Amnesty for Illegal Aliens
Amnesty for illegal aliens in the United States is a current political hot-button issue that leaves much of the nation divided. Politicians appear unsure how to approach this topic. Coming out in favor of amnesty may cost them precious votes of some long-established core voting blocks, while proving to be categorically opposed to the amnesty may cost them the votes of other, newly emerging voting blocks. Read on to learn more about amnesty for illegal aliens, what the positions of proponents and opponents are, and what the future may hold for this political hot potato.
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Opposition to Amnesty for Illegal Aliens
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Groups that come out against amnesty for illegal aliens cite the fact that the very act of offering amnesty is synonymous with rewarding lawbreakers for their illegal act. For example, the American Resistance (a link is found in the resources section) cites Cornell University professor Vernon Briggs, who suggests that turning a blind eye to illegal aliens has a destructive effect on the American labor movement, and therefore also the social structures that depend on the work derived earnings of laborers. Moreover, opponents state that amnesty only continues to encourage the illegal behavior, citing the 1986 Reagan amnesty that legalized 2.8 million illegal immigrants, and which has failed to stem the tide of illegal border crossers.
Support of Amnesty for Illegal Aliens
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Supporters of amnesty, such as the Federation for American Immigration Reform (see the Resources section below for a link), cite the urgent need for overall immigration reform that forces undocumented United States residents to fall through the cracks. Although proponents generally acknowledge the crime that was committed when crossing the border illegally, they point out that undocumented residents have become an integral part of the American societal fabric, that second and even third generations have redeemed the decisions their parents have made, and also that industry and labor rely on these workers to keep the American workforce strong. Providing amnesty allows undocumented workers to come out of hiding, and support their families openly and without fear of deportation.
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Considerations
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Amnesty for illegal aliens tied to stronger border enforcement has not worked. The Reagan amnesty proves that even after a sweeping amnesty with a number of strings attached, more people are willing to break the law and enter the United States in the hope of finding a better life for themselves and also their families.
Misconceptions
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It is a common misconception that illegal immigration is a relatively contained problem that only affects states bordering with Mexico. Illegal immigrants also come from other South American countries, Canada, and a host of other nations. The Immigration Counters site (a link is placed in the resources section) suggests that currently there are 21,987,650 illegal immigrants in the U.S. These are aliens who may have entered the country illegally or who simply overstayed their visas. The site claims that the cost for providing social services to illegal aliens, since 1996, has topped $397,444,627,200. The foregoing notwithstanding, illegal aliens and their amnesty continue to enter political discussions and because of the staggering numbers currently in the country, the option of an amnesty is highly likely.
Warning
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The heated discussion over amnesty for illegal aliens sometimes leads to regrettable actions on both sides. Attacks on people with brown skin, preying on the fears of illegal immigrants, vilifying opponents of amnesty as racist, and boycotting businesses that allegedly refuse to hire aliens, are part and parcel of interactions between opponents and proponents of amnesty for illegal aliens.
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Resources
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