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".

Amnesty: A Possible Solution?

A topic that has been recently discussed in politics is "Amnesty for illegal immigrants". Amnesty would forgive illegal status and offer permanent residence for those individuals currently living in the United States. This option seems to reward illegal immigration and would encourage more immigrants to cross the border illegally.
If you ask me, amnesty is taking the easy way out. It is a temporary solution to a problem that will have a "snow-ball effect" and continue to grow until it is out of control. There may be no real "solution" to illegal immigration. The United States should deal with illegal immigration by combining many different strategies and not just allowing those individuals to become legal citizens of the United States.

Immigrants "Live for Free"; A Common Misunderstanding

"Our review of economic research finds immigrants not only help fuel the Nation's economic growth, but also have an overall positive effect on the income of native-born workers."

-Council of Economic Advisers Chairman Edward P. Lazear

http://www.whitehouse.gov/cea/cea_immigration_062007.html

Illegal Immigrants come to the United States for a better life, but how do they affect the citizens of the United States and the economy? It is a common misconception that illegal immigrants "live for free" in the United States. In general, they do not pay income tax and utilize other government services which does cause a drain on government spending. However, Illegal immigrants do pay sales tax and add to the number of consumers in the World Market. Illegal immigrants lower the wages for native-born low skilled workers in the United States. As a result, Americans benefit by paying lower prices for things like resturant meals, agricultural products, and construction.

Illegal immigration does have big impacts, both negatively and positively, on our economy. However, these impacts often offset each other, and overall there is said to be a small positive effect. Illegal immigration affects many Americans on different levels. The amount of education and qualifications of the US citizen determine the impact that the immigrant has on their lives. Low-skilled workers and high school drop-outs are most affected by illegal immigrants because they are the people the immigrants are competing with for jobs. The average American's wealth is increased by less than 1% each year.

Immigration does impact our economy, however, the use of automation in manufacturing and the growth in global trade have a bigger impact on wages, prices, and the health of the US economy. Americans would not see a significant boost in the economy if illegal immigrants were deported.

A World of Opportunities

The United States is viewed as a World of opportunities for many individuals around the globe. Afterall, the US is an economical giant and a superpower with endless educational and job opportunities. It seems, at least to some, like there's a place for everyone in "The Melting Pot" known as the United States.

Buzzards and children compete for scraps at the Tegucigalpa, Honduras, landfill. Boys scavenge for anything they can eat or sell. Northbound freight trains through Mexico are crowded with Hondurans fleeing poverty and in search of work or a relative in the U.S.

Illegal immigrants recognize the plethora of opportunities and yearn to take advantage of them. These individuals live in countries with a large amount of poverty, crime, and insufficient resources. For example, in a survey done in 2002, half of the Mexican population was living in poverty and one fifth was living in extreme poverty. Individuals living in this extreme poverty earn less than $2 a day, are not able to support their families, do not have access to running water, food, and many other neccessary resources. The causes of this poverty can be explained by three major factors: invidual condition, the geographic factor, and the political economy of the country. These extenuating circumstances are what eventually force the individual to migrate to the United States and explore the options to improve their standard of living.






Actually entering the United States illegally is challenging enough, not to mention the new border enforcement and the fence being built to prevent such events from happening. Immigrants risk their lives to enter the US and the lives of their loved ones as well. This can be attributed to the "pull factors" that draw these people to the US. These factors include higher wages, possible employment, higher standards of living, and better education opportunities. The education system in the US offers a better education than school systems in places such as Mexico or Honduras. If the children of these immigrants are able to recieve a better education, they will be able to obtain better jobs.


When immigrants successfully cross the border, they fill jobs as "low skilled workers". The working conditions are not good and the immigrants are often paid below minimum wage. The immigrants are exploited, however they accept the working conditions, low pay, and long hours because it is better than their former circumstances. These immigrants help the economy by filling jobs as "low skilled workers" and benefit US citizens by performing cheap labor which helps keep costs down.


Illegal immigration has been a hot topic in politics lately. The main focus has been on ways to solve the "immigration problem". US citizens view immigration as harmful to the economy and are forcing politicians to find ways to improvise the immigration policy. One improvision is the Real ID policy which would make it harder to falsify legal documents and obtain a fake driver's license.


President Bush has also begun to seek improvements in the immigration policy by his "Guest Worker Program". The program will allow illegal immigrants to obtain jobs that Americans are not willing to fill in exchange for a 3 years visa, with an option of extension with proof of employment.

The United States of America; Immigrants Welcome!

Alright, so now that we've briefly discussed the pros and cons of the immigration debate, I'd like to openly express my opinion on illegal immigration. Illegal immigration is a "neccessary evil" in our society today. After all, aren't we all immigrants? When the Mayflower arrived to North America in 1620, the pilgrims inhabited "The New World". The fact is, there were already Native Americans living in North America. Our country was founded by men who traveled across the world, in search of new opportunities for a better life, much like the immigrants of today.

