Introduction
Immigration has and remains to be a topic of concern across various United States context. The influx of illegal immigrants into the United States has resulted in the creation of various immigration laws and policies. Despite the existence of these laws, immigration remains to be a crucial concern in the United States. Overall, various laws that have been implemented to curb immigration have had different short and long-term implications.
Enhanced Boarder Security and Visa Entry Reform Act of 2002
Also referred to as Public Law 107-173, Enhanced Border Security and Visa Entry Reform Act of 2002 occurs as one of the various laws enacted in the United States with the sole intent of curbing illegal immigration. Evidently, the main cause that this law sought to achieve was to assure that border security is tightened and enhanced. Worth noting is the fact that this law proposed the use of technological innovations enhances matters on immigration. Precisely, this law proposed that there was a need to utilized technological platforms to share data regarding aliens. As noted by the law, such data ought to be shared between federal law enforcement agencies, intelligence agencies, and the State Department. This law also called on a need to assure that entry and travel documents issued to immigrants contain biometric identifiers.
The passing Enhanced Border Security and Visa Entry Reform Act of 2002 affected various populations, especially the immigrants. The immigrants were affected in that they were required to carry Identification Documents merged with biometric technology components. In addition, immigrants were affected in that the law required that schools offer comprehensive report on immigrant student attending classes across various schools. On another notes law enforcement agencies, especially Border Patrol Agents were affected in that this law recommended a need for more patrols on the United States boarders.
REAL ID Act of 2005
The second Act that is closely aligned with immigration is the REAL ID Act that was passed in the year 2005. This Act stipulated that there was a need for Identification Documents that meet specific security standards, especially in cases where one is boarding a plane, entering a government building, and when opening accounts in the bank. This Act was primarily enacted with the sole intent of addressing terrorism and immigration issues. Notably, The REAL ID Act differs from the Enhanced Boarder Security Act and Visa Entry Reform Act in that the later applied to immigrants alone. The REAL ID Act of 2005 was applicable to all Americans, and not immigrants alone. As such, it affected various American populations in various ways.
The REAL ID Act had a colossal impact on various American citizens. More importantly, the Act was highly invasive in that it allowed for routine monitoring and tracking of every individual. In addition, this Act was highly bureaucratic in that it required that American citizens make long queues and repeat trips in various places where licenses and ID were being issued. On another note, this Act was expensive in that it required payment of high fees in order to get ID’s, and licenses.
Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996
Similar to the above connoted Acts, Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996 was also aimed at containing immigration issues in the United States. This Act stipulated that illegal immigrants who have been in the United States for more than six months but less than one year should remain outside the United State for three years except for case where they get a pardon. As such, this laws mainly affected immigrants, whereby it made it difficult for them to access welfare benefits. In other cases, this law affected the immigrants in that they were required to produce phone verification for authentication by their employers. However, there is a need to note that the effects of this law extended to the implications it posed on agencies enforcing legal immigration, especially those involved in border patrols.
Conclusion
Overall, immigration problems in the United States emanate from various factors including illegal border crossing, illegal entry, and visa overstay. Immigration into the United States has resulted in rapid population rise coupled with cultural changes. In conclusion, various immigration laws enacted in the United States have often aimed at addressing the pertinent factors precipitating immigration issues.
