America's outstanding status as being a nation of immigrants is being challenged by globalization, this change brings up matters such as; mass illegal immigration. Suggestions have been put forward that call for securing the borders and reforming the legal immigration process both good steps, but the biggest point of disagreement remains over what to do with the illegal immigrants who reside in the U.S.
Illegal immigration into the United States is massive in scale. More than 10 million undocumented immigrants currently reside in the U.S, and that population is growing by 700,000 per year (Plaats, USA today). On one hand, the presence of so many illegal immigrants are a powerful testament to the attractiveness of America and on the other hand, it is a sign of how dangerously open the American borders are. Typical illegal immigrants come to America primarily for better jobs or family and in the process add value to the U.S economy. However, they also take away value by weakening the legal and national security of this country. The heritage foundation stated that, 3 out of a 100 Americans are living in this country illegally 100 Americans 3 of them are undocumented, this indication that there is a problem with the nation’s security (Kirk Johnson, Tim Kane, Heritage). Even though illegal immigrants don’t pose direct security threat, the presence of millions of undocumented migrants distorts the law, absorbs resources, and creates a shield for terrorists and criminals.
Many Americans are deeply worried that illegal immigration threatens the nation's beliefs, culture, customs and economy. Others are concerned that stricter laws and/or law enforcement may lead to unfair and unethical consequences (including deportation) for many good, hardworking people and their families. Despite U.S. Chamber of Commerce arguments that illegal immigrants benefit businesses, many Americans still believe illegal immigrants place a burden on the economy(Citation). The real problem presented by illegal immigration is security, not the threat to the economy. The issue with illegal immigration is of our making. For decades, the U.S. government has been instable in enforcing its immigration laws; threatening deportation one minute, offering free health care and education the next. To help fix the instable system some propose, that we simply grant blanket amnesty to millions of people who are in the country illegally. This approach not only ignores the rule of law and weaken efforts to prevent future illegal immigration, it's also inconsiderate and unfair to those who have waited in line to immigrate lawfully. On the other side of the spectrum some Americans supposes that restricting the number of immigrants coming into the country will fix the broken immigration system, but those beliefs would actually worsen the security dilemma by driving many migrant workers underground, thereby encouraging the culture of unlawfulness.
One of many reasons why Americans believe that granting amnesty to Illegal immigrants would fix the broken immigration system is because of politicians. The issues regarding the causes of illegal immigration has become a political election campaign tool rather than a means of doing what is best for America based on the values America was founded on and an adherence to the U.S. Constitution. This complicates Americans’ understanding of immigration laws. America's politicians have to stop pretending that granting amnesty or mass deportation will solve the problem of having millions of people living in this country illegally. Instead, we must look for solutions that allow these individuals to come out of the shadows and are welcomed into our communities. A program whereby American citizens help sponsor illegal migrants would be a great solution to the broken immigration problem. This program would help and remove discrimination against certain communities.
We can all agree, that we want to end both inconsistent immigration law and the communities of isolated immigrants living in fear. I don’t believe that the federal government issuing a blanket of amnesty on the status of all undocumented individuals, nor limiting the number of immigrants that can come into the U.S will solve the issue. I firmly believe that a sponsorship program is a vital piece needed to solve the broken immigration system. Under a sponsorship plan, current law-abiding U.S. citizens would agree to sponsor undocumented immigrants currently living in the U.S. through an official process.
We all want those who have immigrated to this country to be welcomed and embraced into our country in a lawful and just manner. Fortunately, America already has practice with a sponsorship program, it is designed to help immigrants stay in the country legally while helping boost U.S. economy. For years, businesses, learning institutions, and families have all relied on a form of sponsorship to bring jobs, help students achieve, encourage law-abiding behavior, or to help establishments grow. Lawmakers might also negotiate the conditions of completing the program, such as English language proficiency or keeping a clean criminal record. The Sponsorship program could be an effective solution to fix the broken immigration system because it is a local, community-building method that incorporates immigrants into society, making Immigrants feel at home. It treats undocumented immigrants with dignity but most importantly, it involves U.S. citizens taking part of the solution. This solution builds/connects bridges that have been torn down because of discrimination against Illegal immigrants. It also helps build bridges within communities where immigrants already live, work and send their children to school.
The sponsorship proposal would empower Americans themselves to solve one of the most difficult issues that keeps occurring through history. And not only would such a program encourage undocumented Americans to come out of the shadows, but it would also strengthen our communities and enhance our culture like the immigration boom in the early 1900s (Cite). Of course, a sponsorship program can only be executed as part of systemic immigration reform, unless our borders are secured, and our visa process updated to meet 21st century needs, a sponsorship program would do little or no change on the issues of illegal immigration. This program would be effective if immigration laws are consistent /stable and most importantly enforced in all states.
The sponsorship program would reduce the number of illegal immigrants, this is a great step especially for families/ individual who live in southern states who are being affected by the great level of illegal immigration. For people of faith, this presents an opportunity to promote charity. Just as this is an opportunity for Americans to display the best of America, it also is an opportunity for the church to be the church. Either way, it’s a win/win situation that relies on the foundation of America, her people, versus the bureaucracy of government.
Alone, the sponsorship program will not solve the issue of a broken immigration system. For the sponsorship program to work effective it will need a combination of federal, state, and local government to create consistent and stable laws which will be enforced and followed thoroughly. The stable laws include; revising of current policies, opportunities created in the disadvantaged countries from where the illegal immigrants hail. The sponsorship program and creating a stable government will better the nation security crisis, create a unified country and most of all boost the growth of the U.S economy. This program will help America regain its outstanding status as being nation of immigrants and will restore the values America was founded on and an adherence to the U.S. Constitution.