Immigration | Teen Ink

Immigration MAG

By Anonymous

      “I’m more than happy they are working here ... but I want them to be citizens, so they can get benefits and aren’t taking benefits from our citizens,” commented Mayor John Nieland of Marion, Iowa. Unemployment in his city has been caused by subcontractors taking advantage of illegal immigrants’ cheap labor. Iowa is not the only state where this is a problem.

Illegal immigration certainly has been a topic of heated debate recently. The approximately 12 million people making up the illegal population have been accused of harming America’s economy, taking advantage of health benefits, not paying taxes, and destroying our education system.

Multiple reforms have been suggested in hopes of solving the dispute without affecting the American economy or upsetting legal citizens. What are the options? Writer Victor Hanson summarizes them thus: Build a wall! Beef up border security! Fine employers; create a guest-worker program. Insist on tamper-proof identification cards, or detention, deportation, or even amnesty for some illegal aliens.

The only true way to make everyone happy is through compromise. Borders must be closed to prevent further illegal immigration, and immigrants already in the States must be properly documented. If they are not, they should be deported. With documentation, they should live unharmed and be treated as equals. If they disobey American laws, then deportation must follow. Guest workers may continue to apply for working rights in America, but they must undergo extensive background checks to ensure their wishes are honorable.

Until serious logical changes (not massive walls) are instituted, the United States will continue to struggle with the issue.



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This article has 3 comments.


caligirl said...
on Aug. 3 2011 at 6:06 pm
I sooo agree! I mean, isnt america supposed to be "Land of the Free"            Oh wait- except for you, you and you.  We only want certain immigrants.  

Aderes47 GOLD said...
on Apr. 29 2011 at 4:59 pm
Aderes47 GOLD, Cambridge, Massachusetts
11 articles 0 photos 897 comments

Favorite Quote:
You will find as you look back upon your life that the moments when you have truly lived are the moments when you have done things in the spirit of love.
Henry Drummond

I agree! :)

Chrissy_L GOLD said...
on Jun. 14 2009 at 1:49 am
Chrissy_L GOLD, Ramsey, New Jersey
13 articles 0 photos 66 comments

Favorite Quote:
An eye for an eye leaves the whole world blind.

I know immigration an issue to the people who proudly flout their label as an "American Citizen"

But we also must consider the immigrants. They are people just like you or I, so why are they barred from the oppertunities we are given? Sure, they broke the law, but they aren't criminals. Many are regular people who ran out of options. They are not treated well, they are underpayed and over worked. Yet somehow, they are still the "bad guys."