Should the US give undocumented citizens a path to

citizenship?
Caity Mulcahy
Part 1 - From my Experiences
I have lived in section 8 housing for a while now, about 4 or so years. I see a lot of the
people surrounding me are immigrants, illegal and legal. Last year there was a house with 5
kids in it from Mexico. The eldest there was a 16 or 17 year old kid who was taking care of his
little siblings. He was working while they were going to school or staying home. I dont know
many specifics about their situation, like whose name he was paying rent under and how he got
around without a license and other specifics. But the point of their story is that I live with many
immigrants, illegal and legal, and I hear their stories and I hear what they are going through. I
know their daily struggles. Immigration has become a pressing topic in todays conversation all
around the US. People are trying to decide what the right thing to do is. Should we kick all illegal
immigrants out, or should we make a path for them to become citizens?
Another part of my life that has shaped my opinion an this topic, was a few months ago
on Osprey Week I went on a camping trip with a group. One of the days we spent camping in
the Moab desert we all decided to talk about politics and stand in the hot sun while brawling it
out. The main topic was about Trump building a wall to keep the Mexicans and other immigrants
coming to America that way out. Kurt, one of the teachers, brought up his perspective and one
of his points he talked about helping undocumented immigrants instead of pushing them out. He
talked about how NAFTA destabilized the farm economy which provided most of the work for
Mexicans. He talked about how the US basically destroyed their economy. Most of the
Mexicans to whom I have spoke said they wouldnt be here if they didnt have to. They would be
home with their families. But since this is where the jobs are they come to provide for the people
they love.
If you look at the business perspective of why Mexicans are coming to America there is
so much business we are doing with them. Americas businesses are hiring Mexicans because
they are willing to work for whatever price, some dont expect to be paid minimum wage. So
they are cheap workers. As well the business of Americas drug addiction. There is an estimated
19-21 million dollar drug trade profit annually from the U.S. to Mexico. Kurt also talked about the
fact that not all the illegal immigrants are Mexican, so why are we generalizing and picking on
one race? There are people he said he visited in their home countries that claim to have been to
the U.S. to work. So once again why are generalizing one race?
In my opinion we need to let these people who are contributing to our society and just
trying to provide for their families, just like we are, get citizenship. Then I believe strongly the
next step is to make sure we help the places around the world and those that have mass
amounts of people coming here for jobs and for hope. We need to help our neighbors around
the world rebuild their economy or help in whatever way we can, not just destroy them more. If
you look at it from a Utilitarian perspective, which is the philosophy with which I identify, I could

