Is crossing the border really crossing the line?

The only future awaiting María and Juan Gomez in their tiny village in Mexico was working the fields from sunup to sundown, living mostly on tortillas and beans. So 10 years ago, when they were both 17, they crossed into the United States illegally, near San Diego. Now ensconced in the large Latino community outside Washington, D.C., they are working hard at building a life for themselves and their young son.
Juan and María (not their real names) follow a simple strategy — staying out of trouble and undercutting competitors. Juan does landscaping, charging about $600 for major yard work — about $400 less than the typical legal contractor. María cleans houses for $70; house-cleaning services normally charge $85 or more.
They aren't complaining, but María and Juan know they offer bargain-basement prices. “You walk down the street, and every house being built, Hispanics are building it,” María says in Spanish. “This country is getting more work for less money.”

Are these individuals really hurting our economy and the culture of the United States? Are they causing problems by being in the United States and striving for a better standard of living? Should we send them back, or let them stay? Why?

Hopefully this blog has provided you with information that will help you formulate your opinion on this issue and enable you to answer these questions and use supporting evidence to validate your stance on illegal immigration.

Other Important Issues and Blogs that Explore their Principles

As illustrated throughout this blog, illegal immigration is currently a very debated topic in the news and society. By reading my blog, I hope that you have been educated on the basics of the immigration debate and formulated an opinion towards the subject. There are many other debated issues in the United States at this point in time. Some of which include abortion, global warming, and the death penalty. All of these issues are discussed in politics and are often distorted to make you believe one side or the argument or turn you against another. Listed below are the URLs for blogs on these issues, created by my classmates, that explore the principles of each of these issues.


Abortion
I really enjoy reading this blog. She does a good job of breaking down the abortion debate into a manageable topic and discussing the arguments of the different opinions about abortion. The argument throughout this blog is historically and statistically supported, which makes a very logical appeal to the reader. If you sit on the fence on the topic of abortion, like I once did, this blog will be very useful in helping formulate an opinion on the issue.


Death Penalty
This blog explores the death penalty and all of its unfair principles. The author of this blog is very against the death penalty and provides a very strong argument about the vastness of the issue. The use of the slogan "People Shouldn't Kill People, So Neither Should the Government" provides an idea that I have never thought of, and certainly put things in perspective for my feelings towards the death penalty. The inconsistencies and unfairness of the death penalty process are examined. This blog leaves a lasting impression on the reader and explores all the reasons why the death penalty is immoral and should be discontinued.

Global Warming
The third and most integrative blog discusses global warming while using bright colors, catchy song lyrics, and interesting connections to everyday life. This blog is very intriguing and gives the facts about global warming while being very creative and informative. The blogger discusses environmentally friendly activities and introduces an environment friendly clothing line. The topic is a very widely debated and has serious consequences. The seriousness can often turn away younger readers and create a sense of boredom; however, this blog does a great job of entertaining the reader while informing them about the subject.

My Thoughts on Illegal Immigration; Before and After

Through these past few weeks of researching and exploring the aspects of illegal immigration my thoughts and views towards the issue have grown in complexity. The issue of illegal immigration is a broad issue with many components that affect the United States as a whole. When I first decided to focus my blog on illegal immigration, I thought the issue was simple. There were two distinct viewpoints towards the topic. People were either apathetic towards illegal immigrants and their need for a better life or they were the exact opposite, wanting to send them to their home country in fear of the economy being negatively influenced. As I continued my analysis of the issue I realized that I had only begun to graze the surface.
I now know that illegal immigration is an issue that involves many aspects of society. The complexity of this issue is intertwined into the everyday lives of Americans regardless of economical status. Through my research I have learned about the role of the immigrant in society and how immigrants are a crucial part of the workforce in order to keep the prices of products reasonable for consumers. I have also explored some of the generalizations made about illegal immigrants and their situations in the United States. It is proven that over time, immigrants eventually pay more to the United States than they recieve in federal assistance.
As a result of this issue being so complex, the plans proposed to improve the current situation are often flawed and do not benefit all of those involved. After examining the impact of illegal immigration and the possible viewpoints, it seems impossible to find a plan that contributes to the satisfaction of all those involved. The key to finding an effective policy seems to combine elements from each argument and find the plan that benefits that majority of US citizens and is most humane for illegal immigrants without causing a decline in economy.
By studying both sides of the argument I have learned to take other people's viewpoints into consideration. I have learned that to "solve" a problem such as illegal immigration, we are US citizens must educate ourselves about the topic at hand and take into account how the decisions we make will affect the United States today and how it will affect our future.
My viewpoint on the subject has changed, due to the knowledge I have gained throughout this blog. I now realize that while immigrants come to the United States for a better life from terrible conditions and poverty stricken countries;however, they directly compete with high school drop outs and the lower end of the economical ladder. I feel that if an immigation policy is created where we can effectively regulate the number of individuals entering the country, we can shrink the gap between the social classes in America, decrease the unemployment rate, and keep consumer prices low, while maintaining the overall economy.

