Running head: IMMIGRATION ISSUES OF AMERICA

Immigration Issues of America

Kevelin Sosa
RWS 1301
Brenda Gallardo
October 25, 2015

Abstract

IMMIGRATION ISSUES OF AMERICA

The issue of immigration is a nation wide, if not, world wide problem
that affects everyone. It was a topic that I wanted to go deep into because
there are always issues in regard to illegal immigration. This paper explores
the risks taken by the immigrants to cross the border. I will argue about the
laws and regulations that have been been passed or are in process due to
this issue. It contributes on the debates of politics, if they are for it or against
it, specially now that presidential elections are so close. This study was
conducted on the statistics of who makes up the majority of illegal
immigrants and where the majority of them are settled.

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Introduction
Immigration is a world wide issue that practically affects everyone in
either a positively or negatively. People migrate into this country because of
push factors that led people and their children to leave their country. They
are trying to find better life opportunities but people in America have not
been very understandable and generous. They started seeing immigrants as
a threat because they where taking away their jobs. That was what has led
to new laws and regulations to keep immigrants from coming into America.
Even though the United States border is more secure than ever, immigrants
are still trying to cross the border illegally, but it is not as easy anymore and
they are taking risks that could take their life away. It is an issue that
politicians come across in their political debate and it is a discussion that
everyone looks forward to. People are triggered to see what each candidate
has to offer towards illegal immigration and what can be done to solve this
issue.
Who Makes Up the Majority of the Illegal Immigration?
The United States is formed by immigrants from all over the world, and
the numbers are increasing year by year. Even though the number has
declined since 2007, Mexicans are the largest number of illegal immigrants
in this country, making up more than half of the undocumented immigrants.
The other half of the immigrants migrate mostly from Asia and Latin
America. Krogstad (2015) stated, immigrants have established themselves
all over the 50 states but the most populated areas with immigrants are

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California, Texas, Florida, New York, New Jersey and Illinois. According to
Casselman (2014), A 2006 Pew Study found that 40 percent to 50 percent of
unauthorized immigrants entered the country legally and never left, as
opposed to crossing the border illegally. They come into this country looking
for a job, for an opportunity to better their lives for themselves and their
families. According to Casselman (2014), 65 percent of these illegal
immigrants have a job making it a higher percentage than the whole
population of the United States. Krogstad (2015) stated that, approximately 7
percent of K-12 students have an illegal parent and 79 percent of these
students where born in the United States. Obama said in a speech at a
school in Nevada, the courage of students who, except for their
circumstance of their birth, are as American as Malia or Sasha; students who
bravely come out as undocumented in hopes they could make a difference in
the country they love.

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What Are the Risk of Crossing the Border Illegally?

When immigrants cross the border illegally they underestimate the
consequences they could face and the dangerous environment. Most
immigrants still continue to cross the border even after all these risks
because they want to reach their dream or die trying. Stated by Flakus
(2014), Approximately 6,000 people have died crossing the border illegally
from Mexico. Smugglers are a big reason for this because they get paid to
help cross the people, but once theyve cross the river, they are on their
own. People do not know their way around, they find little or no water, the

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weather is extremely hot during the day and very cold during the night and
to add on to that there are dangerous creatures. Lately, children have been
crossing the border alone, and there has been cases where they get robbed
and abused. Peter Bidegain, a Border Patrol spokesman said, A lot of times
when you ask them about their journey, they start to cry. It is very emotional:
it is emotional for agents; it is emotional for the kids.
What Kinds of Laws and Regulations Are Being Created that Impact
the Issue of Illegal Immigration?
Everyone living in the United States are immigrants or slaves, with the
exception of Native Americans. According to the EBSCO Host connection,
since the late 17th century, 75 percent of the American population are foreign
born. Immigrants started coming to this country when the United States
government opened immigration for them to settle in as much territory as
possible. Which led to States passing their own immigration regulations
following with the Civil War. According to EBSCO Host connection,
naturalization Act was passed in 1790 to limited immigration to people of
European and Caucasian descent. Then on 1882, the Chine Exclusion Act was
passed making Chinese immigration illegal, but repealed by Magnuson Act
on 1943. Here and there regulations and laws would be passed but it was not
until September 11, 2001 that caused the American public to control illegal
immigration and national security. According to Hesson (2012), President
Bush passed the Homeland Security Act in 2002 to keep the United States
safe from future terrorist attacks. He also stated how deportations increased

