Debating Immagration Essay, Research Paper

Stephen Kanelos

English 1C

October 1, 2001

Debating Immigration

Immigration is the movement of people into another nation with the intention of living

there permanently. After a four centuries of immigration have passed and people have moved

from region to region, the breeding of different races has caused there to be over two thousand

different races. The social construction of stereotypes has a far greater impact on race. This is

what leads to discrimination and finally unequal treatment and even hatred among immigrants of

all shades of skin pigment.

Like the history of past colonists who migrated to the USA started in the early 1600’s,

most modern day immigrants are motivated to relocate far from their original homes for the

desire to improve their economic situation. These people are known as economic immigrants,

who resettle in other countries such as USA in search of jobs, farmland, or business

opportunities.

Americans often view immigration as a problem, even though the USA has been shaped

by immigrants. Born Americans often look down on new immigrants. Facts from the Encarta

Encyclopedia states, “Immigrants are frequently targets of criticism, especially when the new

arrivals come from a different country, rather then to be already among the established

community. The vast majority of immigrants coming to the USA have come in search of jobs

and the chance to create a better life for themselves and their families. In all of American

history, less than ten percent of immigrants have come for political or religious reasons” (Encarta

Encyclopedia). American’s do expect immigrants to absorb the benefits and standards of

American society, but most of them do maintain some of there cultural heritage, language, and

religious practices. In the USA they have born native citizens that choose what to believe in and

practice. American Born citizens also believe in and practice differently then the rest of the

American society, so why does the situation get slammed on immigrants when the participate in

these activities? I mentioned this situation to a co-worker of mine, Brad Tibbs and this is what

he said, “Only in the USA can you be an American born citizen on welfare standing on a card

board box in broad day light in the middle of a busy intersection, yelling at the top of your lungs

“I hate America” and get away with it. In any other country where these people are coming from

they would be killed for doing such a thing. When they come here to the USA they give or

country more respect then our own Americans” (Tibbs, Brad). It’s really a true statement if you

really take a moment to really absorb what Brad said. At first I was like whatever guy. Then I

sat down and wrote what he had just said to me and it really does mean a lot to the way all

people, of all races, immigrated or born citizen look at the USA.

The motivation behind immigration to the USA over the last four hundred years was

mainly done for two reasons. They need to leave their prior environment to survive and the

attraction of the advertisement of the new ways of the USA. For those two main reasons almost

everyone would like to go to the USA. “The one and only reason that the USA is chosen by

immigrants more then any other country such as France, or Japan, although they would get

higher wages, is because they know in the USA they have much less chance of getting hurrased,

arrested or deported” (American Immigration Lawyers Association).

Immigrants are coming to the USA knowing that they can get over on the government

and their polices, so they to take advantage of the situation. Just as our children learn to do when

they’re growing up. They know what to ask mom for and they know what to ask dad for,

depending on who is more likely to give them the answer they want to here? Spokesman from

the DV Information and Registration Services say this about they polices and procedures,

“Immigration should not be abolished or should there be any discrimination by race of which the

USA lets in. However, I strongly believe that there needs to be restrictions, qualifications such

as the basic naturalization require which include physical appearance, moral character,

attachment to constitution, language, US government and history knowledge. Also a probation

period needs to be established and inforced to make sure that ones immigrating are doing or at

least participating in the regularities of the USA’s society” (Commercial Service Website).

Basically the future immigrants with a skill and qualifications will be the first priority in the

national interest just as in the world the born American citizens live among now.

Some American’s also think that the USA should shut down its boarders to all

immigration into the USA. They think that this will stop present day terrorism and the menaces

to the society that come with the immigrants. Senator Dianne Feinstein sees the future this way,

“Immigration reform, including keeping better track of who is allowed enter the country, is

among the most critical steps toward combating terrorism and immigration. USA has made it

obviously now to easy for immigrants to obtain visas from the local U.S. Embassies, get on a

plane, land in the USA and disappear into the nation with no one ever to go looking for them as

long as they don’t participate in any criminal acts” (Center for Immigration Studies). The recent

rise in terrorism has changed a lot of Americans views on immigration. It has changed most of

them Americans to have a negative attitude towards immigration and people of that race being

held responsible for the recent act of terrorism. Now remember back to the date of “April

19, 1995, Timothy McVeigh was the bombing suspect of the Murrah Federal Building that

claimed 168 innocent America lives” (Tribun-Star). The numbers might not seem comparable to

resent terrorist acts on the World Trade Center. There was about 6400 deaths in the World Trade

Center incident. That means that if thirty-eight people were involved in the planning of the

attacks, then each one of them would be responsible for the same amount of lives that Timothy

McVeigh was responsible for in his lone terrorist act. Even if you were able to remove all

immigrants from the USA, everyone would still have to worry about born America citizens and

their terrorist activities causing just as much damage as immigrants from other countries of other

races.

Those who seek immigration reform would like for you to accept their views without

thinking over their argument. Are the rising costs of healthcare, education, government deficits

and the problem of unemployment the fault of legal immigration? This is what the House

Majority Leaded, Dick Armey of Texas had to say on the issue, “legal immigrants

contribute more to the American economy then they detract from it. Immigration keeps U.S.

industries competitive, increase employment through higher rates of self-employment, and

increase wages and mobility opportunities for many groups of U.S. workers. Instead of cutting

off global immigration, the USA needs to take responsibility for finding solutions to the skills

shortage and eliminating abuses of the system that have helped to create many misconceptions

about the value of immigration and the labors they provide to the USA” (U.S. Commissions

Immigration Reform).

Bibliography

Work Cited

Completing Blue Prints for an Ideal Legal Immigration Policy. Center for Immigration Studies.

Mar. 2000. Washington. 17 Sept. 2001

Congressional Authorization. U.S. Commission on Immigration Reform. 7 Mar. 1998. 18 Sept.

2001

“Microsoft Corporation.” Encarta Encyclopedia Online. 1993 – 2000. Encarta Encyclopedia.

18 Sept. 2001

Reason for Immigration. Immigration Issues. 1999. American Immigration Lawyers

Association. 20 Sept. 2001

Tibbs, Brad. Personal Interview. 20 Sept. 2001.

Timothy James McVeig. One Life for 168. Tribune-Star 2001. Indiana. 19 Sept. 2001

U.S. Immigration Citizenship Information. DV Information. 2000 – 2001. Commercial

Services website. 19 Sept. 2001

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