Illegal Immigration: Pros & Cons
Posted: Monday, May 08, 2006
by Mario Garibaldi
Credit Secrets
This is a challenging subject to write about because first and foremost, it involves individuals and families. Young and old alike. It also involves differences in cultures and behavior. It also involves right and wrong, legal and illegal issues. When writing about illegal immigration, I think it's important not to lose sight that we're dealing with people who, for various reasons, have risked putting themselves in legal jeopardy. Many of them have risked their lives in order to live the American dream.
Illegal immigrants are primarily people from Mexico, Central and South America. Statistics from the Pew Hispanic Center show that 56% of illegal immigrants in the U.S. come primarily from Mexico in order to supply laborers to thousands of U.S. employers.
The first group of illegal immigrants enters the United States to enjoy a better economic life. Most of them are fleeing economic oppression, unemployment and poverty. The second group consists of visa holding tourists, students and highly skilled workers who, by choice, become illegal residents or "out of status." Similar to their undocumented counterparts, these visa holders also want a better life and grater opportunities.
Despite our socio-economic challenges, the United States still offers more opportunities to poor people from other countries. It's a fact that people want to come here one way or another. Whether entry is legal or illegal, it doesn't matter to them. Entering illegally is their only way to get in. Immigration laws require strict qualifications and adherence to pre-established quotas. To illegal immigrants, the benefits far outweigh the risks so they take their chances. If the tables were turned, wouldn't you do the same?
Most illegal immigrants are good human beings worthy of compassion and acceptance. From their point of view, a visa is just a stamp on a piece of paper which can be ignored in exchange for a better life. Obviously, that's the wrong way to look at the laws of the land. You can imagine what kind of chaos we would be in if everyone embraced the same philosophy and behavior.
Living in the U.S. is a privilege and not a right and I believe that it's perfectly alright to lawfully enjoy America's opportunities and freedoms. After all, we are all human beings seeking the things that make life a pleasant experience. Most people tend to agree that the pursuit of happiness should not be attained by illicit means. That's what keeps our society judicially balanced, prosperous and strong. Additionally, simply crossing the border or overstaying a visa doesn't automatically make a person an "immigrant."
The lack of balance between legality and human compassion causes heated debates over the illegal immigration issue. For example, compassion towards one group of people automatically creates injustice towards another group that is playing by the rules, trying to qualify for visas and waiting in line. Illegal immigration poses a conflict between tolerance and the law.
Since border security and employment verification systems are substantially inadequate, illegal immigrants should not bear the brunt of blame for the current situation. If the door is left open, they come in.
The general public and politicians continue to be divided and concerned about the consequences of massive illegal settlements in the country. Illegal immigration is not a victimless offense. It comes with both positive and negative consequences to society.
Many Americans don't seem to object to people working illegally in the country. Others do not fully understand the difference between legal and illegal immigration and that, in reality, legal immigration is doing just fine. What's not fine is " illegal" immigration. Even the media frequently makes no distinction between the two types of immigration, bundling everything up into one package and calling everyone "immigrants ." Legal immigrants who are playing by the rules and go on to become U.S. citizens are not the issue. There are no protests coming from legal immigrant populations.
