Immigration!Brought to You by: Anjuli, Ian and Emily
Issues
Amnesty• Government pardon for violating immigration
policies and allowing them to become permanent residents
• Immigration Reform and Control Act – 1986• 6 other pieces of legislation have offered one-
time amnesty• Case to case basis
Issues:
National Security• Many conspirators in terrorist attacks have been
illegal immigrantsAgriculture/Economy• Many citizens are upset that illegal immigrants take
jobs from unemployed Americans• Increase in Food Prices?• Impact on unemployment rates and wages• Positive/negative effects small net effect
Pros and Cons: Strict Reform
Pros• National Security• Border states will have
more money to spend• Illegal immigrants take
jobs and money from U.S. economy
Cons• Expensive• Not enough manpower
to enforce• Loss of work force• Morality – America
founded by immigrants
FAIR
• Federation for American Immigration Reform• “Our nation's immigration policies must be
reformed to serve the national interest”• Goals: improve border security, stop illegal
immigration, and to promote immigration levels of about 300,000 per year
National Immigration Forum
• Pro-Immigration• Advocates for immigrants and for immigration
as an issue• “Ultimately, our vision is to create US
immigration policy that honors our nation’s ideals, protects human dignity, reflects our country’s economic demands, celebrates family unity and provides opportunities for progress. ”
DREAM Act Estimations
Camarota, Steven A. "Estimating the Impact of the DREAM Act." Center for Immigration Studies. Nov. 2010. Web. 02 Dec. 2010. <http://cis.org/dream-act-costs>.
Statistics
Hoefer, Michael, Nancy Rytina, and Bryan C. Baker. "Estimates of the Unauthorized Immigrant Population Residing in the United States: January 2009." Office of Immigration Studies, Jan. 2010. Web. 27 Nov. 2010. <http://www.dhs.gov/xlibrary/assets/statistics/publications/ois_ill_pe_2009.pdf>.
Statistics
ABC News/Washington Post, April 6-9, 2006Overall do you think illegal immigrants take jobs
that other people want, or take jobs that other people don't want?
• Take jobs that other people want: 29% • Take jobs that other people don't want: 68%
Statistics
Hoefer, Michael, Nancy Rytina, and Bryan C. Baker. "Estimates of the Unauthorized Immigrant Population Residing in the United States: January 2009." Office of Immigration Studies, Jan. 2010. Web. 27 Nov. 2010. <http://www.dhs.gov/xlibrary/assets/statistics/publications/ois_ill_pe_2009.pdf>.
Recent DevelopmentsHouse Proposed:• Border Protection, Anti-Terrorism, and Illegal Immigration
Control Act of 2005– Focus more on locking down border to prevent future illegal
crossings– Building fences along some of the more highly trafficked areas
along the border– Makes an easier process for the government to arrange for
illegal aliens to be sent home (although not necessarily easier to be found)
– Good: adds security from national threats (terrorists/drugs)– Bad: classifies illegal aliens as felons, and anyone who aids
them, raising harsher punishments than opponents feel are necessary
Recent Developments
• The American DREAM Act (Development, Relief, and Education of Alien Minors)– Proposed in Senate in 2001, reintroduced to Senate and
House in 2009– Requirements: Must be under 16 when entering the US,
lived in us for 5 years previous to enactment of bill, graduate High School or GED, must be between 12 and 35 at time of application, and have good morale character
– The Bill would allow people who meet the above requirements to go to college (& receive financial aid), enlist in the military, and start on the path to becoming citizens
Recent DevelopmentsSenate Proposed:• Safe Neighborhoods, Immigration, Law Enforcement
(Arizona Law) – 2010– Allows police to check for immigration status of any
arrested person(s)– Any crimes committed by an illegal alien while in
possession of drugs, weapons, etc. are immediately classified as a Class 3 Felony
– Would get change birthright citizenship, and make it so one parent must be a citizen to obtain citizenship for baby
– Some say it violates the Equal Protection Clause of 14th Amendment
Public Opinion
Morales, Lymari. Gallup Chart. 27 July 2010. Web. 23 Nov. 2010. <http://www.gallup.com/poll/141560/Amid-Immigration-Debate-Americans-Views-Ease-Slightly.aspx>.
Public Opinion
Saad, Lydia. Gallup. Chart. 4 May 2010. Web. 23 Nov. 2010. <http://www.gallup.com/poll/127649/Americans-Value-Aspects-Immigration-Reform.aspx>.
Public Opinion
Saad, Lydia. Gallup. Chart. 4 May 2010. Web. 23 Nov. 2010. <http://www.gallup.com/poll/127649/Americans-Value-Aspects-Immigration-Reform.aspx>.
Democratic Party Views
• In favor of pro-immigrant policy reform• Support giving immigrants the opportunity to
become citizens• Offer English-language and civic engagement classes
• Want to reform INS (Immigration and Naturalization Service)
• Punish employers who knowingly hire illegal immigrants
• US is a nation of immigrants
Republican Party Views
• Stricter border control and penalties for those smuggling illegal immigrants into the US
• US-VISIT system• Opposed to amnesty• Punish employers and employees who violate
immigration laws• Support reforming INS
Constitution Party Views
• Duty of federal government to guard and protect US borders
• Regulation of numbers and qualifications of immigrants
• Unconstitutional for illegal immigrants to be eligible for public assistance
• Detrimental effect on our economy• In favor of a moratorium on immigration in US• Opposed to amnesty and bilingual ballots
Arizona
• April 2010 – Gov. Brewer signs SB 1070 into effect• Gives police the right to question anyone who they
suspect is an illegal immigrant• Not carrying papers = state crime• Criticism: discriminates against Hispanics, requires
citizens to carry papers, unfair• Gov. Brewer has said racial profiling will not be
tolerated, police force will receive training to properly carry out the law
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