argue that this will increase global economic production as well. So we are not only helping the
people of Mexico, but also people globally while doing this act. This would be the best way to
handle this present day issue.
Part 2: Pro Giving Undocumented Immigrants a Path to Citizenship
How privileged are you? Imagine you wake up, you get out of bed. Walking over to the
bathroom the floor boards yawn as if they are waking up as well. Returning to your room you
walk over to your closet and pick a clean shirt to put on. Grabbing a pair of jeans that have a
few too many holes to be able to call them new you head to the kitchen. You grab a half empty
bottle of water you were drinking last night. Seeing all the dishes that need to be done your
stomach seems to be waking up to. Listening to the roaring command of your body you go over
to the fridge to see what you have. Peering in there are two eggs some cheese and some half
eaten takeout from a few nights ago. You look in your wallet that is sitting on the counter next to
the pile of mail. You see 13 euros. You debate going out and then decide you need a cup of joe
and some food to bring home. Walking down the street to the market you see down the street a
barren neighborhood. Remembering the kids that used to play soccer in the streets. Now
parents are too scared to let their kids out of their site. Arriving at the market you walk to the
back and grab a to go cup. Seeing a couple from a few houses down you start to walk their
direction. You realize the uneasy looks that lay on their faces. They are staring outside the glass
windows of the market. Then you a loud pop, pop. You drop to the ground instinctively. Not
being able to see the gun man you look around. You see the couple, the wife crying over the
husband whos white shirt is slowly soaking up a red stain. The gun men come over and you
realize its the cartel. You dont know what to do, so you make a run for it. Trying to escape
trying to avoid what you have been able to for so long. Being taken by the cartel. Adrenaline
kicking in you dont notice that the pop you just heard came at you. You fall not knowing why. A
severe excruciating pain in your leg arises you look down to see your jeans mimicking the mans
shirt. A fear concors you and renders you motionless. You stare looking around not knowing
what you are looking for or even seeing, but moving to make sure you are still here. You black
out. This is not an average day in America. Variations of this day happen weekly to people all
over Mexico. In America you can wake up, turn your music on get dressed and drink you hot
coffee. You can drive to your occupation and leisurely do what you want or need once your job
is done. We are privileged in America. Helping our fellow people of the world gain a life they are
able to wake up to everyday and feel safe and hopeful is a world we should strive to live in.
In order to deal with the recent fluctuation of illegal immigration in the U.S. the most
appropriate action for the government to do is to create a pathway for undocumented
immigrants to become legal citizens. Undocumented citizen should be able to pursue the
benefits and happiness of freedom. All of which can be provided in America. Why should we
choose to tear families apart if they are contributing to our society, especially since they are
already here and brought their kids and family?
Our NAFTA agreement was one of the reasons for the fall of Mexicos government in the
recent years. The NAFTA agreement destroyed many farmers livings. The farmers consisted of
a large portion of the Mexican communitys job force. Mexico also didnt receive a reduce in the

wage gap as they were told they would through the NAFTA agreement. They actually earned
less than they did when NAFTA was entranced in 1994. NAFTA left Mexico with Z
apatistas, a
group of protesters against NAFTA, on the countryside instead of a better livelihood for farmers
and the Mexican community. Not only did NAFTA create the problem of not holding up its end of
the bargain on the wage and economy, it then created a new problem in Mexicos environment.
As Sonali Kolhatkar explains in After 20 Years, NAFTA Leaves Mexicos Economy in Ruins
how Perez-Rocha, an associate at the Institute for Policy Studies in Washington D.C. and a
Mexican National, has been researching the environmental impact. Sonali Kolhatkar continues
to explain Perez-Rochas findings as he writes:
There has been an increase in export-oriented agriculture that relies on fossil fuels,
chemicals, genetically modified organisms, and the excessive use of water. There has
also been an expansion of environmentally destructive mining activities in Mexico.
Theres been more mining in the last 10 years than in the whole colonial period. There
have been higher levels of air and water pollution as associated with the growth of the
maquiladora factories. And there has been a progressive weakening of domestic
environmental safeguards and expanded powers to corporations to challenge
environmental policies. (1)
In passing NAFTA, the US and Mexican governments destroyed Mexicos economy and
made it so families have no way to take care of themselves. Then wonder why Mexicans sneak
into the US and steal our jobs. This is an invalid claim, according to this New York Times
article, Mexicans actually dont take many of our jobs and resources. Do i mmigrants take jobs
from Americans and lower their wages by working for less? The answer, according to a report
published on Wednesday by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine, is
no, immigrants do not take American jobs but with some caveats (2).So most Mexican
immigrants are coming here only for a job to support themselves or their families back home.
They are coming and becoming an active part of our society. They get jobs, they purchase the
things they need, they contribute.
The citizens of Mexico are living in scared states. They are scared for their families
because of the crime, drugs and drug cartel, their economy, and lastly because the people are
tired of having corrupt leaders and not having a voice. These families just want hope for their
children and their future. Out of the 32 states in Mexico over half are in a corrupt state. Their
kids are being taken by the cartel and are being tortured and raped and worse. Mexicans are
tired of living in fear. Reading an article about one of these stories the child talks about the
experience and his redeclaration of his freedom(3). The article is pretty graphic talking about
how he was tortured and beaten, how he watched the cartel mutilate others for information and
then had to watch them become torches on the mountain side where their ashes would lay
when the fire burned out. A child should not have to go to sleep thinking about how people can
be so cruel, kids shouldnt have to worry about leaving their home because the cartel or
character might take them away, or have to go to school worried that they might take their
family. So parents try to protect their family, they bring their families into the US. They try to
solve the problem they have no control over, so they come to America in hopes of a better
future for their family. Part of the US beliefs is that someone can come from where ever and

