Argumentative essay example.

Argumentative essay example on the Illegal Immigration Issue
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> The Illegal Immigration argument
> It is true that illegal immigration is a divisive topic as well as a real problem. Many Americans have differing views on the issue. Some believe there are benefits to illegal immigration (or that it is not a big deal) and then there are others that have strong opposition toward illegal immigration (it is a big deal). Solutions to the problem have been offered. Some of these solutions may be viable while others might not be. Public administrators have a difficult task when it comes to illegal immigration as countless others have tried and have not been successful at solving this problem. The following is a discussion on 1) stating the problem, 2) the background of the problem, 3) what policy options are available and finally 4) the policy recommendations available.
> Statement of the problem
> America’s exceptional status as a “nation of immigrants” is being challenged by globalization, which is making both migration and terrorism much easier. The biggest challenge for policymakers is distinguishing illusory immigration problems from real problems. Members of Congress have been trying for years to craft a comprehensive law; however, this might be easier said than done. The various efforts have focused on a wide variety of changes in current policy, including improving border security, strengthening employer verification of employment, establishing a new temporary guest worker program, and offering some level of amnesty to illegal immigrants currently living in the United States. At present, these proposals are working their way through the legislative process.
> Background: Illegal Immigration
> Illegal immigration into the United States is massive in scale. More than 10 million undocumented aliens currently reside in the U.S., and that population is growing by 700,000 per year (Kane and Johnson, 2006). On one hand, the presence of so many aliens is a powerful testament to the attractiveness of America. On the other hand, it is a sign of how dangerously open the U.S. borders are.The America-Mexico border is 1,940 miles long (Colorado Alliance for Immigration Reform, n.d.). On average, 10,000 illegal immigrants cross the border every day, totaling to over 3 million per year. One third will be caught and many will try again. About half of those remaining will become permanent U.S. residents (3,500 per day). A quarter-million illegal aliens from the Middle-east currently live in the U.S, and a growing number are entering via the Mexican border. Typical illegal aliens come to America primarily for better jobs and in the process add value to the U.S. economy. However, they also take away value by weakening the legal and national security environment. When three out of every 100 people in America are undocumented (or, rather, documented with forged and faked papers), there is a profound security problem (Kane and Johnson, 2006). Even though they pose no direct security threat, the presence of millions of undocumented migrants distorts the law, distracts resources, and effectively creates a cover for terrorists and criminals. In other words, the real problem presented by illegal immigration is security, not the supposed threat to the economy. Indeed, efforts to curtail the economic influx of migrants actually worsen the security dilemma by driving many migrant workers underground, thereby encouraging the culture of illegality. Options and efforts have been made such as, border security enforcement via the military or carding those individuals that may look like they are here illegally (as governor Janet Brewer in Arizona is attempting). However, 1) the military does not get involved in domestic policy under any but the gravest conditions and 2) racial profiling in Arizona is not the solution rather a bigger problem for Ms. Brewer. Solutions should be more thought out more concise if they are to be viable ones.
> Policy options available
> Pros-Those who support illegal immigration make strong arguments. One of those arguments is that illegal immigrants generate additional tax revenue thus assisting the U.S. economy. Another strong argument is that these immigrants often perform jobs that American citizen’s won’t (i.e. lawn work, janitorial and/or maid services). Finally, supporters suggest that they bring good values and motivations consistent with the American dream (procon.org, 2011). Still, there is the argument by supporters that say that the issue of immigration is more of a racism issue rather than anything else.
> Cons-Those that are against illegal immigration also make a strong argument to support their opposition. One of those arguments is that illegal immigrants are criminals and social and economic burdens to law-abiding, taxpaying Americans (procon.org, 2011). These individuals feel that the immigrants are intruders and concessions should not be made for them. They argue that the cheap labor isn’t worth all the burdens they bring (i.e. crime, children they can’t afford, a culture and language that isn’t American).
> Solutions-Among the solutions offered are: legalization of illegal immigrants, amnesty, a fence along the border between the United States and Mexico and finally the enforcement of existing immigration laws. Legalization involves the process whereby qualified illegal aliens gain the right to reside permanently in the United States. The idea of deporting over 10 million illegal immigrants is pure idealistic and fantasy. The consequences would be devastating both for social and economical factors. America would spend billions of dollars in deporting all of these individuals only to have them return. Families would be split as U.S. citizen children would be separated from the illegal alien parents. ⌠There is only one practical solution, and it is a solution that respects the history of the nation: offer those already here the opportunity to earn permanent status and keep families together (Bloomberg, 2006). A second solution would be amnesty. Amnesty involves granting legal status to a group of individuals unlawfully present in a country. More importantly, amnesty overlooks the alien’s illegal entry and creates a legal status that allows the recipient to live and work in the country. Amnesty won’t depress wages – globalization has already done that. Amnesty will not undermine the rule of law… It sounds counterintuitive, but with immigration, forgiving a crime may be the best way to restore law and order. Amnesty won’t necessarily add to the social-services burden… Amnesty would offer millions… a fighting chance at self-sufficiency and social mobility (Thornburgh, 2007). A third solution would be building a fence along the border. For some boarders such as is the Texas and California border a fence is already a reality. Fencing helps secure the nation▓s border because criminal activity in every statistical category has been eliminated or decreased since the building of it. ⌠What was once a porous border, susceptible to illegal aliens, drug trafficking and terrorism, is now the standard mode in preventing drug smugglers from bringing narcotics into our neighborhoods and allowing border enforcement personnel to reinforce areas of greater need (Duncan, 2007). Building fences in strategic locations has proven to be a helpful and safe method to deter crime activity and aid border patrol agents. Finally, a solution of stricter enforcement of existing immigration laws is a positive solution. Action is needed in order to enforce laws that are on the books. Reasonable enforcement measures can significantly reduce the number of illegal border crossings. Continued crackdowns on businesses that have hired illegal aliens would also help the government regain credibility in this area. Lack of enforcement has been the central problem of immigration policy Congress can design the most elegant legal and administrative framework imaginable, but it won’t matter if the immigration authorities are not permitted to use it to enforce the law (Krikorian, 2003). Consistency through enforcement is a great way to combat the problem.
> Policy Recommendations
> From the above solutions the most viable solutions would be the amnesty solution as well as the strict enforcement of laws. An amnesty would allow the illegal immigrants to feel comfortable in coming forward and obtain their legalization the right way. Amnesty, combined with serious penalties for employers that hire undocumented workers in the future, is the only real way out of the situation the United States▓ is currently in. It is the most decent option as well as the option most likely to secure the border and end the system of undocumented worker exploitation. Deportation is not an option as it would be terribly unfair and impractical. Amnesty would decide the fate of those undocumented workers who currently live in this country.
> Final thoughts
> Illegal immigration is an increasing problem in the United States. It is also true that border patrol/custom agencies are understaffed and relief is needed. The military should not be involved. Laws that are currently in place should be strictly enforced. If enforced in a reasonable and targeted manner so as to deter and discourage illegal immigration. Lack of enforcement is the central problem without it any other effort will not be successful. Offering a plan out is the best solution. It is apparent that this has been an ongoing problem for years and it will also take time to get the solution implemented and working. Patience and persistence is needed in order to succeed and tackle such a big problem.
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