Illegal immigrants come to the United States, as previously stated, in search for job opportunities and ways to improve their standard of living. There are many resources in the United States that these immigrants are not able to access in their country. Everyday items that we as Americans take for granted, these people see as a luxury. Running water, electricity, a multi-room house, and shelter are just a few examples. The poorest of conditions in the United States haven't even begun to graze the surface of the severity of the living conditions in other countries. Immigrants also come to the United States in search of a better education for their children. The public school system in the United States provides an opportunity for children to get a good education and go on to be successful later in life.

Let's examine our everyday lives and our interactions with immigrants throughout our daily routine. The grocery store, agricultural centers, nursing homes, construction sites, cleaning services are all filled with immigrants doing work for low wages thus benefitting society. Indeed, some sectors of the economy might have a hard time functioning without illegal workers. Brendan Flanagan, director of legislative affairs for the National Restaurant Association, insists “Restaurants, hotels, nursing homes, agriculture — a very broad group of industries — are looking for a supply of workers to remain productive,” he says, because in many parts of the country, native workers aren't available at any price.

So, if you ask me about illegal immigrants, I'd say they benefit our economy in many ways and we are in turn helping them as well. They come here in search for a better life, risking their lives just to cross the border. Immigrants introduce new culture and a new language that will inspire Americans to educate themselves to better communicate.

Illegal immigration is obviously a problem with no clear solution. It's something that is going to happen, regardless of the border enforcement and any other means to stop immigrants from coming to the United States. If you ask me, immigrants are essential to the growth, development, and economic prosperity of our country.

Does the good outweigh the bad?

Many view illegal immigration in a derogatory way. Maybe you're one of those people who complain about all the immigrants in you area and think that they come to the United States and "live for free". While illegal immigrants do have a negative impact on our economy, they also benefit US citizens in many ways. Below are a list of pros and cons associated with illegal immigrants taken from http://www.articler.com/10519/Illegal-Immigration-Pros-And-Cons.html. Do they pros out weigh the cons? Feel free to comment and leave your opinions.

Pros Of Illegal Immigration:
1. It helps keep the economy moving by filling low-wage jobs.
2. It provides a better lifestyle for those who enter the country illegally.
3. It creates a pool of consumers for a variety of goods and services.
4. Farmers are able to plant and harvest less expensively.
5. Contributions to social security funds often go unclaimed.
6. Illegal immigrants pay sales taxes.
7. Illegal residents, who are property owners, also pay real estate taxes.
8. Millions of illegals rent properties in depressed areas where renters are hard to find.
9. They purchase real estate and generate commissions for agents and brokers.
10. Illegal immigrants contribute to mortgage loan profits.
11. They open bank accounts that yield interest and dividends to bankers.
12. Many purchase auto insurance and contribute to insurers profits margins.

Cons Of Illegal Immigration:
1. Burden on tax-based resources, costing taxpayers billions of dollars.
2. Difficult prosecution and justice when perpetrators flee the country.
3. Disparity between legal immigrants who follow the rules and those who don't.
4. They risk death when traveling the desert to reach the borders.
5. Those who successfully cross the border inspire those left behind to do the same.
6. Continued growth of the demand for cheap labor and low wages.
7. No government reimbursement to offset states' illegal alien maintenance costs.
8. Potential negative effects on working and middle-class citizens.
9. Millions of U.S. dollars remitted to Mexico
10. Mortgage loan fraud
11. Fake document mills
12. Imbalance in authorized immigration quotas

Illegal Immigration; What does it mean to you?

Illegal Immigration is an issue that has been widely discussed throughout the past year by lawmakers, presidential candidates, and many people in Congress. There have been many people that have voiced their opinions and offered solutions to keep these "Unwelcomed Guests" from becoming a part of the most powerful country in the World. While lawmakers and people of position openly discuss the immigration debate with a political mindset, we as Citizens of the United States should approach this issue on a more personal level.
As one approaches the issue of illegal immigration, one must remember that these immigrants are human beings and our equal. We as Americans have no right to look down upon these individuals in any way, shape, or form. Many of these individuals live in unbearable conditions far worse than anything seen in the United States. Many of the things that are taken for granted by many Americans, such as electricity, water, and shelter are luxuries to these people. They come to this country for a better quality of life. The United States is an economical giant and the most influential country in the World. We as citizens are aware of this, however it is more evident from the outside looking in. In reality, who wouldn't want to improve their standard of living, make more money, and have the opportunity to better provide for their family? As the foreign populations become more aware of the benefits of migrating to the United States, the population of immigrants will continue to increase.
There is growing concern about illegal immigration as the population of immigrants is steadily rising. Look around you, how many immigrants do you see?As http://www.immigrationcounters.com/ states, statistically there are 21,148,699 illegal immigrants in the United States today. As we think about how illegal immigrants are affecting our lives, we must also consider the long term effects of their prescence in the United States on the coming generations. If we allow immigrants in the US, what will the World be like for our children and grandchildren? As adults, will they be considered a minority in their own country as a result of our leniency in controlling immigration?