Pros of Illegal immigration - according to some groups
1. It helps keep the economy moving by filling low-wage jobs.
2. It provides a better life to individuals and families who enter the country illegally.
3. It creates a pool of consumers for a variety of goods and services.
4. Farmers are able to plant and harvest less expensively.
5. Contributions to social security funds often go unclaimed.
6. Illegal immigrants pay sales taxes.
7. Illegal residents, who are property owners, also pay real estate taxes.
8. Millions of illegals rent properties in depressed areas where renters are hard to find.
9. They purchase real estate and generate commissions for agents and brokers.
10. Illegal immigrants benefit financial services through consumer loans.
11. They open bank accounts that yield interest and dividends to bankers.
12. Illegals purchase auto insurance and contribute to profit margins.
Cons of Illegal immigration - according to anti-unlawful immigration groups
1. Burden on tax-based resources, costing taxpayers billions of dollars.
2. Difficult prosecution and justice when perpetrators flee the country.
3. Disparity between legal immigrants who follow the rules and those who don't.
4. They risk death when traveling the desert to reach the borders.
5. Those that successfully cross the border inspire those left behind to do the same.
6. Continued growth of the demand for cheap labor and low wages.
7. No government reimbursement to offset states illegal alien maintenance costs.
8. Potential negative effects on working and middle-class citizens.
9. Millions of U.S. dollars sent outside the country.
10. Paper Fraud.
11. Fake document mills.
12. Imbalance in immigration quotas.
13. Interstate human trafficking.
14. Population health risks due to unverified pre-entry immunizations.
15. Increase in road traffic and usage, injurious or fatal accidents.
16. Congestion of tax-based public parks and recreation.
17. Overcrowding and financial burdens on public schools.
18. Continued law-breaking rationalization for those who employ illegals.
19. Growing number of uninsured illegal aliens who can't pay for claims.
20. Monopolization of Spanish language in various segments of society.
21. Unbalanced ethnic diversity.
We are experiencing very difficult economic times. People from other countries are feeling the pains and pressures caused by unemployment, homelessness, poverty, hopelessness, lack of education, low-paying jobs, stress and hunger. But if you look around, so are the rest of us. Millions of Americans go hungry every day. Shelters are overcrowded. Unemployment benefits are ending. Millions of people are jobless. Foreclosures are on the rise and health care costs are sky high. Millions of people have no health insurance.
Studies shows that, every day, over 1 million children in America have no place to call home and many are hungry and exposed to drugs and violence. Shouldn't these come first? Shouldn't the money that goes to pay for those who enter the country illegally be allocated to the homeless, the victims of abuse, schools, hospitals, the unemployed and the hungry? The answer to these questions depends largely on who you ask. Many people think that money, entitlements and rights should go to everyone, regardless of legal status. In practice, that's exactly what's been going on for over two decades now. Doesn't that tell you that we are generous nation?
The notion that it's OK to break the law as long as one's reasons are for a good cause is flawed. You can't take someone's car because you need transportation to go to work! Going to work is noble. Taking someone's car without permission to get there isn't. Immigrating to America legally, easily or not, is praiseworthy. Yet, breaking and entering is not. Having a social security number is a right reserved for those protected by the laws of the land. Using someone else's social security number to work is not acceptable.
Some claim it's too costly to protect our borders. Yet, it's not hard to release $3 Billion dollars for cash for clunkers!" program! What would $3 Billion do towards better border security? As you can see, it's all a matter of priorities. It's not fair to blame illegal immigrants alone. Employers have also created the right conditions and demand for undocumented, illegal workers.
Who else is contributing to the illegal immigration problem?
Basically, it's anyone who stands to profit or benefit from it. This is sad because illegal immigrants are often taken advantage of and aren't usually willing to come forward to protest abuse in the workplace or file lawsuits. Illegal immigrants risk a lot to enter and remain in the country. In fact, scores have been beaten, killed or left for dead, often by their own compatriots. Many have perished when vans and trucks over capacity have crashed while in transit across state lines.
What's going on from the employer's point of view?
1. Lower payroll costs.
2. Illegal immigrant employees are the least likely to be litigious when wronged at work.
3. Abundance of workers.
4. Illegals work and don't complain for fear of losing their jobs.
5. Illegals do work hard.
6. Higher profit margins and competitive advantage.
7. Illegal immigrants tend to be motivated and productive.
8. Less legal liabilities.
9. Employers aren't held responsible (yet) for verifying immigration status and right to work.
10. Fake work documents do not currently affect non-government employers.
11. All cash transactions to avoid income taxation.
12. Underbid others who hire residents and pay better wages.
13. Avoid unions and labor laws.
14. Wages don't have to be commensurate with experience or market values.
15. Inadequate or non-existent health care benefits.
As you can see, the practice of hiring illegals is a good deal for many employers and that's why they keep doing it.
