The main concern that Americans have regarding the massive influx of immigrants in their border states is that their jobs will be taken. All the rumors concerning Americans being fired so that lower-paid immigrants could take their place don't really have a firm basis, as they are just stories based on misconceptions and suppositions. The reality is different, and it proves that there is no reason for harsh measures to be taken concerning legal immigrants coming into the country.
"Illegal immigration doesn't even seem to have a dramatic effect on wages, with pay for unskilled work in Arizona regularly exceeding the minimum wage.
Unskilled workers currently make up to thirty percent of Arizona's labor workforce, and they are constantly in demand." (Judis, John B. pp. 6)
Because of various purposes, some people choose to enter the U.S. illegally. As they don't have all the benefits that legal immigrants have, they have to work without a working permit, and for lesser money. As they are less likely to support themselves, they are alsomore inclined to commit crimes. "The Pew Hispanic Center estimated the unauthorized population at 11.1 million in March 2005 and projected it would be 11.5 to 12 million by March 2006"(Hoefer Michael, Rytina Nancy, Campbell Cristopher pp. 11). The real number of illegal immigrants living in the U.S. is unknown, but it is believed that there are much more people illegally residing within the borders of the U.S. than officially estimated.
People that are legally permanent residents (LPRs) in the U.S. enjoy certain privileges which almost make them equal to U.S. citizens. Most people receive the LPR status because of their connection to an LPR or to a U.S. citizen. The method used by U.S. authorities to determine who is and who is not qualified to receive an LPR status is fair, and most people that deserve...
& #8230; Persons who qualify for legal permanent resident status who are living in the United States, including refugees, certain temporary workers, foreign students, family members, and certain undocumented immigrants, file an application for adjustmerit of status to lawful permanent residence with USCIS (Jefferys Kelly, Monger Randall pp. 17)
The immigrants that don't comply with the requirements for the LPR status feel that they have no other solution than to pass the border illegally. Mexican immigrants especially, find it harder to receive permission to enter the U.S. because of the trouble that their people have caused. Seeing that it is rather easy to illegally pass the border, they do so and become illegal immigrants.
People believe that legal immigrants are harmful to the economy of the country that they enter. However, the truth is that they actually bring economic growth to it. Immigrants are generally young people keen to work in all domains. Thus, immigrants bring along a younger working force, which influences economic growth.
"Illegal immigrants risk their lives to better themselves." (the Economist) Every year thousands of people die in their attempts to pass borders illegally. Most of them would rather lose their lives than to return to the poverty which they left behind.
Immigrants themselves are not guilty for their acts. They are guilty for wanting to escape the poverty from their countries. Globalization has proved to be effective when concerning immigrants, with conditions in several third-world countries having bettered. As a result, lesser people have been inclined to leave the respective countries.
"Keep out," the Economist, Jan. 3rd, 2008.
