The purpose of this research is analyze the reaction and general perception of the proposed media announcement on the legalization of all illegal individuals that can prove that they have been residing in the country for the past 20 years and consequent grant of the U.S. citizenship given that these individuals did not commit any crimes for the period of 5 years after legalization. The analysis used closed-question survey, suggesting to talk in favor or against of the governmental proposal. The survey was conducted among randomly selected sample of twenty individuals. The survey was completed in full by all the participants. The summary of the sample is the following:
- 40/60% split between male and female participants.
- 20% of the sample is represented by Asian race, 40% are white and 40% are black respondents.
- Age range of the selected sample is between 19 and 25 years old. Sample summary is represented by 25%, 65% and 10% split between respondents under 19 years old, between 20 and 24 years old and older than 25 years old respectively.
- Education split between 20 respondents is 80/20 for college graduates and Bachelor degree students.
The purpose of the survey is to see if there is any dependence of respondents´ reply on the following 4 variables: age, race, educational level and gender. The findings disclose overall low dependency of the majority of indicators insignificance of the majority of the criteria, as shown on the Graphics 1-4 (Appendix 1). One of the major sensibilities was outlined in the gender variable that can have potential influence on the trend of opinion on the question. The presented sample, however, is not viable for further conclusions due to the change in the survey universe that for the analysis of gender role. Given the above arguments, it is not possible to find a correlation between the presented variables and opinion of young immigrants on the proposal.
Discussion of the Proposal
The U.S. is the multinational country that has been experiencing a flow of immigrants for centuries. The nature of this immigration is in the majority of cases determined by the social and financial benefits that these individuals seeking in the U.S. and, therefore, in their majority represented by the nationals of developing and underdeveloped countries. This, in turn, explains the fact that great part of immigrants came and remains illegal in the U.S. for years.
The reality is that these people often managed to find job and build their life in the country for decades. While new immigrants are subject to the U.S. Immigration Law regulations, some of the specific cases, based on the age of the immigration make it necessary to question both, legal and ethical base of the immigration regulations. It is important to mention that this work does not suggest that illegal immigration is a benefit, neither that governmental regulations on this subject should be loosened. It does, however, propose the measures that will bring benefits to both sides, people who have been contributing to the U.S. economy for significant period and the government that does not have, at the moment, full control over these people in taxation and legal systems.
With the above in mind, it is interesting to look at the most critical topics that are on the agenda of the immigration committees and society in general. First of all, a arguments in favor of immigration is the impact that it has the enrichment of the culture and talent inflow to the country. Diversification of social and economic picture of the country through cultural and professional mix could serve as a great asset to the U.S. in case it is managed in organized and transparent manner. Secondly, there are a number of jobs, created by the imperfections of the economy that are not appreciated by the U.S. citizens due to the pay-work balance. These jobs are often occupied by immigrants. Some supporters of immigration claim that this is the only way to fulfill the positions that otherwise would not be taken.
On the other side of the discussion are those, who see illegal immigrants as a strong element that endangered national security. It is difficult to argue that failure in control over the population an, consequent inability to apply restrictive and punishment measures over individuals that reside in the country illegally adversely affect the effectiveness of national security and make the country volatile to terrorism, criminality and other illegal activities. Moreover, this situation affects not only the U.S. itself, but other countries that have economic, political or cultural contact with the United States. National Security is a cell of the complex structure of international security measures and failure of one of the international players to provide high level transparency in national data can result in international threats.
As a matter of fact, the standpoint from which one chooses to look at the immigration issues will always depend on where this individual stand relative to the issue and how one or another decision will affect him or her personally. Thus, it is difficult to drive strong conclusions or argue exclusively in favor of one or another side.
The purpose of this analysis is to attempt analyzing the proposal and find alternative or complementary solution to resolve this immigration issue. The writer believes that such wide and generalized approach to the legalization of the immigration is, probably, immature in view of threats and lack of understanding of lifestyle and social contribution that immigrants made to the country.
With the above in mind, it is possible to think about several solutions that would help to reduce illegal immigration and bring more control over the issues concerning illegal aliens and their naturalization in the country. First of all, naturalization of all the illegal immigrants that lived in the U.S. for twenty years will not bring the solution as this approach lacks the criteria that allows to future control. It is however a viable solution to provide this people with legal status in the country and the right to work and contribute towards taxes, receiving respective benefits. Secondly, finding solution for more settled immigrant will leave newer immigration waves without attention and, thus, will only offer partial solution to the problem. Given that, it would be more reasonable to set specific criteria, such as proof of stable employment and residence for certain period of time, to be able to receive work permit and legal documentation. The fact is that all these people with 20 or 2 years immigration history are already leaving in the country and being a part of the society, the faster they integrate the healthier will be their contribution to the society. Such approach to legalization of the immigrants, being strictly retrospective, will allow setting up minimum criteria that can bring illegal immigration on a different level.