There is so much money involved in illegal immigration that it makes it difficult too pass new laws or enforce current ones. Remember the amnesty in 1986? The amnesty was supposed to solve the illegal immigration problem. Instead, it caused more people to come in illegally in the hopes for yet another amnesty program in the future.
Illegal entry into the United States to work has been allowed to become a complex issue but I don't think that it is an unsolvable problem. In my personal view, we would be off to a good start if the Government imposed hefty fines on employers who use illegal labor and required them to use the e-Verify system.
Economic Costs
1. $11 Billion to $22 billion is spent on welfare to illegal aliens each year.
2. $2.2 Billion dollars a year is spent on food assistance programs such as food stamps, WIC, and free school lunches for illegal aliens.
3. $2.5 Billion dollars a year is spent on Medicaid for illegal aliens.
4. $12 Billion dollars a year is spent on primary care of the descendants of Columbus. As far as Mexico is concerned, we won the Mexican War and purchased the territories for $15 Million Dollars. It's over. The land has been ours for a long time now. The argument that this land is theirs is flawed at best. Previous homeowners cannot claim ownership of a house they sold years in the past.
It's all about money for those who come in and it's all about money for those who exploit them. The U.S. is giving jobs to them, welfare, free education, legal aid, insurance and medical coverage, public housing, rentals, homes, cars, the ability to open their own businesses, credit cards, vouchers, parks, recreation, land, entertainment, food, etc. Since we're generously providing all of the above, often at tax payers' expense, it tells me that the problem lies with those who take without being entitled and a country that gives without any restrictions or good controls.
Is illegal immigration wrong? Sure it is. That's why it is called illegal. It implies a violation of law(s ). Is there a solution? Sure! The U.S. should improve influx controls, removal management and entry restrictions. We won't stop illegal immigration as long as it's still relatively easy to enter the country without permission.
9 out of 10 times, people will take advantage of freebies. It's human nature. Unfortunately there is still a misconception floating out there that the United States is the land of the "free for the taking" or that "freedom" means no visas, no passports and no obedience to the laws of land. Countries have sovereignty, borders, laws and immigration controls for a reason. Otherwise things would turns into chaos. Freedom is now erroneously equated with "take what you can because you can!" I think that's the wrong idea.
Conclusion
Finally, it's important to note that we're not dealing with just numbers but actual people with hopes and dreams, despite the illegalities. 100 years from now, none of us will care about anyone's legal status anyway. That is not to say that illegal activity should be encouraged, continue, ignored or condoned in our present time. It also doesn't mean that we shouldn't think about laying solid and ethical foundations in order to preserve and protect America's future. Is America is a place where only those who qualify are able to enjoy it? Or, is it a place where anyone can come in regardless of legal status? Is America a scholarship or a shelter? The answer depends on what side of the "fence" you're on.
The debate continues.
This Article has been viewed 287,330 times. (Not updated in real-time.)
More commentsI work in a clinic for children with psychiatric problems. In the past year, the Hispanic population here has nearly tripled. They now know how to bring them as early as 4 and 5 years old and get the ADHD dx or whatever the case maybe and qualify for disability checks. I see families with mothers that are pregnant every year and we are paying for these childrens' everything. Healthcare, food, clothing, shelter, etc. Where will it end? I don't like feeling this way but their attitudes are arrogant and entitled. There is no disguising the fact that they are clearly aware of the way they are using the system. This is a very, very sad thing that is going on and something has to happen because they are constantly taking from our taxes and not paying any. Is that right? Especially when they are not US citizens and so many of us have legal family members that can't get the help they need and certainly not as speedily as the illegal immigrants do.First of all, assuming someone is illegal because of their tan skin is ignorant at best.