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dramatically after September 11, almost doubling the number of
deportations. It was not until December 8, 2010 when the Dream Act was
passed by the House of Representatives, that would then open opportunities
for young undocumented Americans, stated by Wolgin (2013). It is an
opportunity for undocumented immigrants to serve in the United States
armed forces or to pursue a higher education. It would not only benefit them
but our economy, our security, and our nation.
How are Politics Involved with the Issue of Illegal Immigration?
Illegal immigration has always been an issue when it comes to the
elections, but this years election will be the first in which illegal immigration
is a national issue. Theres always a split between the two parties when it
comes to the illegal immigration issue. According to TPI Writer, Donald Trump
has specified on 5 ideas on how to secure the border; Build a fence, deploy
25,000 additional border agents, utilize predator drones; enforce immigration
law; no more cozy detention centers; oppose Dream Act; and no future
tuition benefits. On the other hand, Clinton the Democratic frontrunner for
President said she would like to see immigrants have a path to citizenship.
According to a Hillary Clinton Journal, Hillary is advocating for, a fair and just
immigration system, comprehensive immigration reforms, defending
executive actions, and conducting humane, common-sense enforcement.
Hillary Clinton stated, I will always stand with the Latino community on
immigration and job creation. Education and environmental protection.
Because when we stand together against those who would seek to divide us,

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and fight together against those who would seek to take us backwards, and
when we make our communities and out families strong, we make America
strong.
Conclusion
The immigration system is broken in America. There have been actions
after actions to try and enforce immigration issues. It has been a political
debate for decades over the United States labor demands and border
security concerns. President Obama said, We didnt raise the statue of
Liberty with her back to the world, we did it with her light shining as a
beacon to the world. And whether we were Irish or Italians or Germans
crossing the Atlantic, or Japanese or Chinese crossing the Pacific; whether we
crossed the Rio Grande or flew here from all over the world, generations of
immigrants have made this country into what it is. Its what makes us
special.

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Barrera, J. (2015, Sep 17) Hillary Clinton Pledges to Support Immigration

Reform on her
Presidential Campaign. Latin Times. Retrieved from
http://www.latintimes.com/hillary-clinton-pledges-support-immigrationreform-her-presidential-campaign-340941
Casselman, B. (2014, Nov 21). Undocumented Immigrants Arent Who You
Think They Are.
Retrieved from http://fivethirtyeight.com/datalab/undocumentedimmigrants-arent-who-you-think-they-are/
Ceneta, M. B. (2014, Oct 23). The Facts On Immigration Today. Center for
American
progress. Retrieved from
https://www.americanprogress.org/issues/immigration/report/2014/10/2
3/59040/the-facts-on-immigration-today-3/
Flakus, G. (2014, Aug 6). Illegal Immigrants Face Danger in Hot Texas Border
Region. Voice of
America. Retrieved from http://www.voanews.com/content/illegalimmigrants-face-danger-hot-texas-border-region/1973355.html
Hesson, T. (2012, Sep 11). Five Ways Immigration System Changed After
9/11. abc News.
Retrieved from http://abcnews.go.com/ABC_Univision/News/waysimmigration-system-changed-911/story?id=17231590

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Krogstad, J. M. (2015, Jul 24). 5 Facts About Illegal Immigration in the U.S.
Pew Research
Center. Retrieved from http://www.pewresearch.org/facttank/2015/07/24/5-facts-about-illegal-immigration-in-the-u-s/
TPI Writer. BOOM: Donald Trump Announces 5-Point Plan about ILLEGAL
IMMIGRATION! The Political Insider. Retrieved from
http://www.thepoliticalinsider.com/boom-donald-trump-announces-5point-plan-about-illegal-immigration/

Wolgin, P. E. (2013, Jul 24). 5 Major Immigration Laws that the House Passed
in an Election Year. Center for American Progress. Retrieved from
https://www.americanprogress.org/issues/immigration/news/2014/01/0
9/81849/5-major-immigration-laws-that-the-house-passed-in-anelection-year/