Illegal immigration is an issue facing many countries worldwide. People immigrate for a variety of reasons such as safety, hunger, opportunity and politics. Unfortunately, illegal immigration has become a topic of debate as many politicians do not wish to take an unpopular stance to either enforce current laws or propose changes which may or may not impact political careers. Unfortunately escapism by illegal immigrants solves nothing in their homelands and creates dissension among residents of the many countries tasked with a solution to their presence.
For example in the United States, an estimated 11.2 million undocumented immigrants reside across America. Approximately 60% are from Mexico escaping poverty and unrest, and easily smuggled in with a system of coyotes and by other means. With such an extensive border, the United States does not have the resources to watch all parts.
Let’s look at statistics for a moment:
Did you know that as of September 2, 2011?
More than 37 billion American dollars have been wired to Mexico since January 2006. Approximately 5.5 million illegal children are in US Schools. More than 176 billion American dollars have been spent on education of illegal children since 1996. More than 397 billion American dollars have been spent on social services for illegal immigrants since 1996. Almost 500 thousand illegal immigrants incarcerated at an average cost of approximately 24 thousand American dollars a year as of 2006. More than 12 million illegal immigrants in skilled positions. More than 5 million anchor babies since 2002.
At a time when education has faced deep funding cuts, there is talk of funding illegal education at higher levels. At a time when our schools are overcrowded, programs cut and school costs rising have people questioned the funds spent on children who should not be in this country? With so many elder Americans struggling to make ends meet, the American government has allowed 397 billion in social services to be spent on undocumented people.
No one wants to make the hard decision to require the laws be followed. Politicians try to smooth over the issue passing Dream Acts or creating asylum cities. And some states such as New Mexico and Washington make getting a driver’s license easy. With a coveted driver’s license, using and abusing the American system becomes easier. Didn’t’ we learn anything from 9/11?
When states such as Arizona or Alabama in frustration try to resolve their problems, illegal alien supporters rush to support the rights of illegal immigrants, and courts get involved striking down parts or all their laws. Countries such as Mexico, Brazil and Guatemala have voiced that any immigration laws in Georgia would adversely affect relations between the US and them. Foreign governments dictating how Americans should run America, should American’s be worried about this interference? We live in the United States of America, not the United States of the world.
Imagine, to the surprise of many Americans that Labor Secretary Hilda Solis has pledged to protect the rights of workers no matter if what immigration status the workers hold. Increasingly, America appears to reward illegal immigrants, providing them all the privileges and rights as Americans and other legal immigrants. Although exploitation is deplorable, these same people have placed themselves in these positions by working without proper documentation.
Humanitarians argue undocumented people will not report crimes, exploitation or put themselves in situations where their legal status is questioned. The flip side of this argument is how many Americans have been victimized in accidents where undocumented people have had accidents and run. Too many people make too many excuses, protecting people for all the wrong reasons instead of preventing the possibility of victimization by enforcing laws.
Although many people may argue America is a land of immigrants, America also has laws and systems for lawful immigration. To lawfully immigrate to the United States, many wait years for the privilege and an illegal immigrant can arrive, get a license, social services, educated, and other services. What is wrong with this scenario?
Are we undermining the privilege of being American, or immigrating to America by turning a blind eye to illegal immigrants? In a time of tough economics, why is America spending monies on people who are breaking the laws of America? Why do Americans allow their politicians to NOT address this issue at a time when so much of this money should be spent on lawful immigrants and Americans?
America prides herself on being a land of freedoms, but is the freedom of Americans being usurped by allowing illegal immigrants to sue because a farmer in Arizona wanted to defend his land? Is the freedom of Americans being undermined by humanitarian and civil liberty groups rising to defend the rights of exploited illegal immigrants? If policies are enforced, penalties upheld, employers would not be hiring such people and without jobs, illegal immigrants would hopefully think twice about entering America.
Unfortunately illegal immigration is added to the list of inaction by the American politicians from the top office down. As politicians do nothing to return manufacturing to America and continue to allow tax shelters and other corporate loopholes, why should immigration be handled in any different manner? An unemployment rate of 9.1%, the loss of the manufacturing sector, a depressed economy and millions of illegal immigrants, no wonder Americans are stressed and upset.
http://roygermano.wordpress.com/2011/03/18/how-many-illegal-immigrants-live-in-the-united-states-and-where-do-they-come-from/
http://immigrationcounters.com/
http://www.humanevents.com/article.php?id=45906
Mexico, other countries join Ga. immigration suit