We all agree illegal is illegal for a reason, but try stating your sources before you plunge
head first into making a joke of yourself. In the state of Indiana illegals can't recieve federal
benefits including medicaid, food stamps, wic etc. Legal residents ONLY. Ignorance fuels hate
and in the future posters, get your facts straight before taking the OPINION of anyone...
"Especially when they are not US citizens and so many of us have legal family members that can't get the help they need and certainly not as speedily as the illegal immigrants do."
so are u saying that u are an illegal immigrant?
The end of the the bracero guest-worker program in the mid-1960's caused a one-year 40-percent wage increase for the United Farm Workers Union. A similar wage increase for legal farm workers today would work out to about a 10-dollar-a-year increase in the average family's bill for fruit and vegetables.$10 a year isn't much at all. I say we deport Illegals!!!
Good article, perhaps the most balanced I've come across:
Wow.... tough topic, I'm torn...
My mother was a legal immigrant from Mexico (now a naturalized citizen), and my father was American. I've visited family in Mexico many times and am very attached to them, my Mexican heritage is something I've grown to be proud of. I guess you could say I have a heart of compassion for the immigrant from hearing my mother's story about how tough it was, and seeing the conditions of poverty in Mexico. (I realize not at illegal immigrants are from Mexico, many are from Central/South America and even Europe). At the same time I can't excuse the laws of this land and how the political sovereignty of America has made it what it is.
I wish the current immigration process was easier than I hear (does anyone have any information on this process??). Im definitely not an expert but I've been doing some research for my senior paper... the arguments are strong on both sides and it is not as clear as it thought it would be when I picked this topic.
I can't imagine what it would be like to have illegal immigration as my only option to a better life, but I also can't ignore the trends and statistics of crime and costs from the lack of immigration law enforcement...
I agree, America is a nation of immigrants and may that tradition always be upheld, but to continue to be a nation benefitting its immigrant citizens and their descendants, its laws must be respected.
My question is about what could be done?? Yes, making businesses pay fines for employing undocumented workers would motivate them to change policies and the decrease of the amount of jobs available for them. Making illegal immigration a less attractive option. But what about deportation, how could the government keep that consistently humane and compassionate, is that even possible?? What about the separation of families that consist of legal and illegal family members. What if they do not have a home in Mexico? I'm not sure granting amnesty is a completely ideal option either. Like someone commented about the granting of amnesty in 1986...
And how would it be funded? Wouldn't it encourage more illegal immigration?
Should they deport everyone?
What about the undocumented workers here now, or those who have been living here for many years; how can they separate the people who want to honestly work to support their families from cartel members??
My question still the same , WHY JUDGE ALL "ILLEGAL ALIEN" THE SAME ???????? . If an "illegal alien" is not allowed to live in the country why are they able to pay for taxes ?????
Because is more income into the country and because they only can get partial tax return at the end of the year , not full tax return !!!!!!!!! So , another question is WHO'S PAYING WHO?? I guess some "illegal aliens" are paying social security benefits to some stupid "legal aliens" that doesn't want go to work and getting paid to stay home !!!!!!! but still blaming on "illegal aliens" . so who's doing the dirty jobs ?????? And this is a fact . I , personally , do not agree with some illegal situations but there's cases and cases .I do not believe that all the legal citizens never did something ILLEGALY in their lives , PLEASE ,GIVE ME A BREAK. My conclusion is if the American jails are packed with African-American people should I judge all Afro-American people as a serial killer or a thief???????? NO!!!!!!! AND AGAIN THERE'S CASES AND CASES . DO NOT judge all the same .
"Illegal aliens" is an insult , they are humans like everybody else and they also have rights .
