Immigration Reform an Introduction

Immigration reform is a hot topic these days. Immigration is such a hot topic because some think they can win the election by pandering to the illegal immigrants. Others think we are giving away our country because there are those who say, “Let them stay. Give them amnesty. Give them a free education. Give them reduced collage fees. Give them free medical. Give them a free ride to citizenship.“

Well the problem is much more complex than giving away our county or paying for votes by allowing illegal immigrants stay in the country. Immigration deals with real people who have real life problems some of which are life threatening  .

Let me say we need immigration. We need the immigrants because, in theory at least, immigrants bring skills others within the country don’t have. They bring diversity of thought to expand our minds. They bring a diversity of culture to the USA to enrich or lives. Our country, the USA, is already one of the world biggest melting pots. We have blended with some grace. We have not done so perfectly. There have been problems. Citizenship, for example, of those of Chinese descent is one of many.

Without immigrants we would not be the successful country we are today. The recession not withstanding.

There is, however, a problem with those who come into the country illegally. They present special problems that are difficult to over come. This is not to say those who come illegally are altogether bad. They are not and that is another source of conflict. How do you account for the good in people while enforcing the proper immigration laws? After all, the USA needs hard working people who can help build a successful country. All that enter our country do not need to be doctors, or such. We need skills at all levels including gas station attendants, general labors, framers, and many more. That is what our current immigration laws try to promote.

The foremost problem with illegal immigration is the increased drain on the economy required to support the infrastructure demanded by individuals living in the USA if those individuals are not paying taxes. The infrastructure includes health care, support for food and education. If the illegal immigrant takes a job from a citizen then there is undue hardship on the citizen that can not be tolerated by our society. 

With proper immigration control those who enter the country legally are expected to have incomes high enough to pay taxes and help support our government. They take jobs that are theoretically not filled by individuals living in the USA. They, therefore, contribute to the economy of the USA. They are not a drain. As a bonus they bring the best of their world with them. Hopefully, they accept the best of the USA. A problem today is the immigrant wants to keep the habits of the old country and not endorse the good of the USA.

The second most important problem with illegal immigrants is one of jobs. Even in a good economy the job market is rather tough. If immigration is not controlled those from countries where the economy is worse than ours will come here to take jobs form citizens. This is unacceptable.  

Often the comment is made, "But they take jobs others would not take." That is and is not true. They do take some jobs because they work for less money. The employer makes more money with equal or superior quality labor. The illegal can do this because they live a different life style than those who are citizens. As the American worker is displaced they move on to other jobs. When the illegal workers are deported or do not show up for work because they fear deportation there appears to be no labor to fill the slot. This is most likely not true. The labors would come back if the jobs were permanent. Yes, in the short term there appears to be not labor force for the job.