I think the big news in our world today is the immigration issue this great nation has. I've heard both sides of it, “send them back” or “let them stay”. Most of the time these arguments between the two sides are heated, confrontational and rarely is any valid point heard. So lets try to listen to the facts of the issue.
Is it the federal government's job to keep the borders secure. If Canada decided one day to send it's army over the border and attack our nation, whose job is it to stop the invading army? The United States military would stop the invasion. The state, county and city governments would stand proudly along side and fight. The American spirit would not allow failure. I understand immigrants are not an organized invading army. I understand there are those who wish to pursue a better life, and I applaud them for it. I believe those who really want to achieve the “American Dream” will. I believe those that come to this country through the proper channels should be afforded every opportunity to gain citizenship, but that is not reality. The reality is, there are millions of undocumented immigrants who are in this country and many more trying to get into this country everyday. It is considered a crime, a federal felony, to enter this country illegally. It is our federal government's responsibility to follow through with the laws we have created. Just like many of the original immigrants from Europe stood in long lines to enter this country through proper means, so should the immigrants of today.
Today so many immigrants, the majority of which come from Mexico, are being afforded free health care at the expense of the American tax payers. I, for one, have no problem affording this luxury to immigrants who come into this country legally. When our country is already in debt, mostly due to the war in the middle east, why should we elevate the debt even more with the strain of health care for individuals who are not even citizens of this great United States.
As pointed out in "Immigration is the issue of the day," illegal immigration has risen sharply in recent years. However, I disagree with some of the points made in this article.
ReplyDeleteFirst, the onslaught of immigrants is likened to an "invading army." The objective of an invading army is to cause destruction in their target areas; immigrants do not share this goal. Most immigrants actually contribute to their new societies in a positive manner, playing a critical role in the function of the local economy. Most undocumented workers take lower-paying "working jobs," performing many functions that often go unnoticed by the public. For instance, many work in public service occupations such as building roads or constructing houses; without such workers, the metropolitan life as we know it would not be possible.
Second, the article suggests that immigrants should enter the US "through proper means," by waiting in line at an immigration office rather than by sneaking in to the country. However, this is not an option for everyone. People who are looking to migrate to the United States often come from difficult lives from which they would like to escape; many have no money of which to speak. The cost of applying for a visa and the fees associated with getting one exceed the means of many who desire a chance to make a decent life for themselves in the US. Immigration issues are far more complex than simply lacking a desire to wait in line.
I agree that illegal immigration is a huge issue right how. However, I believe the flaw lies more with the law than with those breaking it. Laws involving immigration are far too strict. The United States was created as a land to which those facing difficulty could escape to be free: "Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness." That opportunity should not be denied to someone simply because he or she was born outside the country. The Founding Fathers, men who so valued the equality of all men, would be ashamed to see how modern America treats its immigrants.