Appendix 1
Graphic 1 - Race
Graphic 2 - Gender
Graphic 3 - Education
Graphic 4 - Age range
Appendix 2
Respondent # 1
Survey
the blank questions and two multiple choice questions. For the multiple choice
questions, please circle the answer choice of your choice.
- Age?
20
- Gender?
- Male
- Female
- Race?
- White
- Black
- Hispanic
- Asian
- Other: _______________
- Highest Education level?
Hypothetically speaking, on Dec 15, 2013, our country wants to make an official announcement on national media sources that ALL people who can prove that they have lived in the U.S. illegally for the last 20 years will be receiving their permanent national ID card which will entitle them to work and live in the U.S. IF they do not commit any crimes for a period of 5 years after the I.D. is given, they will then be granted U.S. citizenship.
- Would you vote for this new law?
- Yes
- No
Respondent # 2
Survey
the blank questions and two multiple choice questions. For the multiple choice
questions, please circle the answer choice of your choice.
- Age?
20
- Gender?
- Male
- Female
- Race?
- White
- Black
- Hispanic
- Asian
- Other: _______________
- Highest Education level?
Hypothetically speaking, on Dec 15, 2013, our country wants to make an official announcement on national media sources that ALL people who can prove that they have lived in the U.S. illegally for the last 20 years will be receiving their permanent national ID card which will entitle them to work and live in the U.S. IF they do not commit any crimes for a period of 5 years after the I.D. is given, they will then be granted U.S. citizenship.
- Would you vote for this new law?
- Yes
- No
Respondent # 3
Survey
the blank questions and two multiple choice questions. For the multiple choice
questions, please circle the answer choice of your choice.
- Age?
20
- Gender?
- Male
- Female
- Race?
- White
- Black
- Hispanic
- Asian
- Other: _______________
- Highest Education level?
Hypothetically speaking, on Dec 15, 2013, our country wants to make an official announcement on national media sources that ALL people who can prove that they have lived in the U.S. illegally for the last 20 years will be receiving their permanent national ID card which will entitle them to work and live in the U.S. IF they do not commit any crimes for a period of 5 years after the I.D. is given, they will then be granted U.S. citizenship.
- Would you vote for this new law?
- Yes
- No
Respondent # 4
Survey
the blank questions and two multiple choice questions. For the multiple choice
questions, please circle the answer choice of your choice.
- Age?
20
- Gender?
- Male
- Female
- Race?
- White
- Black
- Hispanic
- Asian
- Other: _______________
- Highest Education level?
Hypothetically speaking, on Dec 15, 2013, our country wants to make an official announcement on national media sources that ALL people who can prove that they have lived in the U.S. illegally for the last 20 years will be receiving their permanent national ID card which will entitle them to work and live in the U.S. IF they do not commit any crimes for a period of 5 years after the I.D. is given, they will then be granted U.S. citizenship.
- Would you vote for this new law?
- Yes
- No
Respondent # 5
Survey
the blank questions and two multiple choice questions. For the multiple choice
questions, please circle the answer choice of your choice.
- Age?
20
- Gender?
- Male
- Female
- Race?
- White
- Black
- Hispanic
- Asian
- Other: _______________
- Highest Education level?
Hypothetically speaking, on Dec 15, 2013, our country wants to make an official announcement on national media sources that ALL people who can prove that they have lived in the U.S. illegally for the last 20 years will be receiving their permanent national ID card which will entitle them to work and live in the U.S. IF they do not commit any crimes for a period of 5 years after the I.D. is given, they will then be granted U.S. citizenship.
- Would you vote for this new law?
- Yes
- No
Respondent # 6
Survey
the blank questions and two multiple choice questions. For the multiple choice
questions, please circle the answer choice of your choice.
- Age?
20
- Gender?
- Male
- Female
- Race?
- White
- Black
- Hispanic
- Asian
- Other: _______________
- Highest Education level?
Hypothetically speaking, on Dec 15, 2013, our country wants to make an official announcement on national media sources that ALL people who can prove that they have lived in the U.S. illegally for the last 20 years will be receiving their permanent national ID card which will entitle them to work and live in the U.S. IF they do not commit any crimes for a period of 5 years after the I.D. is given, they will then be granted U.S. citizenship.
- Would you vote for this new law?
- Yes
- No
Respondent # 7
Survey
the blank questions and two multiple choice questions. For the multiple choice
questions, please circle the answer choice of your choice.
- Age?
20
- Gender?
- Male
- Female
- Race?
