U.S. immigration reform policy circa 2001 to present
U.S. immigration reform policy circa 2001 to present
Introduction
During the last three administrations of the United States, influx of foreigners has been a priority issue considering that illegal immigrants are posing a threat to the bon fide citizens of the United States. The threat posed by the illegal immigrants is not only connected to security, but also such things as economy and social status. There have been many reforms made with an aim of reconstructing the current situation. The reforms made do not only focus on illegal immigration but rather touch on immigration as a whole. Even so, the major focus is concentrated on illegal immigration because regulating the number of illegal immigrants may be quite impracticable (Farnam, 2005). The major reason as to why the U.S. immigration reform policy circa 2001 to present is said to be more concerned with illegal immigrants is because such reform policy is coupled with such efforts as border enforcement and vigilance on the marginal areas and boarders of the United States. Currently illegal immigration ranks top among the foremost troubles facing the entire United States. It is estimated that there are millions of illegal immigrants with full access to public utilities established by tax payer’s funds. For instance it is estimated that the United States spends over ten billion dollars every year in providing health care to the illegal immigrants. Considering that illegal immigrants are a non tax compliant group, they are a big setback to the efforts of achieving and sustaining continuous growth and development in the economy. This research paper endeavors to evaluate the U.S. immigration reform policy circa 2001 to present in light of the security situation.
This research paper is determined to answer the following questions.
- Has the U.S. immigration reform policy circa 2001 to present brought more damage than good as far as security is concerned?
- Has such policy achieved the objectives which it was designed to attain? Has it served its purpose?
- How effective have the series of legislative reforms regarding immigration been to this day?
Research hypothesis
The exact hypothesis that the research seeks to address is: The U.S. immigration reform policy circa 2001 to present has not improved the security situation. Apparently, the most prominent concern of the U.S government, when designing such legislation as that relating to immigration, is security. The illegal immigrants are generally associated with such evils as drug trafficking, human trafficking as well as terrorism (West & Brookings Institution, 2010). As such, the effectiveness of the U.S. immigration reform policy circa 2001 to present can only be evaluated by the much the legislation has managed to reduce insecurity as the key menace facing the United States today. The hypothesis is of relevance as it will enable the government and the enforcement agencies to answer various analytical questions relating to the efficiency and effectiveness of the legislation.
Existing research
Previous research indicates that reforms made with regard to immigration has not achieved the desired objectives and intended purpose. Notably, all reforms that have been made previously relating to this topic have had common aims such as, reducing insecurity , reducing illegal immigrants, reducing terrorism as well as mitigating drug and human trafficking activities Rachbauer (2008). Since the administration of democrat president bill Clinton, many reforms have been made with the aim of reducing the number of immigrants both legal and illegal. However it is worth mentioning that it is during the Obama administration that immigration has taken center stage in public policy making West and Brooking Institution (2010). Previous research has indicated that the major hindrance to the effectiveness of the reforms is inadequate and ineffective enforcement. Additionally such things as political ideology difference have brought gross lack of co operation among the legislators. Corruption and other irregularities have as well contributed to the ineffectiveness of such reforms.
Newton (2008), notes that the reforms have been ineffective due to disparities or rather uneven enforcement. Newton argues that much of the border enforcement has been concentrated on the Mexican border which has been long described as the major loop hole in America’s margin and borders. Over concentration of enforcement efforts along the Mexican border has led to creation of other entry points, more especially along the eastern coast line. West and Brooking Institution (2010) indicate that the Mexican border enforcement is one characterized by severe corruption and irregular deals that render immigration reforms irrelevant. It is for this reason that, according to Farnam (2005), the government should invest more resources and efforts into coupling regular enforcement with intelligence efforts.