have a safe place and a better future in America. Our founding father wanted America to be the
future of all people. So we as a country should be taking action and helping our neighbors.
Looking at this from a Utilitarian perspective you might also argue that giving a path to
citizenship for undocumented immigrants is the appropriate response to the current day issue.
The main philosophy of Utilitarianism is asking the question: What will benefit the most people,
maximizing happiness and utility as much as possible for as many as possible? Giving a path to
citizenship will bring the most utility to the most amount of people. When letting the
undocumented immigrants have a path to citizenship we are not only giving these people hope
and freedom to pursue happiness we are also benefitting from this transaction. Granting
citizenship will help the economy grow in the US. If the current population growth trends
continue according to the Pew Research Center, the US population will grow to 438 million in
2050 from 296 million in 2005. The study says Of the 117 million people added to the
population in this period due to the effect of new immigration, 67 million will be the immigrants
themselves and 50 million will be their U.S.-born children or grandchildren." (3) This means that
as the growth of people in the US the immigration population won't be the minority any longer.
By refusing to give undocumented citizens a path to citizenship we are then just turning away a
population in the US that is already just sitting in limbo and that is growing. (4) Due to the
growth in population and immigrants contribution to that turning immigrants away would be
turning away new ideas and additions to the American labor force, that would be shrinking
without them. This is helping ensure continued growth into the future. N
ot only does helping
undocumented immigrants gain citizenship benefit immigrants, it also benefits the larger society
of America.
Obviously we cant just give everyone a place to stay in the US. That is why giving
undocumented immigrants a path to citizenship, but not stopping there, helping Mexicos
economy and helping rebuild what we have destroyed with the NAFTA and various other
agreements is what America should plan on doing. For example making agreements like
decreasing the minimum wage gap that will actually help benefit Mexico. Making sure that our
industries aren't just taking over Mexico but that Mexico still have farm land and an environment
that they can prosper farming in. As well as helping the process of becoming an American
citizen easier.
The only way America can deal with this issue is to look at the facts and weigh the
options. This option, giving undocumented immigrants a path to citizenship, is the appropriate
way for the US government to handle this issue.
Part 3: Opposed to Giving a Path of Citizenship to Undocumented Citizens
Have you ever been overcome with anger because of hearing of someone cheating?
Hearing about how they cheated the system, about how they took something that everyone else
has to pay for. Or about how they aced the test because they wrote down all the answers on
their sleeve beforehand. Hearing about these people go against all the things that our society
has worked so hard to put in place to keep peace and fairly treat all people. Why do people go
against the law? Open your eyes to see what is happening, people are coming to America

