America has forever been known as “the melting pot”. There is no one type of race or religion. Everyone comes from a different background and brings different ideals with them. This is how America came to be in the first place. We have the right to express ourselves in any way we want, and chances are no one will ever be alone. Throughout time, traditions change and mold into something different because of the combinations of several other traditions. Families can come here without fearing that a government will be controlling their every move. Essentially, they come here looking for a better tomorrow.
The United States is primarily known for their safer environments. Yes, there are some places that are better than others, but compared to other countries, the U.S. takes more of a stance on keeping the environment safe. Along with safety, laws were put in place to provide every child with education and a place to go home to every night. There is a major problem with leaving no child behind when it comes to education. Research shows that “The total K-12 school expenditure for illegal immigrants costs the states $7.4 billion annually—enough to buy a computer for every junior high student nationwide” (Colorado Alliance for Immigration Reform). Tax payers can revoke the law that allows illegal immigrants to receive education if it becomes more costly or there becomes a confliction of education to legit students.
After completing school, it’s time to face the real world. Though the job market may not seem very promising at this moment, the opportunity to find work in numerous different fields is. Employers, currently, are always looking for cheap work. Illegal immigrants are who they look for. This may seem stereotypical, but here is what happens. These illegal workers are receiving a wage “under the table”, which is usually less than minimum wage, without taxation, and the employer doesn’t have to document this. Somehow, it seems like every one wins. Wrong. The economy would see a $1.5 trillion growth over the next ten years according to an article written by the U.S. government. Somehow, though, this extra money doesn’t seem to want to make the government revise immigration laws.
The idea of living in America is so promising; however, families and individuals are taking for granite our freedoms by coming here without gaining citizenship. According to the U.S. government, before President Obama was officially elected into office, he emphasized his plan to change the lives of 12 million illegal immigrants. He feels that controlling immigration should be driven by the working American, and the state of the economy. However, health care took over Obama’s priorities. Obama received help changing the future of immigration from activist Edward M. Kennedy, but after he passed away, laws remained at a standstill. Most feel that immigration should wait even longer due to the current state of the economy. Numerous, mostly Hispanic protestors, and immigrants, have been flooding city streets, waving not just our flag, but the flag of their own nation, demanding to better recognized and treated. Americans feel that this is a takeover of our country.
To add to the problem, borders have now become new war zones. For example, crossing over to Mexico for a day then returning used to be decently safe and also enjoyable, requiring only a sate ID. But because families are now “jumping borders” to get into the country, Mexico isn’t as easily accessed and a passport is required. According to an article written by journalist Roman Joch, Arizona has recently adopted newer and stricter laws regarding bored patrol.
The Obama administration had filed a law suit against the state, but winning seems highly unlikely for them. Arizona isn’t the only state dealing with the consequences of illegal immigrants. According to Urban Institute, illegal immigrates have had a decent amount of contribution to violent crimes being committed. Most crimes committed by illegal immigrants upon other illegal immigrants go unreported due to the fact that they will be caught and deported. The cost of arresting, prosecuting, and sentencing these illegal immigrants have become extremely high. Some states are even filing suit against the federal government demanding to be reimbursed these costs.
However, the government agrees that a good way to reduce illegal immigration from Mexico is to build fences. These 10-foot-high fences would take up hundreds of miles of southern borders, including the state lines of Arizona, New Mexico, and California. This idea is known as the Minuteman Project, which is a group of volunteered citizens, who take it upon themselves to protect the southern borders. The United States wants families to live here and flourish our nation, but without becoming naturalized, this country becomes weaker.
Though many citizens focus on the bad things that illegal immigration has caused, there is certainly a lot of good. The book Immigration in the United States, edited by William Dvorack, sheds a light on how immigration has changed the way this country looks at the world. There is a specific chapter focused mainly on what immigration has actually brought to the America. Every culture that has made this country their home brings something new to the table. Within the chapter, Hilary Chura wrote an article about a marketer’s heaven. The amounts of different products that can be advertised are astronomical. All of these different cultures and ideals have made it possible to advertise American products in different countries, with the ability to gain attention. The amount of international marketing is amazing. Marketers are embracing the “mish mash” of cultures because of the positive influence it has. Along with out sourcing American products, we are also able to bring in new products. Not only are we accommodating to our immigrants, but opening up the minds of those who have never experience anything beyond a hamburger. We should be using this diversity to our advantage and learn all we can. The beauty of America is the fact that we don’t have to travel across the world to experience a completely different culture. Immigration made this possible. We couldn’t call ourselves a melting pot if we ignore the different ethnicities that live here.