Other researchers (Newton (2008), Rosenblum (2011), and LeMay (2006)) have observed that the major problem with the immigration reform policy is the fact that such reforms are not comprehensive as they do not have considerations for international policy. For this reason many political leaders have turned down the reforms and risen up against one another’s opinion on the same. According to Rosenblum (2011), the government has concentrated more on politicizing the issue rather that giving it and objective approach. Critics have argued that immigration policy is subject to political alignment and campaign strategies. For instance during the just completed presidential election of the united states immigration was a key question in the famous presidential debate, with either candidate expressing favors for illegal immigrants that have proven to be economically productive. This according to the most recent researches amounts to silent consent to the existence and entry of illegal immigrants.
Relevance of the research was be rooted in the use of relevant and measurable variables. Such variables were in such a way that they related to both The U.S. immigration reform policy circa 2001 to present and the extent to which such reform has impacted on the security situation in the United States of America. Relevant research focused on how the enforcement of the laws has taken place this far. The enforcement of the anti-illegal immigration policies takes many forms. Arguably, illegal immigration accounts for a significant proportion of the total number of foreign persons in the US. It is for this particular point that the administration of the United States has invested a lot on border enforcement. The effectiveness of border enforcement has been affected by such things as corruption and vested interest. The Mexican border has been identified as the worst point along all borders of the united states as far as illegal immigration and drug trafficking are concerned (Graham, 2008). The research considered all the factors relating to border enforcement in relation to border security. For relevance purpose, the research will use three variables. The research employed one dependent changeable and two primary independent variables. The prime dependent variable was security in terms of securing the border. The independent variables that were used were the legal reforms and the border enforcement. Worth noting is the fact that independent variables do not change with changes in other variables. On the contrary, the reliant variable, which, in this situation, is security, varies according to changes in other variables.
Analysis of variables and outcomes of the research
In looking at the outcomes of the research, the variable both the dependent and independent are analyzed independently since the outcomes of the study relate to each of the variable differently.
Dependent variable
For purposes of this research, the dependent variable was securing the boarder. Considering that the hypothesis of the research concerned itself with security it was only reasonable that this variable be given prominence as it was central to the success or otherwise of the said reform. Securing the border is a task executed by the personnel from both the police department and the intelligence agencies, and in some cases the military personnel. With regard to this variable the research concentrated on the volatile Mexican border with the major research objective being to establish the extent to which the reforms had impacted on the levels of insecurity that could be connected to illegitimate immigration which was as a result of terrorists’ intentions as well as drug and human trafficking. It is noteworthy that illegal trade relating to narcotics is among the most hazardous businesses affecting the United States today.
As part of the findings the research found out that illegal immigration, drug trafficking, illegitimate trade and human trafficking had reduced considerably following enhanced efforts at securing the border. In coming up with this conclusion the research used comparative studies that sought to establish the differences in the number of illegal immigrants and reported cases of smuggled drugs in the periods of reforms and the period before the year 2001. It was further found out that terrorist activities had reduced considerably since the beginning of the institution and enactment of the reforms. Before the year 2002, the level of terrorists’ activities related to border weaknesses were considerably high. Among the findings was the fact that securing borders had considerably reduced the illegitimate act of human trafficking. It was further established that the government efforts at having the border security beefed up were under way.
Government measures and efforts at affecting the outcomes
In order to enhance border security, the government has come up with a number of measures. The most prominent among such measures is the efforts to deploy more intelligence personnel to the border regions as a way of ensuring minimal corruption and irregular activities (Vita & Ervin, 2012). Additionally the government has come up with a sweeping arrangement that will see the deployment of military personnel to the borders especially that of Mexico where violent behavior is par for the course and the efforts by the foreigners to gain illegitimate entry into the United States.
Independent variables and research outcomes
For purposes of this research paper, the independent variables used were border enforcement and immigration reforms. The variables were considered independent as they do not change with variation in other variables for instance securing the border would not change reforms instead such reforms would affect the extent to which the border is secured.
Border enforcement
In relation to border enforcement the research found out that the government had invested much efforts and resources both financial and human resources towards enforcing laid down reforms along the borders of the United States. Such border enforcements had considerably reduced instances of illegal entry of both commodities and people. According to the outcomes of the research the enforcement was enhanced through an augmentation in the number of security staff from both the police and other security agencies. The research further established that unlike the pre reform period, current enforcement was less characterized by such irregularities as corruption and ratio favoritism.