America's Future; Is There a "Right" answer?

Illegal immigration is currently one of the most publicized issues in society because it affects everyone. It is discussed by politicians, government officials, teachers, health care professionals, business owners, and everyday citizens. Everyone has their own opinion offering new "solutions" was to deal with immigration. But with so many different viewpoints concerning immigration, how are we, as Americans, supposed to agree on a proposed plan?
Illegal immigrant's effect on the US citizens is incomparable because they affect distinct groups of society in different ways. However, the immigrant is a vital part of the economy, therefore, it is irrational to deport them. These two factors make it impossible to choose a side of the immigration issue and declare it as the "right" perspective. Statements and generalizations such as "immigrants live for free" and "immigrants hurt our economy" are also logical fallacies that contribute to the polarization in the immigration issue. Because the issue is so complex, an effective proposed plan will have to incorporate points from both opposing sides' arguments.
So, What if the issue remains unresolved?
If the illegal immigration issue remains unresolved, the United States economy will decline, the number of immigrants will steadily increase, and the country will soon become overcrowded. While the US needs immigrants to provide cheap labor, the system must be modified to better control the borders and the immigration process.

The Immigration Debate

Because illegal immigration is such a current issue in society, many credible websites have been created to explore the debate. Immigration is analyzed in politics and researched by many scholars throughout the United States. The opinions and information of these individuals can be found in the links list below. A range of topics dealing with the immigration debate including The Pros and Cons of Immigration, the relevance of immigrants in the economy, and the political actions being taken to deal with immigration, can be found in the following information.



http://www.articler.com/10519/Illegal-Immigration-Pros-And-Cons.html
The Pros and Cons of Illegal Immigration displayed in a very precise manner. This link presents both sides of the issue and brings ideas to the attention of the reader that they may have overlooked.

Debate Over Immigration
A research oriented article that takes a closer look into the admittance of newcomers in the United States and addresses the issue of allowing illegal immigrants to remain in the United States if they have been residents for a number of years.

Immigration and the Economy
This is an article that dissects the relationship between the United States economy and the Illegal Immigrant Population.

http://www.immigrationline.org/publications.asp?pubid=491
A closer look into the statement that illegal immigrants "Live For Free" and answers to some common misunderstandings about Immigration.

Bush's Guest Worker Program
The current plan to modify the immigration policy. This website breaks down Bush's Guest Worker Program and explains the facts.

Reformation of the Immigration Policy
This link focuses on the debate of how to revise the immigration policy. The website explores the possibilities of reforming the policy to help secure the nation's borders versus focusing on a way to help illegal immigrants obtain worker's permits.

Center for Immigration Studies
This website provides a plethora of information about Immigrants and provides answers to any question that you may have. It also provides a list of Publications pertaining to illegal immigration for further studies on the topic.

Immigration Counter
Up-to-date statistics about immigration in the United States.

Alternatives and Solutions for Illegal Immigration by Lee Iwan
A in-depth look at why the Immigration debate is so complex and a proposal of solutions to the problem.

