Luciana Beltran Justinianoterm Paper Proposaldan Cicenia3 March 2021ho ✓ Solved

Luciana Beltran Justiniano Term Paper Proposal Dan Cicenia 3 March 2021 How do American Politics react to Illegal Immigration? Objective: For this term paper, my main topic is the handling of immigration by the American government. It is known that America is a country positively affected by immigration. Whether good or bad, this is a topic that citizens and politicians widely discuss. This brings us to the question, is the American government properly handling the country's immigration problems to maintain the U.S. in order?

Immigration is separated from illegal and legal citizens. Their processes of handling are entirely different. Nevertheless, the point that bothers the government or politics is the illegal citizens and their effect on their development. Since the country does not have data from these citizens, they are considered disturbing to the country’s economies. Illegal Immigrants do not pay taxes, and they work and receive from the country’s resources.

For those reasons, unlawful immigration in the US may be a highly relevant issue to analyze. Since it is such a deliciated process, I decided to analyze how American politics react to illegal immigration. What parts of the government act when there is an issue with this topic? Does unlawful immigration have an actual harmful effect on the order of the country? With this investigation, I also intend to see if the American government is handling well this recurrent problem and see how they do it and finally understand the pros and cons of their process.

Term Paper proposal Outline. Handling of Immigration by The American Government 1.Introduction. 1. Explaining some points of the United States’ status in the U.S. (What is the US currently doing to handle it? 2.

Thesis i. Does the American government well handle the undocumented immigration process to maintain everything in order? 2. Body 1. Some Immigration History 2.

Undocumented immigrants i. How many of them are? ii. What benefits they have? iii. What they can or cannot do 3. Deportation i.

Its process ii. Numbers of deported immigrants. 4. Immigration Handling by the Government i. Pros and Cons ii.

Is it working? 3.Conclusion iii. American political methods are working to deal with this issue?

Paper for above instructions

How American Politics React to Illegal Immigration

Introduction

The United States, often referred to as a "nation of immigrants," has a long and intricate history with immigration that contributes to its diverse demographic, cultural richness, and economic strengths. However, illegal immigration remains a topic of heated debate within American politics, for it raises questions about national sovereignty, economic impact, social services, and humanitarian concerns. Given the controversy surrounding this issue, examining how the American government and its political apparatus respond to illegal immigration is imperative. This paper aims to explore the historical context of immigration, the current state of undocumented immigrants, the processes of deportation, and critically assess the government's handling of illegal immigration to determine if effective measures are in place to maintain order within the country.

Immigration History

Immigration to the United States has evolved considerably through different historical epochs, shaped by wars, economic opportunities, and socio-political movements. The Immigration Act of 1924 established national quotas that favored immigration from Northern and Western Europe, which lasted until the mid-20th century (Ngai, 2004). However, the vacuum created by these restrictions led to a rise in illegal immigration, particularly from Latin America. The passage of the Immigration and Reform Control Act of 1986 aimed to address this issue by offering amnesty to approximately three million undocumented immigrants, while simultaneously making it illegal for employers to knowingly hire undocumented workers (Baker, 2016).
In the 21st century, the conversation around immigration has grown more polarized. The events of 9/11 shifted immigration policy, leading to increased border security and stricter regulations. Various administrations have attempted to frame illegal immigration as a security threat, emphasizing the need for stricter enforcement of immigration laws while also promoting reform (Schmidt, 2018).

Undocumented Immigrants

As of recent estimates, there are approximately 10 to 11 million undocumented immigrants living in the United States, predominantly from Mexico and Central America (Pew Research Center, 2021). Despite being outside the legal framework, undocumented immigrants contribute significantly to the economy. Studies indicate that unauthorized immigrants contribute billion to Social Security annually, primarily through payroll taxes, as they often use false Social Security numbers (Center for American Progress, 2019). Yet, they are often denied access to government services such as healthcare and public education (Passel & Cohn, 2019).
The illegal status of these immigrants restricts their abilities regarding employment rights and protection, housing, and mobility. They are often vulnerable to exploitation and cannot easily access legal resources (Menjivar, 2020). This situation complicates the societal integration of undocumented individuals and often fuels nativist sentiments.

