The Immigration Policy of the United States
Juan Carlos Castillo CedanoASA College
Research Methods
Professor Eduardo PurisimaJanuary 12, 2022
Abstract
The issue of immigration in the US is a hotly debated topic. President Trump would like to build a wall with Mexico to stop people from entering the US illegally; however, he has failed to acknowledge all of the benefits that immigrants have on our economy and culture. There are many topics related to immigration, but two things we need to look at are interpreting what this means for our American ideology and how it will affect America’s standing in the world. This issue has been going on for so long, with so many different presidents addressing it in different ways, that it raises the question of just how much of an impact this will have on American culture at large. From the migration of Europeans to North America to the waves of south and east Asians and Hispanics that continue to arrive every year, immigration policy has had a significant impact on American society. This article explores the reasons why many immigrants have found their way into America in recent decades, what kinds of challenges they face when they immigrate, and how immigration policies are changing. The history of US immigration policy spans back to 1776 when it was established by statute that there could be no slavery in any territory belonging to or “ceded” from any nation-state without permission from Congress which would convene immediately for this purpose.
Immigration is a hotly debated topic in the United States of America right now. For too many years, this has been a focal point of political controversy in the United States. For many years, Congress has been unable to achieve a consensus on comprehensive immigration reform. It has advanced to the point where it has pushed the issue into the executive and judicial departments of government, escalating conflicts with state governments and even the public at large. President Donald Trump signed executive authority on border security, refugees, and interior enforcement shortly after taking office. However, in mid-2017, President Trump withdrew two Obama-era policies designed to protect illegal parents and children from repatriation (Zong et al, 2018). However, certain states and individuals in the United States have objected to the decision. This paper seeks to determine the nature of immigration policies during Trump’s era. It will also determine how Obama’s era responded to the immigration issue. It will also recommend the way forward.According to a Gallup poll conducted in 2017, 71percent of Americans believe that immigration is beneficial to UDA. Conversely, in 2016, 84 percent of The population backed a route to citizenship for illegal immigrants who met the qualifications. But, a second Gallup poll found that many Republicans backed a road to citizenship rather than the proposed border wall. Furthermore, not all Electors approve of immigration. Some people discover that immigrants have gone to take their jobs, leaving them jobless (Zong et al, 2018). However, other students are pleased with President Trump’s decision since they believe their assets have been misused for those that are not a part of the group.
For many years, Congress has discussed numerous parts of immigration policy, some of which are considered comprehensive, while others are considered piecemeal. In 2013, legislators came dangerously close to passing a meaningful immigration policy when the Democratic Senate adopted a comprehensive policy measure that may have included a path to citizenship for illegal immigrants as well as strict border security elements (Mayda et al, 2018). However, this bill did not obtain a vote in the Republican-controlled House of Representatives. However, immigration hawks, including White House personnel and the conservative party, have proposed legislation calling for significant reductions in immigrants across the spectrum.
Obama’s administration implemented policies that attracted widespread criticism from many parties. Some advocacy organizations chastised his rule for formally removing more than three million individuals. The majority of Republicans emphasized that the Obama administration was too lenient in confining its removal operations to unauthorized immigrants who had committed several felonies. During his campaigns, President Trump decried and issued an executive order to block federal funding to such local municipalities and to reinstate the controversial ‘Secure Communities’ strategy. In this technique, state and municipal police hand over those who are illegally residing in the nation (Mayda et al, 2018). Moreover, Donald Trump directed the development of enforcement alliances between federal, state, and local officials.
Immigration reform, according to liberals, is discriminatory since it affects people of various races. It is a discriminating tactic that is used to take the lives of those who have come to America in quest of work. The concept is said to have been politicized, with numerous individuals using it for political benefit. In practice, liberals thought that life in America must not be limited to solely Americans, but that the country should be exposed to diverse cultures and ideas. Liberals think that deporting immigrants is not cost-effective since they are the backbone of the American economy. They provide inexpensive labor in companies, decreasing manufacturing costs (Pierce et al, 2018). It has been noted that many Americans cannot work in some industries due to the poor working conditions and poor wages.
The conservative is determined to defend the American constitution at any cost. They are aware that crossing borders without sufficient legal documentation is unlawful. However, growing immigration is viewed as a danger to the American economy in terms of employment prospects and fiscal strain. It is the goal of any conservative headed by Donald Trump to guarantee that all those who come to America illegally return home (Pierce et al, 2018). The foreigners supplying cheap labor are hurting the American economy since the money that might have been provided to them is pocketed by a few individuals, causing money flow to be hampered.
The prospect of the immigration policy is currently dim provided that president Trump’s position and political divisions exist. It is very evident that there is no attempt from the Republican Party to go down the comprehensive path again. Additionally, some legislators can try to take a piecemeal strategy commencing with commencement remedies but bi-partisan support for cherry-picking reforms is not likely. However, for any problem, there should be a solution. I believe that America is America just like any other state. The issue of immigration should be handled amicably (Dillender, & McInerney, 2020). People should be aware that America is not a freeman’s state but it is very crucial to understand that it is a state guarded by law. In this regard, undocumented immigrants should consider themselves to have entered the country illegally irrespective of what conditions brought them. For a country to develop, it should know well its people, thus it is very difficult to budget for undocumented people
To summarize, immigration policy in the United States of America is a significant topic that has provoked fierce discussion in both Congress and the general public. The Democrats favor measures that would allow unauthorized immigrants who arrived in the United States as children to become citizens of the united states, not just current DACA recipients, but also other visionaries who are too young or too old for DACA. Republicans, on the other hand, sought to repeal the program and ensure that all unauthorized immigrants are identified and removed. Every member of the public has their own point of view. Liberals feel that present immigration policies are hurting American residents. Conservatives, on the other hand, believe that citizenship for unauthorized immigrants should be abolished. The American Congress should seek agreeable solutions to the immigration challenges. It is critical for any individual lacking appropriate paperwork to understand that they have been within this nation unlawfully and therefore should respect whatever legislation that’s also enacted. Moreover, the administration must not politicize the issue of immigration, but instead just view it as a crucial issue that requires a vital solution.
References
Dillender, M., & McInerney, M. (2020). The role of Mexican immigration to the United States in improved workplace safety for natives from 1980 to 2015. Journal of health economics, 70, 102280.
Jones, R. (2021). White Borders: The History of Race and Immigration in the United States from Chinese Exclusion to the Border Wall. Beacon Press.
Mayda, A. M., Peri, G., & Steingress, W. (2022). The political impact of immigration: Evidence from the United States. American Economic Journal: Applied Economics, 14(1), 358-89.
Pierce, S., Bolter, J., & Selee, A. (2018). US immigration policy under Trump: Deep changes and lasting impacts. Migration Policy Institute, 9.
Zong, J., Batalova, J., & Hallock, J. (2018). Frequently requested statistics on immigrants and immigration in the United States.
