Debates over current policy and immigration reform

National leaders must pay attention to immigration reform. They must give it top priority and concentrate on bringing about a thorough, bipartisan overhaul of immigration laws. All Americans concur that deporting 11 million lawbreakers who have children who are citizens of the United States and who contribute significantly to the economy is not something the nation can afford to do. Nonetheless, opinions on how to fix this problem vary widely.

Legalization of Immigrants Without Documents

Undocumented immigrants contribute greatly to both our nation and their communities. As taxes and consumers, they boost the country's birthrate, fund social welfare programs, and contribute to our economy. Frequently, their offspring become law-abiding, productive adults. Restricting them to a life of shadows and denying them the chance to make a positive impact on society and provide a bright future for their family is ludicrous and goes against American principles. Many proponents of immigration reform would establish an earned legalization program for undocumented immigrants, which would include agricultural workers and those who were brought here as children. In order to participate in these programs, individuals would need to register, clear background and national security checks, pay fees and fines, and pick up English. Individuals and their family members may apply for citizenship and lawful permanent residence after fulfilling these requirements. Increased competition for jobs, according to critics of this strategy, will drive down pay for current employees; however, research indicates that this will not have a significant effect.

Removal of Unauthorized Immigrants

A variety of laws aim to reduce the number of unauthorized immigrants residing in the nation. Some contend that because they accept lower-paying occupations and depend on social welfare programs, they are a financial burden. Some draw attention to the fact that their kids usually grow up to be law-abiding adults who boost the economy. Numerous members of Congress, as well as the Obama administration, have suggested extending earned legalization to undocumented immigrants. However, the majority of now-undocumented people may be excluded due to the many requirements that may be necessary, such as job and English proficiency. Illegal immigrants typically come to our country in search of better economic possibilities for their families. Adopting a policy that separates their families or results in their deportation is irrational and goes against our moral principles. Millions of jobs would be created, the economy would grow, and families would remain together through a just and thorough legalization process. In order to keep America competitive in the global economy, it would also be beneficial to invest in innovation and lower the deficit.

Border Protection

Improving border security and giving illegal immigrants a path to legal status have been two of the main objectives of immigration reform in the US. Numerous bills have passed Congress but not been signed into law. The most recent example was in 2013, when a group of senators from both parties crafted a comprehensive bill that did not comply with Republican demands. Numerous Republicans are advocating for stricter enforcement of the law because they believe that the present immigration policy is too lax. They contend that the need to maintain family unity must be weighed against the lure of jobs. Additionally, they want to make sure that immigration enforcement upholds due process rights while improving community safety and national security. Democrats, however, are worried about several issues with the present immigration regulations. They think that dealing with the underlying causes of migration is crucial. They have also underlined the necessity of working with Mexico to find a solution to the issue of migrant flows.

Benefits of Immigration

Services offered by federal and state programs to individuals who meet specific qualifying standards are referred to as immigration benefits. As of right now, immigrants without legal status are only eligible for a restricted number of federal benefits, including health care, public education, and work authorization. Some people may be eligible for a variety of different programs that are managed by the states, such as cash welfare, subsidized private health insurance, daycare, housing, supplemental nutrition, and food assistance. There are legislative ideas that could enable undocumented immigrants to get legal status and integrate fully into society, potentially leading to a rise in the utilization of these benefits by these persons. Research indicates that a greater number of undocumented immigrants entering the labor force will benefit native-born workers by increasing overall economic production and making positive fiscal contributions to the government through higher pay and tax compliance rates. Congress is now considering a number of these suggestions. It is anticipated that the 113th Congress will take up comprehensive immigration reform legislation that will affect almost every aspect of the current system.