How to Take a Position on Immigration Issues

Is immigration a benefit or detriment?

The immigration issue debate is one of the most controversial and emotionally charged issue debates in United States politics. America has been a place of immigration since its colonial days, but questions remain about what restrictions should be placed on immigration and to what extent immigration benefits the United States' economy. To take a position on Immigration issues, you must consider several things.

Instructions

1. Think about whether immigration is a benefit to the country or harmful to the country. Your thoughts on this question are likely to influence your opinions on other immigration issues. Some people believe immigration benefits the United States by providing a more diverse and productive population. On the other side, some people believe the United States should keep its population low due to over populations problems such as pollution, overcrowding and lack of jobs.

2. Decide whether immigration should be increased or reduced. The United States sets limits on how many people may immigrate and attain citizenship. Some people think the limits are currently not strict enough and too many people are let in. However, others think the limits should be loosened to allow more people to enjoy life in the United States.

3. Take a position on whether the United States should construct a border fence along the its border with Mexico. A prominent issue in the immigration debate is whether the United States needs to put a fence to help stop the flow of illegal aliens into the country. Some believe the fence would portray the United States as too harsh and too isolationistic and will cost too much to build and maintain. Others believe the fence is necessary to stop illegal immigration and to prevent terrorists from entering the country.

4. Give some thought about what must be done about illegal aliens who are already inside the country. Some believe because illegal aliens broke the rules and entered the country illegally; they jumped to the front of the line ahead of those who are following the rules and should be deported back to their native countries. Some, however, believe deporting all of the illegal aliens in the country would be impossible and would be a detriment to the economy and therefore they should be given amnesty and allowed to stay.

5. Consider the guest worker program issue debate. This is a program where people currently living in other countries and current illegal aliens would be given the opportunity to work inside the United States for a period of time and then either return to their native country or stay in the United States if they have attained a green card or citizenship. Proponents of this believe immigrants perform jobs and services at low wages other Americans are unwilling to do and therefore are a benefit to the economy. Opponents believe immigrants take jobs away from Americans and are a drain to the economy because they require social services.