Since the United States gained independence, numerous illegal immigrants entered and still continue to enter the country. Most of these immigrants come to the U.S. with the aim of acquiring better jobs and lives than what they had in their home countries. It is estimated that there are about 11 million illegal immigrants living in the United States (Gaynor 4). This land of opportunity will undoubtedly continue to attract many who have limited chances of success in their home countries.
People end up as illegal immigrants in different ways. Some cross the border illegally, in most cases having middlemen who they pay to help evade immigration officers and border police. Popular examples of such illegal immigrants are the ‘coyotes’ that enter the US through the United States- Mexico border. Other illegal immigrants stay past their visa expiry date, with individuals possessing business or tourist visas being the most common culprits. Most illegal immigrants have not gone through high school education, especially those who cross the border illegally. Some, however, come into the country for a short while before going back home, and are known as ‘sojourners’ they are mainly in pursuit of better jobs earning good money so they can get a good head start to a good life back home.
Illegal immigrants have no legal right of being in the country; however, they may give birth to children, who according to the American law automatically become citizens by birth. Such children are called ‘anchor babies’; however, these children are still never fully considered legal citizens of the United States. In August 2012, President Barrack Obama introduced the dream act, a federal act that defers the deportation of young immigrants (Dartford 3). They were given work permits and amnesty so any information they provide during this process will not be used in making arrests of them or their relatives. This act however has various conditions required in order for one to be eligible. For example, for an immigrant to be considered under this law, they should have immigrated to the United States before their sixteenth birthday. Also, they should be 30 years or less, and should show proof of residence in the US of at least 5 years from June 15th, 2007. The immigrant should also be either in school or graduated, have no criminal record, or have served and been honorably discharged from the US army. However this act has stirred mixed feelings among Americans, as they claim that foreigners are being offered working opportunities while most of the average Americans still remain jobless. This offer of partial amnesty has been seen by some as a desperate move by Barrack Obama in effort to win Latino votes ahead of the election in November (Dartford 8).
Immigrants may be termed as illegal for one of the following three reasons: entering the country without authorization and or inspection, staying past the authorized period following legal entry, or violating legal entry terms. According to section 1325 of the U.S. immigration code, it is illegal to enter or attempt to enter the US at a location or during a time not designated by immigration officers. The law also indicates that it is illegal to enter the U.S. using false information or by with-holding information critical to the immigration process. A violation of the Section 1325 is punishable by a six month jail term for first-time offenders and up to 2 years for subsequent offenses. Also, in addition to imprisonment, fines may be imposed on the offender based on the decision of the courts.
The United States continues to have stringent immigration policies that have never been revised since they were first enacted. It is quite hard even for foreign students to attain citizenship, which has led to America losing highly intelligent and resourceful manpower. This should not be so, as tax payers invest a lot in international students and it would only be fair if they were allowed into the job market where they can create jobs for themselves and others. While some countries like Canada, the U.K and Australia offer close to 60 percent of their annual permanent visas on an employment basis, the United States only offers 15 percent (Gyawali 3).
Judging by the current situation, border controls cannot be termed as adequate enough. Even after numerous immigrants crossing over to the United States from Mexico for years now, it still continues right under the noses of law enforcers. In some cases, it might be deliberate, though; corruption might be at work more often than not. Immigrants find a loop hole and eventually cross over.
If I were the president of the United States I would oppose illegal immigrants because as a result of the presence of them, the population increases, resulting in fewer job opportunities. Some of the foreigners are usually willing to work for little pay, leading to employers lowering their wages and hiring these immigrants who do not mind being exploited. Subsequently, this lowers the wages of the American citizens. This would eventually widen the socio-economic gap between the poor, middle-class and the rich. In many cases when immigrants do not find what they expected, some form criminal gangs as they prefer them to lowly paid wages.
Works Cited
Datford, Katy. “Queue here for America: Thousands of illegal immigrants line up for right to
work in the U.S. under Obama's 'dream' act.” Mail Online, 16 Aug. 2012. Web. 15 Oct.
2012. (http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2189122/Thousands-illegal-immigrants-
line-right-work-U-S-Barack-Obamas-dream-act.html)
Gaynr, Tim. “States passing fewer immigration laws.” Reuters, 6 Aug. 2012. Web. 16 Oct. 2012.
(http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/08/06/us-usa-immgration-states-
idUSBRE87506E20120806).
Gyawali, Pratistha. “Absurd U.S. Immigration Policies Amount To Economy Sapping Talent
Drain.” Forbes, 30 July 2012. Web. 15 Oct. 2012.
(http://www.forbes.com/sites/realspin/2012/07/30/absurd-u-s-immigration-policies-
amount-to-economy-sapping-talent-drain/)
