more jobs for them. Governor Mario Cuomo put forward statistics to uphold this fact by revealing that forty thousand companies in the state of New York were owned by immigrants. These companies not only provided for a large number of jobs for the citizens but also generated revenue for the state. Proponents of immigration also put forward the fact that the contributions of immigrants in taxes is far greater than the return services that they avail from the society. Thus, the immigrants do not tend to drain the economic and societal resources of the citizens but rather add to them (Cole 138,139). Joel Kotkin, who is a knowledgeable fellow at the Chapman University as well as the Legatum University in London, explains the importance of immigration for the United States. Kotkin explains that the United States is in need of immigrants because the birth rate in the country is far too low and hence it is the immigrants who make up a major part of the work force. He has further highlighted that the key to American success in comparison to other developed countries is because it is far better at accommodating immigrants than are the European nations. Even people belonging to the European countries choose to migrate to the United States owing to better opportunities. Kotkin explains that America follows the path of “ethnic integration” and serves as a nation that attracts immigrants which is a major reason for its achievements. The Roman civilization followed a similar trend and gained success owing to this. Thus, immigration is beneficial for the United States (Kotkin). Immigrants tend to assimilate and accommodate in the culture of the United States and this integration is an essential part of the culture of the country. Children of immigrants tend to achieve progress similar to the children of the citizens and they adapt the culture of the country in a similar manner as well. These immigrants and their children also understand the importance of English and work towards learning it. Studies have revealed that the third generations of immigrants only speak English. America is a country with the best immigration policies and it provides a path for the immigrants to gain access to education and the labor market. This tends to benefit the immigrants as well as the country and hence this symbiotic relationship should continue (Waters). Immigration has been an important matter of argument in the United States. Opponents of immigration believe that immigrants burden the economy as well as the society of the United States. They consider them to be a threat to the cultural aspects of the country. But a correct picture of the issue reveals that immigration yields a large number of benefits for the United States. It adds to the work force of the country and also adds to the economy in a positive way. Immigrants not only own companies which lead to the creation of jobs but also provide for greater taxes in comparison to the benefits that they take in return. Furthermore, America has been a nation which has allowed for easy integration of the immigrants and this has been a major reason for its success in the immigration policies in comparison to the other countries. Works Cited Cole, David. “Five Myths about Immigration.”The Nation. (1994): 689-692. Kotkin, Joel. “Immigration Is U.S..”Forbes. 20 May 2010.Web. 14 Nov. 2013. Waters, Mary C. “America's Immigration Success Story.” Forbes. 29 May 2007. Web. 14 Nov. 2013. Read More