illegally. How should America deal with this recent problem? Giving undocumented citizens a
path to citizenship? Well the answer is quite simple, no.
One of the problems that would occur if the government decided to give illegal
immigrants a path to become citizens would be overcrowding. There would be too many people
using resources that are already being used too quickly. The best example of this is our growing
dependence on foreign supplies. We depend on foreign imports for 28.8% of our energy
consumption. Out of the 28.8 percent two-thirds is for our petroleum products and one-sixth is
our natural gas consumption (5). With the past four generations the US has come to living
beyond our means and we are doing so increasingly as our population is expanding. With illegal
immigrants coming into the country they are causing a serious problem.
Immigrants are using resources that need to be prioritized for American citizens.
Immigrants are using Medicaid, reduced housing and other assists that should be prioritized for
the citizens of this country. The US poverty in 2015 had about 45 million people living below the
poverty line(7). If our citizens need these assists and to be cared for we shouldn't be letting
people who came here illegally be using those. 62% of the population of undocumented
immigrants are using welfare(8). There are about 11.4 million undocumented citizen in the US,
as of 2012(9). This means that 7,068,000 people who are illegally here are using the resources
that people below poverty line could be using. Why not use the resources we have here to
create a better life for people who are legally here and have been here suffering.
If the US decides to give undocumented citizens a path to citizenship this is will also
cause more illegal action. This is called Operant Conditioning. Operant Conditioning is a method
of learning where you learn from rewards and punishments(10). If you do something and get
praised for it or you gain something from it, you will keep doing it because its good. Rewarding
undocumented citizens with citizenship after they came here illegally would show them that the
law is not something they have to go by. The government ignored the law to let them become
citizens, so why should they listen to the law telling them they have to pay taxes, or for those
groceries? Where would it stop? Undocumented immigrants are learning through this method
that the illegal act they are committing is actually ok if we decide to create a path for them to
become citizens. This effect will create higher crime rates in the US. Which is obviously
something that wont improve life in the US. This will create a spiral, one law ignored and
pushed aside becomes two and then three and so on and so forth. Other citizens will ask why
they are required to follow the law. People take advantage of situations. Citizen will want a
solution that is fair for all. Refining the process in which one needs to take in order to become a
citizen is a much better option than giving citizenship to immigrants that came here illegally.
Using the Utilitarian philosophy the paragraphs above show you the points in which you
can use to argue against giving undocumented citizens a path to citizenship. A solution to the
recent problem of immigrants entering the US illegally and questioning whether we should be
deporting that population or giving them citizenship is a hard question to answer. When
weighing the costs and benefits of giving undocumented immigrants a path to citizenship it's just
not worth it. America needs to make sure the citizen of the country are being taken care of and
that the country is in good shape before we decide to let a large group of people. A solution to
the problem isn't just about making sure people come here legally a solution also consists of

making it easier for immigrants to become citizens. America stands for helping all people pursue
happiness. This can happen when all people work together
Citations:
1. (Kolhatkar, Sonali. "After 20 Years, NAFTA Leaves Mexico's Economy in Ruins." C
ommon
Dreams. N.p., 10 Jan. 2014. Web. 26 Oct. 2016.)
2.(Preston)., Julia. "Immigrants Arent Taking Americans Jobs, New Study Finds ..." New York
Times. N.p., 21 Sept. 2016. Web. 26 Oct. 2016.)
3.(Tuckman, Jo. "Tortured Mexican Kidnap Victim Says: 'I Would Sit There Wondering

How People Could Be That Bad'" The Guardian. Guardian News and Media, 2010.
Web. 22 Oct. 2016.)
4.("Whites to Become Minority in U.S. by 2050." R
euters. Thomson Reuters, 2008. Web. 25
Oct. 2016.)
5.(Vallejo, Jody Agius. "Giving US Immigrants a Path to Citizenship Is Key to America's
Economic Growth | Jody Agius Vallejo." T
he Guardian. Guardian News and Media, 17 Apr.
2013. Web. 24 Oct. 2016.)
6. ("Annual Energy Outlook 2007," Table A1, Energy Information Administration, U.S.
Department of Energy.)
7.(Gongloff, Mark. "45 Million Americans Still Stuck Below Poverty Line: Census." The

Huffington Post. TheHuffingtonPost.com, n.d. Web. 19 Oct. 2016.)

8.("FIgure 1 and 3 Composition of Immigrant Households, 2012." (n.d.): n. pag. Web.
9.(Lewis, Jonathan. "Wikipedia." Encyclopedia of Global Studies (n.d.): n. pag. Web.)
10.(Https://www.facebook.com/verywell. "Operant Conditioning: What You Need to
Know." Verywell. N.p., n.d. Web. 20 Oct. 2016.)