Whenever I visit my parents home, I notice that their television is always tuned to the lastest breaking news on U.S. immigration. Normally I would change stations or initiate conversation other than the latest CNN reportings. But on this one particular day, I felt the need to inquire on the immigration issues that kept my parents eyes glued to their television set. Upon observation were protests on Capitol Hill of opposers to the Trump Administration’s immigration policies and enforcement tactics as well as angered debates between politicians.
Myself, a native born and raised citizen, never cared to follow the ongoing controversy and the impact it had on so many people worldwide. I guess it’s safe to say that I never thought it effected me, at least indirectly. Such impacts like the job competition between american born citizens and immigrants, the loss of economic growth, as well the negative emotional and intellectual effect on immigrants are the cons to immigration. Then there are positive impacts that offer resolution to the loss of workers through retirement and old ageing, those that enhance productivity within the economy, and a better way of life for all that encourage U.S. immigration.
When asked by my English professor to write an exploratory essay on an issue of genuine interest, my thoughts were influenced by the controversial immigration issues in today’s society. At first I instantly sympathized with the anger expressed by protestors opposing deportation of immigrants believing that America should be the land of opportunity for all, but then I realized that I must take into account the views of those protesting in favor of deportation. Upon observing the frustration from both parties, the most pondering question is, “Should America Be Considered The Land of The Free for All?”
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I began my research with an article, “The U.S. Immigration Debate” by Claire Felter and Danielle Nenwik by exploring the immigrant population within the U.S. Felter and Renwick compared the immigration population from the 1800’s to today as having a decrease of 1 percent. However, the illegal immigrants undocumented increased by 40 percent, while the reported illegal immigrants reported by the Customs and Border Protection reported a 26 percent decrease in 2017. Even with many policies enforced by the U.S. to stop illegal entry into America, both authors feel that there are still an significant amount of illegal immigrants living within the US. Prior to reading the article, I didn’t understand the great desire for foreigners to step foot on American soil until researching the great numbers of immigrants in living in the US illegally. This leads me to believe that there must be greater opportunity for these immigrants than in their own native born country.
With the question in mind of whether America should allow citizenship to all, I wanted to consider the thoughts that Americans had on the increasing percentages of immigrants, especially in relation to the job market. I, as well as many are Americans, find it best to be in favor of the government supporting the immigrants on their journey to citizenship, even though they make up 45 percent of domestic workers with possibly even more growing percentages. If immigration numbers are steady, according to the Pew Research Center, the U.S. economy workforce will steadily grow to 183.2 million. I decided to research further into the influence that immigrants have on the workforce and how it affects the native born workers since immigration seems to be favored by Felter and Renwick.
According to the article “Donald Trump on Immigration, Pros and Cons of His Policie”, by Kimberly Amadeo, seeing how immigrants make up such a substantial amount of workers, deporting immigrants could cost the economy billions of dollars for deportation and hurt the native born citizen employment status. Farmers and US manufacturers workers employs many immigrants for lower pay wages which takes away from the US citizens employment which may require higher pay wages. Also, employers may have to cut back on supply due to reduced productivity as a result of immigrant workers being deported. Even upon considering the dangers of competing for jobs between the native born citizen and immigrants, I understand that if the U.S. deports immigrants rather than offering support first, a halt in the progress of productivity of goods within the economy could cause drastic circumstantial changes for all.
I then wanted to approach the immigration issue from the immigrants directly involved with deportation. I googled immigration deportation and came across an article called “Deportation and family separations impact entire communities, researchers say.” The article, written by Jennifer Mcnulty, was an interview between the author and the University of California’s psychology professor Regina Langhout. In the interview, Langhout discusses the negative effects from seperating children from their parents due to deportation or detainment.
Langhout argues that an entire community is torn apart not just one family when families are separated from each other. Langhoust then continues to debate the issue by enclosing results from a study initiated with fellow colleagues that highlights the trauma experienced by those children affected by deportation. The conclusions revealed the emotional and psychological issues obtained by these children, such as depression, withdrawal, and anxiety. I can only imagine how such trauma can continue well into adulthood which will affect society’s future. I can see how Langhoust’s concerns relate to Felter and Renwick’s article in ways that may affect the entire community and the economy as well.
With so many children forcibly abandoned by their parents, mental health treatments may have to be initiated at the cost of the taxpayers and the economy as well. Langhoust also considers this issue a public health issue because separation builds up a wall between those victim of deportation separation and others in the surrounding community. This may result in social anxiety if left unaddressed, which affects the communities wellness. Mcnulty concludes her article by citing Langhoust saying that if America is going to have communities of “all different backgrounds” united, it is vital for all to feel “a sense of attachment.”
Mcnulty’s article did make me feel a sense of humanity for all. I believe that Felter and Renwick’s article leaned more so towards concern for the economy and less on mankind. Yes, I do agree with their article that it is imperative for a society to be economically stable in order to be productive, but I feel that Langhoust’s argument is more of a critical need for members of society to possess a stable mind and body in order to contribute to an effective economy.
There was one particular article that further explained the anger behind the reoccuring protests in the U.S. Luis Sanchez wrote the article, “US border control: Constructing the border wall is underway” of The Hill. In his article Sanchez speaks on the construction progress of the border wall initiated by the Trump Administration, which will scale thousands of miles across the US and Mexican border reaching as tall as 30 feet in height. Per President Trump , the wall could cost the an estimated $25 billion over a 10 year span in which he continues to impose the cost on Mexico. Amadeo spoke on the wall in his article saying that the idea of the wall is opposed by both republicans and democrats due to Mexico’s refusal to take on the expense of such magnitude considering it’s ineffectiveness to secure the border sufficiently.
As I conclude my journey through the world of politics on such social issues, such as immigration in the U.S., I have come to appreciate both side of the debate and its effect on America’s economy as well as the lives of many worldwide. I’ve come to consider immigration as a problem for American citizens and those with high hopes of achieving the “american dream” of equal opportunity. The eagerness and determination of illegal immigrants has raised my eyebrow in questioning the opportunity for all to escape poverty and injustice in their own native land.
I do believe that America should encourage and support the opportunity for those attempting to escape their country for better with good intentions while on U.S. soil. I visited Washington D.C this summer and my parents were concerned for my safety, but i escaped being subjected to such protest due to it being the weekend. Although I must admit that I would have liked to be able to participate in protest for immigration. I remember taking a picture of a deserted front entrance to the US immigration building, thinking how erupt that picture would have looked if it was photographed during the business week. We are accustomed to freedom of speech and the right to protest and Americans are exercising these rights today more than ever. Throughout my exploration, I can only conclude that the desperation to live in “the land of the free” and the risk taken by refugees deserves moral and ethical solutions for humankind, even if its through acts of protest and that they should be entitled to American citizenship.
Works Cited
- Amadeo, Kimberly. “Donald Trump on Immigration, Pros and Cons of His Policies: Pros and cons of Donald Trump.” The Balance, Dotdash, 9, Nov. 2018.
- Felter, Claire and Danielle Renwick, “The US Immigration Debate.” Council on Foreign Relations, 2 July, 2018.
- Mcnulty, Jennifer, “Deportation and family separation impact entire communities, researchers say.” University of California, 1, Aug, 2018.
- Sanchez, Luis, “US Border Control: Construction of the border wall is underway.” The Hill, 31 March, 2018.