The idea of living in America and sharing new ideas to everyone is very rewarding. It is probably just as rewarding as becoming a naturalized citizen. Ask someone who has gone through the process, just like I did. Maria Ramirez, a naturalized citizen, came here at a young age, but was able to successfully go through the immigration process and obtain all the privileges the rest of the country has. Ramirez explained that “at first it was scary moving to a completely different country. Literally no one knows you. But in the end, it was all worth it. I have gained so much, along with my brother and sister.” In the article “America Doesn’t Need Crusades”, by immigrant Zakaria, this process is explicitly told. He sat alongside nearly 2,000 others in a Brooklyn auditorium, listening to introductory speeches in every language imaginable. They gave their oath and were granted their citizenship. The moment in which you take oath and become a citizen is exciting and true pinnacle of moving here. Afterwards, they were greeted outside with a New York Street fair and several booths advertising everything the city had to offer their citizens. Zakaria does acknowledge how he doesn’t feel any different as a citizen, for he had been studying here for several years, but he felt welcomed in America, just like Ramirez. America represents the future for just about everyone who enters. Ramirez states that “living in American is very rewarding. Once school is completed, I can move about the country and become anything I want” (Maria Ramirez). It is clear that other countries look up to us. We are expected to do something greater than ourselves.
Those who have lived here our whole life seem to stay focused on our important past, while these new American citizens are coming up with new and creative ways to live in the future. It is the legal immigrants who gain a voice in this country. There is always something to be learned and something to be changed. If we only stayed close minded and didn’t accept the views of others, American wouldn’t be the great country it is today. Illegal immigration is lawfully wrong, but to play devil’s advocate, America was built by founding fathers who emigrated here. However, as time goes on, this country developed into something bigger. Our nation is plenty populated, and with an economy that is spiraling downwards, we cannot afford to be hiding people in our system. This all began in 1965 when we stopped favoring European countries, and opened up the opportunity from immigration to the United States for all nations. According to Immigration in the United States, from 1965 to 2007, America accepted more than 40,000,000 immigrants. Most of these immigrants came from struggling third world countries. Our biggest concern is the Mexican border. By 2001, almost 9% of the Mexican population migrated to the United States. Many people have the conception that Mexico has the high right of immigration to the United States, but as a matter of fact, they are number 13 (Canada being number 1) according to the book. Though several Mexican immigrants are doing their part and either renewing their green card or becoming a citizen, there is a great deal who are not. Turning the tables though, a large portion of illegal immigrants have decided to live in Canada. Most are from Asia, but the Latin community is started to follow the trend as well.
What exactly is pushing all of these different communities of immigrants into the United States in the first place? A chapter in the frequently mentioned book, Immigration in the United States, a journalist went to Mexico to meet with colleagues to discuss worldly problems. The conversation turned into the issue of the U.S. immigration reform. Mexican president Felipe Calderon was recently protesting the 700 mile long wall the Bush Administration had been talking about. This wall would be costing the U.S. up to $7 million. However, many Mexican citizens would agree with the construction of this fence. It would cause the Mexican government to actually confront their problems, rather than having their citizens run away from them. America is known for wanting to create a comfortable and safe life for their citizens. Though some may not live that way completely, immigrants see this as an opportunity to thrive, even if it’s not in their mother country. Many third world country citizens pick up and leave everything behind to remove themselves from their unstable government. Unfortunately, losing citizens isn’t enough for the government to change. We accept these families with open arms, so isn’t it only fair for them to do their part if we do theirs? America only wants to remain the safe haven it is today. Whether we’re fighting away illegal immigrants on border fronts, or deporting those who don’t belong, Americans lose their good name by showing force against immigrants.
Two hundred years have passed since the first arrival of immigrants, yet the United States still doesn’t have an answer to the question of illegal immigration. All of those who call the U.S. their home are immigrants. Since the birth of this country, immigration has been the incentive for political and social evolution. Even though every new arrival brought about some sort of judgment and animosity from native born Americans, these immigrants molded themselves into the gradually increasing multicultural society we live in today. The constant need for jobs and settlement to keep the economy strong will continue the incoming of immigrants. Blood was shed by true American citizens in our history, and current state of being. Our fight for becoming free and staying free is never forgotten. This is why Americans’ truly value everything we have earned and those coming here and taking it away should be punished. There is no right or wrong answer, it seems, to immigration. No legislature, court house, or individual has a respectable way to deal with illegal immigration. However, the United States has not fully given their attention this issue deserves. If Americans’ can come together as a nation and solve this problem, the overall future of this country will only look stronger and brighter.