Deportation

Deportation remains a critical instrument in the United States' strategy for managing illegal immigration. It is estimated that deportations rose sharply during the Obama administration, with more than 3 million people deported during his two terms. The Trump administration, promoting strict immigration enforcement as a core policy, significantly expanded deportation efforts, leading to the deportation of an estimated 1 million immigrants, many of whom had no criminal records (Capps, 2019). The process of deportation frequently involves family separations and a lack of due process, raising ethical questions regarding the impact on communities and families.
While deportation is viewed as a necessary enforcement action by some policymakers, critics argue that it creates a damaging climate of fear within immigrant communities, deterring individuals from reporting crimes or accessing public services (Gonzales, 2016). This approach can have deleterious effects on public safety and community cohesion, revealing the complexity of balancing enforcement with humanitarian considerations.

Immigration Handling by the Government

The American government's handling of illegal immigration can be assessed through various lenses, predominantly considering the pros and cons of its policies and whether these measures foster a sustainable solution.
Pros:
1. Security Measures: Enhanced border security is posited as vital for national security. Proponents argue that securing borders prevents illegal crossings and protects the labor market for American citizens (Hanson, 2018).
2. Economic Arguments: Supporters of strict immigration policies assert that illegal immigration poses risks to wages and job availability, particularly in low-skilled job markets. Addressing undocumented immigration is seen as crucial to preserving jobs for native-born Americans (Borjas, 2017).
Cons:
1. Social Costs: The enforcement-centric approach often leads to the separation of families and heightened fear among immigrant communities, contributing to social disintegration rather than cohesion (Chacón, 2017).
2. Economic Contributions: Many economists argue that illegal immigrants are essential contributors to certain sectors, including agriculture, construction, and service industries (Friedman, 2019). Their labor supports economic growth and compensates for labor shortages in low-wage jobs.

Conclusion

The question of whether American politics effectively manage illegal immigration is complex. While enforcement measures, such as deportation and stricter border controls, address certain security concerns, they often overlook the broader socio-economic contributions of undocumented immigrants and can lead to detrimental outcomes for families and communities. A balanced approach that recognizes the contributions of undocumented immigrants while establishing clear paths for legal immigration may offer a more effective long-term solution. Continued dialogue among policymakers and stakeholders is necessary to pave the way for comprehensive immigration reform that takes into account both national interests and humanitarian concerns.

References

1. Baker, C. (2016). The History of American Immigration Policy. Oxford Press.
2. Borjas, G. J. (2017). "Immigration and the American Worker: A Review of the Evidence." NBER Working Paper Series.
3. Capps, R. (2019). "The Impact of Immigration Enforcement on Immigrant Communities." Urban Institute.
4. Center for American Progress. (2019). "The Fiscal Impact of Undocumented Immigrants." Retrieved from [https://www.americanprogress.org/](https://www.americanprogress.org/)
5. Chacón, J. M. (2017). "The Racialization of Immigration Law." UCLA Law Review.
6. Friedman, D. (2019). "Economic Impact of Immigration Policies." Economic Policy Institute.
7. Gonzales, R. G. (2016). "Lives in Limbo: Undocumented and Coming of Age in America." University of California Press.
8. Hanson, G. H. (2018). "Immigration, Trade, and American Workers." Journal of Economic Perspectives.
9. Menjivar, C. (2020). "Undocumented Migration: A Complex Landscape." Annual Review of Sociology.
10. Ngai, M. (2004). Impossible Subjects: Illegal Aliens and the Making of Modern America. Princeton University Press.
This paper provides a comprehensive exploration of how American political structures respond to illegal immigration, highlighting the necessity for a multifaceted approach that respects the contributions of immigrants while ensuring national security and a just legal framework.