Opponents also typically insist that undocumented immigrants lower wages and labor standards by offering their cheap labor and by being willing to work under very harsh conditions (“Lower wages,” 2008). This, increases unemployment and affects the living conditions of the working class and poor Americans (“Amnesty,” 2009). Thus, according to opponents, a comprehensive immigration reform would reward “criminals” who, not only broke the law, but also exploit the US economy, degenerate society, and compete against natives for work opportunities that are running scarcer as more people continue to come to the US. Legalizing the millions of undocumented immigrants that currently reside in the US would send future immigrants the wrong message that it is acceptable to enter the US illegally and that they will, in the future, be similarly forgiven (“What is wrong,” 2005). Finally opponents complain that legalizing undocumented immigrants would be very unjust for both, those that went through the long, legal process of receiving a visa, and for those that are still waiting to receive one.
“Illegal immigration is a major cause in the overcrowding of our schools and our prisons.” (Bender, David) Michael Huffington, a former member of the US House of Reps. For California says that, “Many illegal immigrants come for two purposes that are both destructive and expensive: to commit crimes or to receive government benefits.” (Huffington, 63) “For instance, the 18th Street gang in Southern California is one of the nation’s most violent street gangs with a staggering 20,000 members. More appalling is the fact that 60 percent of the 18the Street gang’s
The taxpayers pay for these programs. As the population and the need for these benefits increase, the taxpayers pay increasingly more money. This does not help the economy. It is not fair for American citizens to have to increasingly pay more money to help support the illegal immigrants while struggling to support themselves and their own
A solution to this ever growing problem would to be for the United States to begin charging the countries in which illegal immigrants are coming to the United States from. This is a good solution because it might serve as an incentive for the country to improve the living conditions of their own country. Another reason is that the money coming from charging the countries could be used to help pay the national debt to help boost the economy and less illegal immigrants would ensure more jobs for legal
Noël Merino. Detroit: Greenhaven Press, 2012. Current Controversies. Rpt. from "How Illegal Immigrants Are Helping Social Security."
Opposing Viewpoints Resource Center. Gale. 12 Jan. 2009
First of all, illegal immigrants may or may not choose to file personal taxes, but they certainly pay sales taxes. These taxes increase the overall economic situation of many local communities. The smaller the community, the more positive effect an influx of illegal immigrants is going to have on the economy, as they spend money and therefore spend sales tax. They also stimulate the economy by providing stimulation of the workforce. However, illegal immigrants are subject to institutional and societal prejudice for several reasons.
9 Apr. 2012. Bowman, Jeffrey, and Cushman Ames. "Amnesty Promotes Illegal Immigration." ebscohost.com.
Some debates talk about citizenship, border security, driver's license, mass deportations, threats, economic burdens, and higher crime rates. For example, in America, 72% of legal citizens oppose allowing illegal immigrants the ability to obtain a driver's license (Miller). Other problems create disadvantages towards American citizens and workers, such as the Southwest seeing an increase in mass murders, sexual assaults, kidnappings, shootings, armed robberies, burglaries, and more, most being tied to illegal immigration (Greenblatt). These problems further drain public budgets and intensify competition for jobs, social services, and low-cost affordable housing because of the congestion in cities and towns that involve minorities, the homeless, everyday citizens, and both legal and illegal immigrants. Throughout the current wave of immigration, polls have consistently found that the public, at large, favors curbing immigration.
Web. 26 March 2012. “5 Major Reasons to Ban Plastic Bags.” Our Everyday Earth. n.p. 23 Feb. 2011.