Hunter 1

Cris Hunter
Lisa Bickmore
English 2010
Report: Immigration

Immigration is a big topic, with the election coming up and debates and sound
bites being a part of daily news its hard not to try and find where you stand on this. On one end
of the spectrum we have people that think we need a giant wall to keep all immigrants out, and
on the other we have birthright citizenship and considering naturalization for those who are
already here illegally. Everyone seems to have an opinion but what really are the facts?

The 14th Amendment of our Constitution which was ratified on July 9, 1868 defines the
rules for the standards of citizenship. It directly states, All persons born or naturalized in the
United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the
State wherein they reside. No State shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the
privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States; nor shall any State deprive any person
of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor deny to any person within its
jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws. Compared to other countries our laws for
providing citizenship could be defined as generous even, only though as long as these laws are
respected and obeyed. That is why when these laws are taken advantage of it brings people to a
war of words and anger. Between 1990 and 2006 the rate of people illegally entering the US
increased rapidly. After Border patrol agents nearly doubled and our economic downturn in 2006
that number began to stable out.

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So who are these people illegally entering our country. In 2010 the US Census estimated
that approximately three-fourths of all illegal immigrants were Hispanic, the next largest being
area being Asia. Whats still astounding is that arrests for Hispanics crossing the borders
continues to rise. Ninety-one of percent of all people arrested for crossing illegally were Mexican
the highest rate being at 1.7 Million.

So where are people standing on this hot topic? Many Americans are in support of those
crossing illegally have actually made it very idealistic for those whom have immigrated illegally.
Three of the largest cities in the US are actually big supporters of them. These towns are known
are sanctuary cities and are a refuge for those who have made the big cross over. How do these
cities help? The biggest thing that they do is avoid cooperating with Federal authorities seeking
these illegal immigrants. In fact, the governments there have instructed not only all other
government personal, but the police as well to protect theses immigrants. Many whom are highly

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opposed to this say that what these cities are doing are unconstitutional and are creating their
own immigration laws which only Congress can do. Now why would these cities do this?
Looking at cons of immigration, wouldnt the risk outweigh the gain for these people, or was this
done solely just out of the niceness of their hearts. Probably a little bit of both. According to the
city authorities there though, the benefits have actually outweighed the costs. In fact, the illegal
immigrants have brought in about $7 Billion per year into the Social Security System all from
which not being document they will not receive the slightest benefit from. And according to a
peer reviewed journal The Tax Lawyer illegal immigrants actually pay more in taxes then they
cost in social services. Another way people are supporting illegal immigrants is by forming
groups to help those attempting to cross over. One of these groups; called No More Deaths
actually patrols the Mexican Border and offers medical aid, food, and water to those crossing.
Their main goal obviously being to reduce serious injury or death that afflict many crossing.

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So now that we seen the supporters of the immigrant crisis, lets look at the contrasting
side. One of the biggest groups that oppose this is (FAIR) Federation for American Immigration
Reform. They cite
several studies
showing illegal
immigrants cost the
American
government more
then they end up
paying in taxes. Not
only do they stiff on
the taxes apparently
but they also take from our public education health care and other services provided to us as a
community. There has also been the Minutemen Project that has been repeatedly lobbied at
Congress for. The point of the project is to increase the enforcement of immigration by the
government as those who dont see it strict enough have been taking into their own hands. These
groups being white supremacy groups or vigilante groups who think they know above the law.
These groups have seriously injured and sometimes even killed those whom they believe to be
illegal immigrants. Another complaint people have had for illegal immigrants is that they are
ruining the beauty of the wildlife around us. According to Arizonas Fish and Wildlife Service 45
abandoned cars along with approximately 9 tons of garbage. As if that wasnt enough, fires set
by illegal immigrants sometimes raged out of control and burnt over 68,000 acres and cost $5.1
million to extinguish.

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There have been many reasons to be pro or con for immigration, now of all the things that
have been shared it comes down to what facts morally motivate you. Personally it could go either
way with everything presented. With elections coming up its something that is definitely
important. So who will you support?
Works Cited

Johansen, Bruce E. "Illegal Immigration." Salem Press Encyclopedia (2015): Research

Starters. Web. 6 Mar. 2016.

"Primary Documents in American History." 14th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution:

Primary Documents of American History (Virtual Programs & Services, Library of Congress). 25
Nov. 2015. Web. 06 Mar. 2016.