Illegal Immigration Explained - Profits & Poverty, Social Security & Starvation
An analysis of the causes of illegal immigration, the role of the immigrant in society, and their impact on the economy.

Should They Stay or Should They Go?; Is it really that simple? The Immigration Theory

So what's the big deal on this whole illegal immigration topic anyway? What's all the fuss about?

Illegal immigration is a major issue in society today because immigrants are essential to the growth and development of our country; however, many US citizens see immigrants as villains who don't pay taxes and come to the US to live for free. Many industries depend on immigrants to fill positions as low-skilled workers who accept low wages. The low wages provide a profit for businesses and allow the products to be sold at a lower price to consumers. On the other hand, many United States citizens think that illegal immigrants take advantage of our government services by not paying taxes and using our school systems, health care, and many other social services. The inability to understand both sides of this issues result in a binary argument concerning the effects of immigrants on our economy.

Do immigrants help or hurt our economy? Why can't we just send them all back to where they came from?

While immigrants do put a strain on our economy, in terms of utilizing government services, they also are a vital part of the economy which cannot be replaced. As an industrialized nation, the US depends on these low-skilled workers in many areas such as agriculture, construction, restaurants, and other businesses. The effects of immigrants on our economy is the central idea in the immigration debate. The answer varies between individuals and the statistical information doesn't accurately represent the specified areas affected. Ultimately, whether immigrants help or hurt the economy is directly related to the position of each individual in society.
For many businesses such as construction companies, agricultural companies, and restuarants immigrants provide a source of cheap labor which elevates profits and benefits businesses. Individuals who own these businesses see the way immigrants directly benefit the economy. Other individuals who are less educated, such as high school drop-outs, compete directly with illegal immigrants to obtain jobs. The US citizens are often forced out of job opportunities because immigrants are willing to do work for a lower rate. This scenario hurts the economic status of this sector of the American population.

Exploring Bush's Guest Worker Program; One Idea at a Time

As the President of the United States, George Bush is often the scapegoat for the problems related to illegal immigration. The need for a program to satisfy the needs of the immigrant and the US citizen is long overdue. Everyone has their own opinion on the issue and many propose solutions of ways to better our country and decrease the number of illegal immigrants crossing the border. Bush and his administration have recently outlined a plan to benefit illegal immigrants and aid them in providing for their families while introducing options for returning to their home country.
The new "Guest Worker Program" will allow illegal immigrants to apply for jobs in which American Citizens are not willing to obtain. The immigrants will be given up to six years to live in the United States before they ae required to return home. The program is outlined in an article in the Washington Post as follows;

"Under the plan, foreign workers -- including the estimated 11 million illegal immigrants already in the United States -- could apply to work for three years. Each would be matched with an employer, provided with a biometric identification card to help track his or her whereabouts, and released in the country.
But immigrants who are already living in the United States illegally would have to pay an unspecified fine before they could enter the program. They would also be dispatched to the back of the employment line, behind foreign nationals who followed the rules.".
(http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/10/18/AR2005101801613.html)

The Guest Worker program seems like a logical way to improve the lives of the immigrants and decrease the number of immigrants who are caught illegally crossing the border. This progam would call for new technology and new Border Patrol agents which would result in more legal immigration that is beneficial to our economy. The Guest Worker Program is a a possible option that works to find a solution that benefits everyone involved.

The different elements of the Guest Worker Program and how they relate to the immigrant are what make the plan seem so favorable. This program takes into account the amount in which the United States economy depends on these immigrants. As stated in the article by the US Immigration Support, "Bush mentioned that the growth of immigrants over time has propelled the economy into the world’s largest and has allowed it to become a powerhouse." The program also provides a means to identify and keep track of all the immigrants which provides a sense of safety and is advantagous for Homeland Security. This program is a way of treating immigrants with respect, identifying the immigrants, and allowing them to enjoy the benefits of living in the United States without the fear of deportation. The plan is very rational because it provides a way to control immigration without causing a major drop in the economy. It also provides a way for the law to "give back to illegal immigrants".