Immigration Nation of Immigrants America Is Sometimes

Immigration

Nation of Immigrants

America is sometimes referred to as a "nation of immigrants" because of our largely open-door policy toward accepting foreigners who pursuing their vision of the American Dream. Recently, there has been a clamor by some politicians and citizens toward creating predominantly closed-door policy on immigration, arguing that immigrants threaten American life by creating unemployment, taking jobs from American workers, using much-needed social security services, and encroaching on the American way of life. While these statements seem valid for many, they are almost overwhelmingly false, and more than likely confused with the subject of illegal immigration. Immigrants actually enhance American life by creating, not taking jobs, bolster social service funds through tax payment, and bringing valuable technical knowledge and skills to our country.

Discussion

Illegal Immigration

Illegal immigration is defined as the trespassing across the national borders in a way that violates the immigration laws of the concerned country. Although there are a myriad of causes behind it, the primary motivation that plays a major role in illegal immigration is the hope for greater economic opportunities and improved quality of life. Crossing the prohibited borders is not the only way in which the process of illegal immigration is carried out. There are times when a person enters a country legally, but violates the terms and conditions of his visa and passport. If he overstays in the destination country, crossing the legally allowed time frame, it equally accounts for illegal immigration. There are various models which purposefully justify the concept of illegal immigration. At the end of the day, when we look at things, it is all about a person trying to better his life ("Pros And Cons Of Illegal Immigration").

Legal Immigration

Opponents to immigration of all types argue that increased opportunities for immigration means more opportunity for terrorists, drug dealers, and other criminals to enter the country. Furthermore immigrants, especially the poorer ones, consume a high amount of government resources such as health care, education, welfare, and so forth, without paying a corresponding high rate of taxes. Some believe that immigration weakens the national identity and the English language, the great melting pot is being replaced by the divisiveness of competing cultures. Other arguments include the proposition that less-skilled American citizens earn less money and have fewer job opportunities because they must compete with immigrants in the job market and immigration to the United States hurts the home country, as much of the male population, workers, and top intellectuals often leave their country (Messerli).

Proponents of immigration use some of the same points to support the proposition. Some of the most intelligent and ambitious individuals, who are unsatisfied with their own countries, bring their skills to America. Immigration increases the diversity and expands the culture of the country. Immigrants often taken the low-paying jobs that most Americans don't want to do at such low wages. Decreasing or eliminating legal immigration will inevitably create more incentive to come to the country illegally, which leads to less assimilation and fewer taxpaying, law-abiding citizens. It improves the overall image of America internationally, as it is seen as an open, welcoming country; and immigrants who return home or maintain contact with family back home have a true image of America, not the one propagandized in much of the international media. Adding an additional group of cheap labor adds to the flexibility of business, leading to cheaper prices, better quality products, and higher profits. It gives struggling people all over the world an opportunity for a better life. This country was built on immigrants who sought opportunity, political and religious freedom (Messerli).

Conclusion

A political battle that has been heating up recently is the battle over immigration. Terrorism, the drug war, and the national deficit have all fueled interest in a long dormant debate. The U.S. Census Bureau forecasts that the nation's population, fed largely by immigration, will grow to 420 million by the year 2050. The Hispanic population alone should be over 100 million, which is especially relevant since over 60% of immigrants come from Mexico.