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Aleyah Casias

Hughes
English 1101
2016

April 24,
America open arms or up in arms

To be for or Against? Many Americans have fought that immigrants


either help or cause harm with their presence in America. It is very easy to
see that both sides bitterly and scornfully oppose the other. The ideas
Americans have on this topic differ wildly so much so one might ask which
one is true? Some may agree that illegal workers are a threat to the
economy and steal away jobs from other people that are American citizens.
Well on the other hand others say illegal immigrants do the job others do not
want to do, pay taxes without seeing the benefits of government welfare
programs and add to the American Economy. Some Americans welcome
immigrants to American either because they themselves long ago are
descendants of immigrants or have an open mind. Other Americans are more
closed off to the idea of immigrants coming to America worrying about the
safety of themselves and their families living in fear ever since 9/11 and
recent bombings. Whichever side you take as simply put that much like crime people
everywhere seemed to be troubled by immigration (U.S. News & World Report). This makes this
topic of immigration very important and controversial to be sure.
So what do immigrants add to America? In the past immigrants were welcomed to come
to America for a new life, freedom and the hope of achieving the American dream. As well as
helping America be a better place by aiding in building the Trans American rail road. In the past

much like today the American people were up in arms about these foreign people stealing their
jobs and providing cheap labor and making a strike for more pay for the American workers
impossible. The American people have the right to be angry about injustice but the immigrants
on the other hand have the right to work to feed their families. Americans can be seen as
complainers but without seeing ones own true value better working conditions and better pay
with more benefits would not have been possible with that in mind without immigrants cheap
labor and massive numbers the Trans American rail road would not have been possible as well.
Much like today Americans live in the fear that immigrants are stealing their jobs. Many
Americans thinking How can we keep bringing people into this country when our own people
don't have jobs?" complains Clark Yates, an African-American car mechanic (U.S. News &
World Report). This thought has traveled to present day. The result when you have many willing
immigrants who will work for whatever amount often a price that is not even considered in the
minds of an American as being acceptable problems arise and a feeling of contempt as well.
Others argue that undocumented immigrants in many ways help fuel the U.S. economy, toiling
for low wages in jobssuch as physically arduous farm workthat most Americans refuse to do
(State Immigration Laws). Proof of this was seen in Alabama as produce was rotting in the fields
because a law enforcing immigration was put in place taking away the majority of the work force
(Immigration Law and Terrorism). America needs workers who are willing to work at the same
time these Americans take advantage of immigrant workers. Americans work for better working
conditions while immigrants need for any sort of income work against these goals for a better
America. Much like the immigrants who lived in the 1800s they added to America but at a price,
in the end These immigrants had initially been welcomed for their willingness to perform low-

wage manual labor, but resentment against them grew in the 1870s, once the railroad was
complete (U.S. News & World Report).
Many Immigrants in America come here for opportunity most with the thinking that they
can have a better life for themselves and their kids. We see that this is true at Jackson Memorial
Hospital in Miami treats more than 20 illegals a day, 8,000 a year. More than half are maternity
cases, and Ronald Ruppel, the chief financial officer, says pregnant women arrive at the Miami
airport and tell cab drivers: "Take me to Jackson." Their incentive: Babies born in America are
U.S. citizens (U.S. News & World Report). The problem is that immigrants give fake names
when receiving medical care never to be seen or heard from again. This leaves American tax
payers with the medical expenses of immigrants. Which leaves many tax paying Americans to
ask themselves why must I pay for their medical expenses? This causes even more problems
when the Americans asking themselves this question dont agree with immigration or want
stricter laws in place on immigrants. A republican once asked to reimburse the state for $2.4
billion it spends annually on undocumented aliens (). This staggering amount can make anyone
angry. In addition much like an older sibling must share with a younger sibling so do Americans
have to share with immigrants often waiting in the same line.
On the opposing side others argue and feel the same as Eddy Jerena, a carpenter with
roots in Sicily, jumps in angrily: "My brother, he has a business, and the Mexicans work hard for
him, 12 hours a day, and they don't complain. You get these American-born guys, they don't work
like that. This country was built by immigrants. The Mexicans deserve to be here (). People often
are hard workers if their hard work decides if they and their families have enough to make ends
meet at the end of the month. If hard work alone was a determining factor for who in America
got to stay and make a life here immigration would not be a problem. Immigrants only wish is to

have a better life here in America and get meet with challenge after challenge and fight to meet
every one. However many people dont believe that coming to America illegally should be
allowed. Once Immigrants are already here many Americans feel that citizenship should be out
of reach for all illegal immigrants. Their reasoning being why should immigrants be rewarded for
breaking American laws and be pardoned by being granted full citizenship. On the opposing side
many Immigrants pay taxes much like the American people do the only contrast is that
Undocumented immigrants, they point out, pay taxes, spur economic growth, and thus deserve
the full benefits of citizenship. They also contribute to government programs such as Social
Security, advocates note, yet are not allowed to receive benefits from such programs ().
Immigrants who pay taxes receive no help from government programs. People argue that
Immigrants who pay taxes are showing a sincere interest in abiding by the laws without
complaining about having money taken away from them that will only help the American
government who makes such government programs out of reach.
To deny the fact that the world around us is indeed changing is impossible. We as a
culture and as a country have changed since the events of 9/11 and recent news of terrorist
bombing which kill innocent people with no apparent reason than to create fear and destruction.
As an American people we mourn the lives of many lost lives especially those innocent lives lost
on 9/11 but many at the same time silently mourned the after effect. After a tragedy as a nation
we supported each other and grew stronger more unified but at the same time Americans let hate
and prejudice distance themselves from others. Muslim Americans lived in fear as America the
only country they had known turned on them. At the same time many innocent people lost their
lives, families destroyed and many firemen and policeman became heroes in their death. They
died by the hand of immigrants people from a different country coming to America with the

direct intent to harm and kill innocent people that fact is undeniable. With that we ask what does
it mean to be an American? Does it mean coming together, becoming stronger and protecting our
loved ones no matter the cost? Does it mean celebrating diversity? Many Americans range from
welcoming immigrants to fearing them which is understandable. It is important to remember one
immigrant does not speak for all however the same is true for Americans. Many people are very
opposed to immigrants but in the end the fact is Hundreds of people die each year attempting to
cross the border between the United States and Mexico, most of heatstroke or dehydration in the
treacherous deserts that separate the two countries (). Immigrants, people, die to have the
chance to come to America. These people, these immigrants pay the ultimate price. Why? There
is a certain allure to America that makes death a possible outcome worth the risk. America the
land of opportunity. In the end we are all people. With loved ones, friends, lives, hopes, dreams
and fears. With this one fact in mind there must be a way to limit the number of human lives lost.
America is a land built on immigrants to stop immigration completely would be something done
in complete ignorance and would result in America losing a vital part of its role and place in
history but to allow free immigration would result in a loss of safely and security for American
citizens and result in a burden and free pass to new immigrants when old immigrants had to work
hard both being very un-American and un acceptable. Immigrants should be allowed to come to
America but they will have certain requirements that must be met. Such as Under the Obama
plan, undocumented immigrants would have to demonstrate fluency in English, display
knowledge of American history and government, and pay back taxes, plus a small fine, to
become citizens. Those convicted of serious crimes would not be eligible for citizenship (). This
would result in America keeping its true heritage as well as keeping Americans safe. The land of
opportunity giving you as well as others the chance to have a better life.

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