Term Paper on "Pros and Cons of Immigration Reform"

Term Paper 4 pages (1324 words) Sources: 1+

[EXCERPT] . . . .

immigration reform.

Pros and Cons of Immigration Reform

Briefly state two facts presented by each side.

Lamm (2002) presents several facts in his case for significant immigration reform, some of these facts were quite powerful. The first fact he presents is aimed at the heart of the American reader. Lamm notes that 19 Islamic fundamentalists were the murderers of more than 3,000 innocent people on September 11th and that all of these murderers entered the United States legally.

His second fact expounds on this information. Lamm further explains that some of these 19 terrorists legal visas had expired, and that this is not an uncommon occurrence. He states that approximately one-half of the 8 to 11 million illegal aliens in the United States are those who entered the country legally, but have overstayed their approved duration.

Campbell (2006) also uses facts in her argument against immigration reform. Her first fact involves President Bush's current plan to send 6,000 National Guardsmen to police the approximately 2,000-mile long border between the United States and Mexico. Campbell's second fact involves her theory that increased border control would lead to migrant's into crossing the border at more dangerous points, which she underscores with the fact that in 2005, 463 migrants died trying to cross into the United States, from Mexico.

Briefly state, in your own words, two opinions presented by each side.

One of Lamm's (2002) opinions presented in his speech is that the United States is a country basically with open borders, despite all of the immigration controls currently in place. He surmises that this is due to several factors, including: the lack of border control agents for thousands of miles of border, as well as the inability to effectively background check immigrants coming in from countries such as Jordan, Libya, and Egypt. Lamm's second opinion is that the implementation of a national I.D. would prohibit illegal aliens from obtaining employment. However, he fails to acknowledge the millions of workers that currently work under the table, with absolutely no documentation at all, and a national I.D. would fail to change this.

Campbell (2006), on the other hand, uses the opinion that an increased border control is a repressive action taken towards Mexican citizens specifically. This action would not only affect Mexican migrants but also anyone who would enter the country illegally, whether it be for work or for terror. Campbell's second opinion is that somehow the desire for a better life supercedes America's need for security. She theorizes that illegal Mexican workers fill a need for cheap labor in the U.S. And that this combined with the fact that these workers are just looking for the American dream, that their entry is harmless.

Briefly identify as many problems on the Pro-side as you can.

The most significant problem with the pro-side for immigration reform is Lamm's (2002) assumption that programs like a national I.D. would truly be an effective means of monitoring people within the United States. As mentioned, this method would not prevent the occurrence of workers working under-the-table for cash.

Another problem with Lamm's speech is the belief that a 6-month moratorium on visas would have a positive effect. What possibly in 6-months could change the ability of the United States to accurately perform background checks on the thousands of visa entries from countries such as Jordan and Libya? This accuracy depends also on the data collection within the home state of the immigrant, which is unlikely to change.

Briefly identify as many problems on the Con side as you can.

The primary problem in Campbell's (2006) article is the supposition that the American economy truly needs illegal aliens to function. The author makes no mention of guest-worker programs that would allow for workers to enter the country, to fill jobs that are not being filled by American citizens, but also require them to have a background check, pay taxes, and leave after a specified period of time. She also fails… READ MORE

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