- White
- Black
- Hispanic
- Asian
- Other: _______________
- Highest Education level?
Hypothetically speaking, on Dec 15, 2013, our country wants to make an official announcement on national media sources that ALL people who can prove that they have lived in the U.S. illegally for the last 20 years will be receiving their permanent national ID card which will entitle them to work and live in the U.S. IF they do not commit any crimes for a period of 5 years after the I.D. is given, they will then be granted U.S. citizenship.
- Would you vote for this new law?
- Yes
- No
Respondent # 8
Survey
the blank questions and two multiple choice questions. For the multiple choice
questions, please circle the answer choice of your choice.
- Age?
20
- Gender?
- Male
- Female
- Race?
- White
- Black
- Hispanic
- Asian
- Other: _______________
- Highest Education level?
Hypothetically speaking, on Dec 15, 2013, our country wants to make an official announcement on national media sources that ALL people who can prove that they have lived in the U.S. illegally for the last 20 years will be receiving their permanent national ID card which will entitle them to work and live in the U.S. IF they do not commit any crimes for a period of 5 years after the I.D. is given, they will then be granted U.S. citizenship.
- Would you vote for this new law?
- Yes
- No
Respondent # 9
Survey
the blank questions and two multiple choice questions. For the multiple choice
questions, please circle the answer choice of your choice.
- Age?
25
- Gender?
- Male
- Female
- Race?
- White
- Black
- Hispanic
- Asian
- Other: _______________
- Highest Education level?
Hypothetically speaking, on Dec 15, 2013, our country wants to make an official announcement on national media sources that ALL people who can prove that they have lived in the U.S. illegally for the last 20 years will be receiving their permanent national ID card which will entitle them to work and live in the U.S. IF they do not commit any crimes for a period of 5 years after the I.D. is given, they will then be granted U.S. citizenship.
- Would you vote for this new law?
- Yes
- No
Respondent # 10
Survey
the blank questions and two multiple choice questions. For the multiple choice
questions, please circle the answer choice of your choice.
- Age?
25
- Gender?
- Male
- Female
- Race?
- White
- Black
- Hispanic
- Asian
- Other: _______________
- Highest Education level?
Hypothetically speaking, on Dec 15, 2013, our country wants to make an official announcement on national media sources that ALL people who can prove that they have lived in the U.S. illegally for the last 20 years will be receiving their permanent national ID card which will entitle them to work and live in the U.S. IF they do not commit any crimes for a period of 5 years after the I.D. is given, they will then be granted U.S. citizenship.
- Would you vote for this new law?
- Yes
- No
Respondent # 11
Survey
the blank questions and two multiple choice questions. For the multiple choice
questions, please circle the answer choice of your choice.
- Age?
19
- Gender?
- Male
- Female
- Race?
- White
- Black
- Hispanic
- Asian
- Other: _______________
- Highest Education level?
Hypothetically speaking, on Dec 15, 2013, our country wants to make an official announcement on national media sources that ALL people who can prove that they have lived in the U.S. illegally for the last 20 years will be receiving their permanent national ID card which will entitle them to work and live in the U.S. IF they do not commit any crimes for a period of 5 years after the I.D. is given, they will then be granted U.S. citizenship.
- Would you vote for this new law?
- Yes
- No
Respondent # 12
Survey
the blank questions and two multiple choice questions. For the multiple choice
questions, please circle the answer choice of your choice.
- Age?
19
- Gender?
- Male
- Female
- Race?
- White
- Black
- Hispanic
- Asian
- Other: _______________
- Highest Education level?
Hypothetically speaking, on Dec 15, 2013, our country wants to make an official announcement on national media sources that ALL people who can prove that they have lived in the U.S. illegally for the last 20 years will be receiving their permanent national ID card which will entitle them to work and live in the U.S. IF they do not commit any crimes for a period of 5 years after the I.D. is given, they will then be granted U.S. citizenship.
- Would you vote for this new law?
- Yes
- No
Respondent # 13
Survey
the blank questions and two multiple choice questions. For the multiple choice
questions, please circle the answer choice of your choice.
- Age?
19
- Gender?
- Male
- Female
- Race?
- White
- Black
- Hispanic
- Asian
- Other: _______________
- Highest Education level?
Hypothetically speaking, on Dec 15, 2013, our country wants to make an official announcement on national media sources that ALL people who can prove that they have lived in the U.S. illegally for the last 20 years will be receiving their permanent national ID card which will entitle them to work and live in the U.S. IF they do not commit any crimes for a period of 5 years after the I.D. is given, they will then be granted U.S. citizenship.
- Would you vote for this new law?
- Yes
- No
Respondent # 14
Survey
the blank questions and two multiple choice questions. For the multiple choice
questions, please circle the answer choice of your choice.
