Immigration and the Community Policing the Immigrant Community

¶ … immigration to the U.S. And focuses on Charlotte North Carolina. The reader is given an foundational understanding of the INS and how it operates as well as information about immigrants in the Charlotte area, both documented and non-documented. There were four sources used to complete this paper.

INS the Immigrant Police

WHAT IS THE INS?

The letters INS stand for Immigration and Naturalization Services. Its purpose is to document and legalize immigrants who come migrate to other nations to live and to work. The INS started in the 1800's when the government decided that America had a policy of immigration that was to free and to open

After certain states passed immigration laws following the Civil War, the Supreme Court in 1875 declared that regulation of immigration is a Federal responsibility. Thus, as the number of immigrants rose in the 1880s and economic conditions in some areas worsened, Congress began to issue immigration legislation. The Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882 and Alien Contract Labor laws of 1885 and 1887 prohibited certain laborers from immigrating to the United States. The more general Immigration Act of 1882 levied a head tax of fifty cents on each immigrant and blocked (or excluded) the entry of idiots, lunatics, convicts, and persons likely to become a public charge. These national immigration laws created the need for a Federal enforcement agency

Through the years many changes in the way the office was conducted took place and in 18892 the federal government began operations in New York City, a port where thousands of immigrants each year, came to America to start new lives. During periods of mass immigration the government further restricted and rewrote immigration policy and today it stands as the overseer of those who wish to live her and those who are here without permission.

It enforces the laws of immigration and investigates claims of illegal activity. It assists in criminal deportation as well as the process of asylum. While every state in the nation has influxes of immigrants the state of North Carolina has been especially impacted with immigration issues the last few years.

According to the latest Census Bureau report Hispanics are the fastest growing population in America. This trend is proven out in North Carolina in many of its cities

"In North Carolina, the number of year-round Hispanic residents has exploded. The Census Bureau says the number has risen from about 77,000 in 1990 to 161,000 two years ago. Other experts say that figure is far too low, estimating the number at 349,000 last year. Most Hispanics were drawn to the state by its abundant jobs and an unemployment rate as low as 2% in some areas. "

While the influx has had positive affects in some areas of the state's growth there are residents and politicians who believe the explosion of growth brings with it a set of problems all its own. One of the problems according to opponents of such steadfast growth is the shrinking job market. Many feel that the nationwide economic turndown of late is going to be made worse by immigrants taking jobs that could go to United States citizens. While this sounds like a narrow minded viewpoint, those who believe it say they are only looking out for the financial protection of their families.

"Richard Vanderford, a local auto shop owner who helped organize the rally, said in his request for a rally permit that "non-American workers" are creating "an unburden able strain on the indigenous residents here, our traditions, our institutions and our infrastructure

Those who advocate the continued influx of immigrants say that the workers and the money they spend help boost the local economy.

Following the events of September 11 a growing suspicion of all immigrants caused many Hispanics to lose their construction jobs through layoff choices

. There were 77,000 Hispanics in North Carolina ten years ago. Today the state boasts a Hispanic community of 379,000 and growing. With the rise in numbers comes the rise in crime rates as well. Those who are opposed to the influx insist that the immigrants are more prone to criminal activity while those who advocate for the influx believe the rise can be attributed to any rise in any population number. Immigrants in Charlotte North Carolina are feeling the current economic pinch just as they are in other cities. The original reasons for coming to Charlotte are slowly fading. The booming job market was a big draw. However, another reason that Charlotte attracts immigrants is because the aging immigrants can survive in the area financially as well as health wise. In colder more expensive areas the elderly immigrants and middle aged immigrants suffer many more hardships than they do in a warm thriving area like Charlotte.

The total percentage in North Carolina of rising immigrant status is 400%. Charlotte takes more than its share of those numbers according ot latest statistics. North Carolina has boosted itself to the number one spot in the nation for attracting and keeping immigrants

. "North Carolina's booming Hispanic population fueled a 21.4% growth rate the past decade as the state grew to more than 8 million residents, according to Census 2000 data

In light of the terrorist attacks last summer the INS has stepped up the policing efforts of the past regarding immigrants. In North Carolina as well as other places there are much tighter restrictions on visa requirements and immigration processes. Whereas in the past many illegal immigrants lived in the open without fear of the INS those days are coming to a close as INS gears up for more stringent hunt and find methods for illegal and undocumented workers living in this country

Arthur.C. "Hispanics Feel Economy Pinch ." AP Online; (2002): January.

DOUG JOHNSON, Associated Press Writer, N.C. Hispanics Feel Economy Pinch., AP Online, 01-03-2002.

Larry Copeland, Hispanics up 400% in a state that's 'making its move'., USA Today, 03-22-2001, pp 08A.