The research indicated that tremendous changes in border enforcement had taken place between 2008 and present. During this period, border related crimes had reduced considerably. The research found out that enhanced border enforcement had reduced insecurity through mitigating the entry of illegal arms that were used within the borders of the United States to perpetrate insecurity and violent crime. In straight forward terms, border enforcement had improved the security situation in the United States. With the improved security situation, came such positives as the improvement of the economy in terms of higher tax income coupled with a reduction in consumption of such tax revenue by illegitimate residents. Generally border enforcement reduced all evils associated with the presence and ease of entry of illegal immigrants.
Immigration reforms
This research focused on those reforms that related to immigration within the borders of the United States. Following the over whelming influx of illegitimate immigrants the issue of undocumented residents has become a key concern to recent administrations of the United States of America (Rosenblum, 2011). Various reforms have been made with regard to the same over the years. Even so, the most prominent reforms were executed in the past one decade when the issue of immigration was associated with security and economy. Immigration reforms were considered an independent variable for purposes of this research because it is not affected by such thing as insecurity. Instead it determines the level of security as affected by the entry of illegal immigrants.
The research established that since the commencement of the post reform period, illegal immigration had dropped considerably leading to an enhancement in the security position and economy. The reforms have led to enhanced border enforcement and public policy making. Border enforcement is, according to the findings of the research the most prominent result of the immigration reforms. This way immigration reforms have improved all efforts aimed at securing the border. According to the research progressive changes in immigration reforms had led to more effective efforts at securing the border. In other terms, much like border enforcement immigration reforms had a direct relationship with securing the border.
Conclusion
In conclusion, it is clear that, from the research findings U.S. immigration reform policy circa 2001 to present has considerably improved the security situation, a factor that has led to better economic performance. Additionally it is clear that from the outcomes of the research border enforcement and immigration reforms are the key factors that have caused an improvement in the security status at the border lines. Notably, securing the border which is subject to reform and enforcement has been given prominence by the United States government hence improving security and reducing the porosity of the United States border.
Recommendations
As a way of improving the situation that has been negatively affected by illegitimate immigration the following recommendations are suggested.
- Selective deportation of undocumented residents within the borders of the United States, more especially those with any form of criminal record.
- The government should come up with structures and measures aimed at enhancing the efforts of reducing corruption at the points of entry
- As a way of adding to border enforcement, the government should beef up security and enforcement at such entry points as the airport and the sea ports.
- The government should endeavor to come up with comprehensive reforms that reflect contemporary situations.
- As a way of enhancing enforcement, the government should ensure that the general public is informed on the issue of illegal immigrants. This may foster efforts that may improve local vigilance and community policing.
- More research should be done on even enforcement of the new laws relating to illegal immigration.
References
Farnam, J. (2005). US immigration laws under the threat of terrorism. New York: Algora Publ.
Graham, O. L. (2008). Immigration reform and America's unchosen future. Bloomington, IN: Author House.
LeMay, M. C. (2006). Guarding the gates: Immigration and national security. Westport, Conn. [u.a.: Praeger Security International.
Newton, L. (2008). Illegal, alien, or immigrant: The politics of immigration reform. New York: New York Univ. Press.
Rachbauer, M. (2008).Immigration policy in the USA. New York: GRIN Verlag.
Rosenblum, M. (2011). US immigration policy since 9/11: Understanding the stalemate over comprehensive immigration reform. Migration Policy Institute. Retrieved from: http://www.migrationpolicy.org/pubs/RMSG-post-9-11policy.pdf
Vita, C., & Ervin, L. (2012).Latino organizations and immigration integration in the Washington, DC, region. Research in the race and ethnic relations, 17, 155-180.
West, D. M., & Brookings Institution. (2010). Brain gain: Rethinking U.S. immigration policy. Washington, D.C: Brookings Institution Press.
