Immigration Policy and the Path to Full Citizenship

Introduction to Immigration and Its Challenges

Immigration can be defined as the voluntary movement of non-native persons into a different country with the goal of settling and living there (Boneva & Frieze, 2001). The major reasons people immigrate from one country to another include the desire to improve the quality of their lives, improve future prospects for their families, or to be closer to family and close friends (Boneva & Frieze, 2001; Skrbis, 2008). Illegal immigration has been a persistent problem in large countries like the United States that border nations where the standard of living is significantly lower — as is the case between the United States and Mexico. People find relatively unprotected borders easy to cross and are motivated to do so by the promise of a better life for themselves and their families.

When large numbers of people legally immigrate to another country, barriers are created between immigrants and native residents regarding issues such as assimilation, enculturation, and the marginalization of immigrant communities (Skrbis, 2008).

Economic and Cultural Effects of Legal Immigration

Interestingly, immigration conducted through legal channels has actually been quite a positive force in countries like the United States in terms of both economics and culture (Hoeing, 2013; Ruhs & Martin, 2008). The incorporation of immigrants into a country is typically most problematic when there are large numbers of recent arrivals and/or when a significant portion of the immigrant population is undocumented (Ruhs & Martin, 2008; Skrbis, 2008).

The challenge posed by undocumented immigrants in countries like the United States is made even more difficult by the policies those countries adopt. For example, many countries — including the United States — have made it extremely difficult for undocumented immigrants to legalize their status. Paradoxically, when these countries escalate border enforcement, it actually makes it much harder for undocumented immigrants to leave and makes them more reluctant to do so (Skrbis, 2008). The result is a large underclass of non-native individuals who are denied the opportunity for upward mobility, creating greater tension and polarization between native and non-native populations, leading to stricter policies, increased public discord, and deepening marginalization. Undocumented immigrants thus remain unable to assimilate and become permanently marginal members of society.

The Problem of Undocumented Immigration and Restrictive Policy

The issue of undocumented immigration in the United States is deeply intertwined with enforcement policy. When border controls tighten, undocumented immigrants who might otherwise return to their home countries are effectively trapped, increasing the size of the undocumented population. This dynamic creates a self-reinforcing cycle: stricter enforcement generates more publicity and political tension, which in turn calls for even stricter enforcement, while the underlying population of marginalized individuals continues to grow. Without a realistic mechanism for legalization, these individuals remain outside the civic and economic mainstream, contributing to social stratification and inequality.

Conclusion

The better choice is to allow undocumented immigrants a genuine chance at full citizenship, a position supported by economic, social, and ethical considerations. A path to citizenship expands the tax base, enables assimilation and multicultural exchange, and upholds the democratic principle that people should not be permanently excluded from civic life simply for seeking a better life. Guest-worker programs and escalating enforcement have both proven to be inadequate and counterproductive responses to undocumented immigration. Full, permanent citizenship is the most humane and effective solution.