- Age?
19
- Gender?
- Male
- Female
- Race?
- White
- Black
- Hispanic
- Asian
- Other: _______________
- Highest Education level?
Hypothetically speaking, on Dec 15, 2013, our country wants to make an official announcement on national media sources that ALL people who can prove that they have lived in the U.S. illegally for the last 20 years will be receiving their permanent national ID card which will entitle them to work and live in the U.S. IF they do not commit any crimes for a period of 5 years after the I.D. is given, they will then be granted U.S. citizenship.
- Would you vote for this new law?
- Yes
- No
Respondent # 15
Survey
the blank questions and two multiple choice questions. For the multiple choice
questions, please circle the answer choice of your choice.
- Age?
19
- Gender?
- Male
- Female
- Race?
- White
- Black
- Hispanic
- Asian
- Other: _______________
- Highest Education level?
Hypothetically speaking, on Dec 15, 2013, our country wants to make an official announcement on national media sources that ALL people who can prove that they have lived in the U.S. illegally for the last 20 years will be receiving their permanent national ID card which will entitle them to work and live in the U.S. IF they do not commit any crimes for a period of 5 years after the I.D. is given, they will then be granted U.S. citizenship.
- Would you vote for this new law?
- Yes
- No
Respondent # 16
Survey
the blank questions and two multiple choice questions. For the multiple choice
questions, please circle the answer choice of your choice.
- Age?
21
- Gender?
- Male
- Female
- Race?
- White
- Black
- Hispanic
- Asian
- Other: _______________
- Highest Education level?
Hypothetically speaking, on Dec 15, 2013, our country wants to make an official announcement on national media sources that ALL people who can prove that they have lived in the U.S. illegally for the last 20 years will be receiving their permanent national ID card which will entitle them to work and live in the U.S. IF they do not commit any crimes for a period of 5 years after the I.D. is given, they will then be granted U.S. citizenship.
- Would you vote for this new law?
- Yes
- No
Respondent # 17
Survey
the blank questions and two multiple choice questions. For the multiple choice
questions, please circle the answer choice of your choice.
- Age?
21
- Gender?
- Male
- Female
- Race?
- White
- Black
- Hispanic
- Asian
- Other: _______________
- Highest Education level?
Hypothetically speaking, on Dec 15, 2013, our country wants to make an official announcement on national media sources that ALL people who can prove that they have lived in the U.S. illegally for the last 20 years will be receiving their permanent national ID card which will entitle them to work and live in the U.S. IF they do not commit any crimes for a period of 5 years after the I.D. is given, they will then be granted U.S. citizenship.
- Would you vote for this new law?
- Yes
- No
Respondent # 18
Survey
the blank questions and two multiple choice questions. For the multiple choice
questions, please circle the answer choice of your choice.
- Age?
21
- Gender?
- Male
- Female
- Race?
- White
- Black
- Hispanic
- Asian
- Other: _______________
- Highest Education level?
Hypothetically speaking, on Dec 15, 2013, our country wants to make an official announcement on national media sources that ALL people who can prove that they have lived in the U.S. illegally for the last 20 years will be receiving their permanent national ID card which will entitle them to work and live in the U.S. IF they do not commit any crimes for a period of 5 years after the I.D. is given, they will then be granted U.S. citizenship.
- Would you vote for this new law?
- Yes
- No
Respondent # 19
Survey
the blank questions and two multiple choice questions. For the multiple choice
questions, please circle the answer choice of your choice.
- Age?
21
- Gender?
- Male
- Female
- Race?
- White
- Black
- Hispanic
- Asian
- Other: _______________
- Highest Education level?
Hypothetically speaking, on Dec 15, 2013, our country wants to make an official announcement on national media sources that ALL people who can prove that they have lived in the U.S. illegally for the last 20 years will be receiving their permanent national ID card which will entitle them to work and live in the U.S. IF they do not commit any crimes for a period of 5 years after the I.D. is given, they will then be granted U.S. citizenship.
- Would you vote for this new law?
- Yes
- No
Respondent # 20
Survey
the blank questions and two multiple choice questions. For the multiple choice
questions, please circle the answer choice of your choice.
- Age?
21
- Gender?
- Male
- Female
- Race?
- White
- Black
- Hispanic
- Asian
- Other: _______________
- Highest Education level?
Hypothetically speaking, on Dec 15, 2013, our country wants to make an official announcement on national media sources that ALL people who can prove that they have lived in the U.S. illegally for the last 20 years will be receiving their permanent national ID card which will entitle them to work and live in the U.S. IF they do not commit any crimes for a period of 5 years after the I.D. is given, they will then be granted U.S. citizenship.
- Would you vote for this new law?
- Yes
- No
