1/2) Who do you think is poor, both in the United States and globally?Why do you believe people are poor in the United States and globally?
I think its easy to say that immigrants, more specifically illegal, are poor. Of course not all, but think of how hard it is to get a legitimate well paying job, with benefits when you aren't supposed to be in the country. I know many illegal immigrants who come to this country, work, to send money back home. They live in sacrificed conditions, many people squeezed into one small apartment, and work long hours for low pay. However, if you ask them, they are perfectly content. They came into this country for a new life. To help support their families. $1 earned in this country is worth 6 or more in many others. I can understand that people think illegal immigrants drive down wages. I really can. In a local union where guys are making $20-40/hr, I know for a fact there are many smaller business that do similar work and pay people well below 10. There are people who are willing to do it for less. There always has been and always will be. But how many Americans would take those hard labor jobs for less than $10 an hour? I don't know the statistics, but I'm sure it's a lot harder to find them.
3/4) Speaking of more border control, (Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1996) I don't think that the actual border control will work. Even if you double it. People are going to find a way into this country, even if they have to dig tunnels. I do think that imposing sanctions on the employers hiring illegals would be more effective. But then I wonder how many countries will outsource, aside from the numerous companies that already do. The Welfare Reform took away welfare, food stamps, and medicaid to many illegal immigrants...While it's understandable that there are laws to prevent people from using our system when they are here illegally, what is wrong with this is that these people are coming and have been coming, and aren't necessarily going anywhere. We've learned that keeping people from furthering their education has prevented people from excelling in life. So our immigrant system is pretty much perpetuating the poverty cycle. What about the children that are born to illegal immigrants that are citizens of the US? They will be raised in extremely poor environments, and will have a much harder time growing up.
I think your post definately highlights the advantages and disadvantages of what it mean to be illegal immigrant, and how the status determines the prosperity of the family union and community overall.
ReplyDeleteBut,wWhat do you think can actually be done about the immigrants? Should they be granted an amnesty or some other policies should be implemented?
There is nothing I could say that I would be comfortable in saying would work. I think that the money we would spend to remove the illegals here now could be better used to programs that will help the communities that they live in, which will in turn help the children they had or brought here, and other children and people who are citizens already. I do believe that while it is important to preserver their culture, they should learn English. I know MANY (including family members who came to this country) who learned English. It should be a requirement to know basic English. It is very frustrating I am sure for the numerous government, state, city, etc. workers that have to deal with anyone on a day to day basis that doesn't speak English. The ideal situation would be to grant amnesty and have a better plan implemented for the future.
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