Some Americans believe that illegal immigrants are beneficial to the US economy through added tax revenue and the fulfillment of the low-pay labor pool. They also think that these illegal immigrants are filling needed positions in the work force that Americans won’t take. Often people argue that opposition to immigration comes from racism or protectionism. Others believe that immigrants bring motivational values such as working hard to realize the American dream. Most Americans descend from immigrants and if their relatives were not welcomed where would America be today. While these views are understandable it is important in the Socratic method to look at all sides of an issue and to challenge these ideas.
The People who do not agree with illegal immigration, believe that people crossing the border without proper documentation or overstaying their visas should be deported. They argue that people in the country illegally are criminals and social and economic burdens to the country and tax-paying Americans. America is a country that provides many opportunities including public school, emergency services and social services. Many people believe that these services are degraded and taken advantage of when more people are using them than paying for them.
These are some of the reasons why the US government has taken so long to develop a fair system that accommodates everyone. How do you determine which families can stay and become citizens? How do you determine if the working father gets deported or the single mom? Who determines if giving an immigrant a job will take it away from a citizen? There are many questions that do not necessarily have one right answer. Keeping an open mind is essential, and the only way to create a reasonable solution is to have empathy and understanding for the issues.
I defintley see where your coming from and I understand that we need to look at this from both sides if the issue. From taking Social Justice, I know that many immigrants come over illegally because the process takes to long and not all people are accepted. I also see it from the other side as people invading our country and its true that they may not all be good people looking for work. In the end I see where both sides are coming from and I agree that we need to have an understanding of this issue.
ReplyDeleteShea, good job of framing the immigration issues our country is facing. If more people, on both sides the political spectrum, could recognize that elements of truth exists from both liberal and conservative perspectives, then the open-mindedness you talk about might be possible. However, it's hard to met in the middle if one person or political party thinks they solely posses the truth.
ReplyDeleteI love the questions within the article. They really help me think about both sides of the argument. I personally don't know how I feel about illegal immigrants because I know that they help our economy a lot, but at the same time they are breaking a serious law.
ReplyDeleteThey came to america for their america dream, and some of they just want to have a job to support their family. But some people thought they are criminals because they breaking the law. This is a very difficult issue to solve
ReplyDeleteI really like the way you questioned what you've read. it also helps people who aren't familiar with discussion about immigration to truly see two sides of the story.
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