ImmigrationReform

Blake DeVlieger, Abhishek Poddar, Jeff Tucker

The Issue:

Immigration = moving permanent residence, usually from one country to another

1,000,000 legal plus 500,000 illegal immigrants annually

Impacts issues and developments like social services, population, schools, and the economy

The government has been working on ways to deal with this, but most have not passed

The History of American Immigration

July 4th, 1776- Descendents of and first-generation European immigrants occupying the British colonies declared independence from England.

July 14th 1798- Alien and Sedition Acts require a 14 year residency for citizenship, and deportation of “dangerous aliens”.

1864- Contract Labor Law

1875- Henderson v. Mayor of New York

The History of American Immigration

1882- Chinese Exclusion Act (1st Federal Immigration Law)

halts immigration from China

bars Chinese from gaining citizenship

restricts entry of lunatics, convicts, and others into the country

Head tax on immigrants

Renewed indefinitely in 1902, but repealed in 1943

1891- Bureau of Immigration established

more specifications added to the list of who to restrict entry to

immigrants not admitted required to be transported back to country of origin by steamboat companies.

1892- Ellis Island opened

to screen immigrants

entering from the east.

1905- Angel Island

opened on west coast

with the same purpose.

The History ofAmerican Immigration 1904-The first border

patrol is established to keep out Asian workers attempting to enter the country through Mexico

‘By 1917, immigration requirements included literacy tests, knowing English, no physical deformities or illnesses, & no unaccompanied children in addition to those less recently established.

1921- Quota Act limited immigrants to 3% of each nationality present in America.

1952-Immigration and Nationality Act- eliminates race as a bar from entry and citizenship

1965- Hart-Celler Act changes quota categories from nationality to hemisphere

The History ofAmerican Immigration 1986- Immigration Reform

and Control Act- amnesty for illegal aliens and sanctions for those employing them

1990- Immigration Act limited unskilled workers to 10,000/year

2001- USA Patriot Act broadens the reach of the Immigration and Nationality Act’s categorization of aliens who are ineligible to come into the country

A recurring issue is the conflict of interests between companies and individuals who want cheap labor and those who don’t need it and just experience the negative aspects of immigration.

Immigration Statistics by State

Pros and Cons Birthright Citizenship

All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the State wherein they reside. No State shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States; nor shall any State deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws.

Birthright Citizenship

Pros It is part of our constitution.

Giving birth in US is not a major incentive for immigrants.

Unnecessary distraction

Revoking birthright citizenship will only worsen illegal immigration

Cons The 14th amendment must be reinterpreted.

Revoking birthright citizenship will reduce illegal immigration.

Devalues US citizenship

Burden on American Welfare

Illegal immigrants are not "subject to the jurisdiction" of U.S. laws because they cannot be drafted into the military or tried for treason.

Public Opinion Polls

Republican Stance

Border Security is really important

Give border forces proper equipment and resources

Against Amnesty

Against giving refugees statues

Green Party Stance

No quotas

More attention to Refugees

Make passage into the US easier

Seasonal work passes for foreign workers

Against English only legislation

Democratic Party Stance

Feels that National Government should secure the border

Hold employers accountable for hiring undocumented workers

Undocumented workers should right themselves with the law before they become citizens

American Immigration Control Foundation

For Immigration Reform

Informs people about Illegal immigration

Farm Labor Organizing Committee

Wants Justice

Farm workers need a voice

Farm workers can forms unions with the help of the FLOC

Helps international groups that have interest in the States.

AFL-CIO

American Farm Labors Union

They want to make immigration easier

More workers + Less pay for worker=more money for farmer

DREAM Act

Development, Relief and Education of Alien Minors Act

Wants to give equal opportunity to underprivileged kids

Arizona Immigration Law

Highly debated

Wants to protect its citizens

Toughest Immigration law

It is currently going through the federal court system to see if it is unconstitutional

Growth of Immigration

Immigration has

Grown a lot since

The turn of the

Century

(http://www.cairco.org/data/data_us.html)

Bibliography

1849, By. "The Border | Interactive Timeline." PBS: Public Broadcasting Service. Web. 03 Dec. 2010. <http://www.pbs.org/kpbs/theborder/history/interactive-timeline.html>.

"Birthright Citizenship." Issues & Controversies. Facts On File News Services, 1 Nov. 2010. Web. 3 Dec. 2010. <http://www.2facts.com/article/i1500590>.

Cozic, Charles P. Illegal Immigration: Opposing Viewpoints. San Diego:      Greenhaven Press, 1996. Print.

"Immigration in America: Facts & Figures." Issues: Understanding Controversy and Society. ABC-CLIO, 2010. Web. 3 Dec. 2010.

Immigration Policy Center. Web. 03 Dec. 2010. <http://www.immigrationpolicy.org>.

Pinto, Katy M. "Immigration in America: Outlook." Issues: Understanding Controversy and Society. ABC-CLIO, 2010. Web. 3 Dec. 2010.

ProQuest Staff. "Topic Overview: Immigration." ProQuest LLC. 2010: n.pag. SIRS Researcher. Web. 03 Dec 2010.http://www.flowofhistory.org/themes/movement_settlement/uspolicytimeline.php

Simon, Rita J. "Immigration in America: Overview." Issues: Understanding Controversy and Society. ABC-CLIO, 2010. Web. 3 Dec. 2010.