I'm writing this comment by experience , not by what I hear MORON people talking .im not being racist but maybe if americans worked in fields which most of thm dont they would feel what its like working in the hot all to give there family a better future believe it or not we need them because they are the ones in agriculture so we could get better vegtables :)
I agree with sera very much so. My opinions are very important in this issue because i come from California's central valley where agriculture here facilitates for a majority of jobs nearby and is one of the top produce production places in all of America. My family for one has been farming in the valley for over three generations and has hired immigrants legal and illegal over time. Hard workers that bust their ass to make a better life for themselves. Lets face it too, if you were to ask many unemployed citizens in america to work a 8 to 10 hr shift picking fruit in 103-110 degree tempurature they would probably say no. During the summer i have done this kind of work and appreciate that i am going to school and not doing that kind of work for the rest of my life. On the flip side, although the illegals that come over to America to do this work no legal citizen seems to sign up for are hard working, they are using government aidf that they are not paying taxes for.not all the illegals sign up to do agriculture as well. So it is a very hard topic to really side with one opinion for me. But it does need to be solved, i beleive we cant take the easy way out and just grant the illegal immigrants citizenship as soon as they walk over here
Hello everybody I am currently learning about illegal immigration in school, and I thought it woud be interesting for all of you to hear a younger person's view on this matter. Basically I am opposed to illegal immigration, I am totally for giving people better lives but i don't feel that it should be at the cost of others. If all of America's benefits and opportunities is a life boat and the people already on it are citizens, we cant just keep putting people on the life boat(illegal immigrants) because than it endangers the people already on the life boat. And I know many feel that illegal immigrants probably haven't done anything illegal in their lives and they had good intentions when they got here but just the sheer act of them bypassing the usual protocols of becoming a citizen is what is illegal, and that is something we cannot look past, I feel America is not stepping up to the task and securing our boarders, that we are almost aiding and abetting them in committing the crime of coming here illegally. How is it fair for the citizens to have to have to hold the burden and pick up the tab of illegal immigrants who aren't supposed to be here? and when talking about what is not morally right the government helping non citizens at the expense of the citizens they swore to protect should be what comes to peoples minds
dear ignorant people,
i hope you all realize that people immigrate from their families and homes in mexico in search of a better opportunity for their children and themselves. they risk their lives and come to america illegally because at times they're desperate for a change and happiness, and the process to recieve legal documents and citizenship is extremely lengthy and complicated. most mexican aliens are incredibly dedicated, not only to their work, but to their families as well.If they are so dedicated, why do they not put up with getting a visa and entering the country legally?like if its soo easy to do that.... im pretty sure that if the law that says that if u were born in america you are automaticly a citizen wasnt a law im pretty sure you guys would be the same like illegal immigrants working to get a visa ..... :)if it was important to them then they would get visas. if it was really important for them to get out of thier then they could. as it is more of them need to stand up in thier own goverment and tell it what they want. they need to start taking care of themselfs because we cant always come and do it for them. America is way to involved as it is. we got wars all over the place. our own president is failing us and they want us to be worried about THIER goverment. they just dont want to do thier own thing. they like the decisions made for them. and i understand that.
My parents were both immigrants. My dad one day got drunk but instead of driving home he slept in his car. He didn't know that when you sleep in the front with the keys in your pocket it is still considered A DUI. So later on he was arrested and deported. My family has never been on welfare EVER. My dad worked 2 jobs so he could give us things we needed. When he was deported we had to apply for welfare even then we had to borrow money so we could pay the rent. We are 8 people living in a one bedroom apartment. can you imagine how cramped it is? My bigger sister was enrolled in CSUN but had to drop out and get a full time job. Me and my sister were in a magnet school. After his deportation we needed to enroll in a regular school because we had no money to buy the materials needed to do the projects that the school demanded. My 7 year old sister once a good student stopped talking and doing her homework, she was closest to my dad. If my dad were here wed be much better off. He never hurt anyone and neither have we. But now we are forced to live with limitations. Everyone wants to get immigrants out of here but they dont think of the families that the deported are going to leave behind.Guess what? take away the primary bread winner and those families are going to HAVE to go on welfare!!! so by deporting hard workers who only want the best for their families you ARE putting dependents of the government! America is greedy and in these desperate times want to put the blame on someone so they turn to illegal immigrants. Who also did that? Oh yeah Germany. First they started racial profiling and seeking out the Jews. What is America doing now? Racial Profiling!
hey guess what!!! WE ARNT RACIAL PROFILING!!! you all are to STUPID to understand what is actuly going on! your all sooo STUPID that you dont understand that some illegal immigrants come to america from afganistan and other such countrys. these illegal immigrants are called cell terrists. they have one purpose. there purpose is to take down america! the 9/11 terrosist where cell terrosts!! they come day,months even years ahead of the attack!!! they try to stay out of trouble. they act friendly to their neighbors and then they attack! we are so stupid! if they can get enough illegal immigrants in here, it will totaly distroy america! our money value will go down and prices up because the illegal immigrants work for less then nothing! true americans dont even work real jobs any more! we just give them away! WE ARE ALL SO STUPID AND WAY TO "HUMANITARIAN" TO DO ANY THING FOR OURSELVES!!! WE CARE WAY TO MUCH ABOUT "FEELINGS"!!!!!! THEY DONT CARE WHAT U FEEL! THEY JUST WANT TO COME OVER HERE. THEY ARE ONLY LOOKING TO THEIR INTREST. THAT IS HOW IT WILL ALWAYS BE!!
GET RID OF ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!First off, by your spelling and terrible grammar mistakes you make yourself sound uneducated. I understand that most immigrants are able to get their citizenship, but what about those who have no one to sponsor them and they want to leave their corrupt, violent countries. By having illegal immigrants come here to this beautiful country and work jobs of lower interest jobs, it would motivate natural born citizens ("true") to go to college or to finish high school. Illegal immigrants come to the United States to work and better themselves and for their future families. If it was you and you were not able to get your passport or visa and you come from a place where the murder rate is triple those of American most dangerous cities, and standard of living was very low, I am sure you would too.NO I WOULD NOT. im sorry that u feel that i am "uneducated." as of right now i am struggiling to pass high school because of my learning disapility.but all the same. my grammer has nothing to do with the fact that still remains. the fact is that it is wrong to go agianst the rules. the rules are there to protect us. the illegal immigrants have no shame in breaking a rule. yes there are nice people that need a new place, but ppl, there are other ways to get in. the LEGAL way. if they are willing to break the rules once to get what they want then where would it stop??? next they might steal some food for their family. they might steal a car because they need to get to the fields to work. yes yes that all good and dandy!!! and if tey did truely care about their life style dont you think that they would reform their goverment??? we cant house all of them. soon enought their wont be room for our own children. generation after generation of illegal immigrants living here. we can hardly support ourselfs with the econimy as it is. you have to Think! what will the consequences be???? they have to be able to stand up and fix their own problems instead of running away like spooked horses!! i mean it! some of thoose ppl are very tough. so why dont they change thier goverment. it doesnt have to be that way. we have enought of our own ppl in poverty. lets tend to our own first then help others. as the bible says. "first take the plank out of your own eye before helping your neighbor."
Well see the Bible also says to love your neighbor as yourself and to not judge...im not judging. but they should also be able to solve their own problems.illegal immigration hurts every one! no one seems to see the issue here. its all around us. and i get so frustraited because people think that just because im 16, i dont understand. well guess what people i do. im not stupid. but no one wants to listen to some one thats younger but no one takes into thought to ask what we want because it effects us! this is our genouration of decision!I compeltly agree with you on this becuse people just dont get it about ilegal imagrants!Acording to yahoo news there is 11.5 million ilegal imagrants in america who are leeching off our goverment that comes off our money. Could you imagine the money thats saved if we remove them all and not to mention all the jobs it will add that will make our so called 220 thousand jobs added in febuary look like a jokeRobert, God bless you!! now i know that im not the only only one thinking about the future!! just remeber that ur not stupid because u saw the future man!
This such an awesome blog!It exposes the truth about ilegal imagrants that come into america and the problem isnt ilegal imagrants itself its the people that support them. Thats why its so important that we the people vote no on ilegal imagrants and vote out poltics who support them!
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