Illegal immigration has been a “problem” in this country for many years. Is illegal immigration really raising our crime rates? If we completely stopped illegal immigration would crime take a drastic fall? This is a touchy yet interesting subject because those who support illegal immigration and those who are against it are very passionate about their argument. I personally do not think that if this country completely knocked out illegal immigration we would see this drastic drop in crime. Statistically yes illegal immigrants do contribute to this countries crime rate, but so do legal immigrants, so do individuals here on temporary visas. It is so easy for those who are citizens here to jump to negative conclusions within the immigration debate when in fact they are not looking at the bigger picture.
In 2008 an immigration policy was put into play in Prince William County. This policy is having police officers are now required to check every individual’s immigration status when taken into custody. This was put into effect because many people in this County felt that illegal immigrants were the reason for neighborhood overcrowding and a raise in crime rate. This is a ridiculous way for this nation to try to minimize illegal immigration and I believe it is trying to start an issue with a group of people that needs to not be started. Do I believe that illegal immigration should be allowed all the time? Absolutely not but I think we as a Country need to work on our immigration process so that it is easier and faster for individuals wishing to live in the United States.
Much of the argument for this policy is that these new number s proves that illegal immigration is a large player in crimes. When I read Arrest Data Add Fuel to Debate on Illegal Residents I found it to have to opposite opinion. I have always felt that the petty crimes illegal immigrants contribute to be because they cannot get hired anywhere else because of their immigration status. It says that only 2% of crimes in Prince William County in the last 10 months were done by illegal immigrants; please explain to me how that constitutes illegal immigration being a major player in this County or rather this Nations Crime rate?
Illegal immigration does need to be controlled in some ways. I do believe that we should reevaluate how we run our immigration procedures. I do not believe that we should go around and make policies to try to intimidate people who are trying to make a life here in this Nation nor do I think we should attempt to kick them out.
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I must agree with my classmate Hillary Dodd that immigration issues in the U.S. have supposedly been an important issue for a good number of years. I have yet to see attempts for any kind of effective and reasonable solutions. It is true that when I hear people express their opinions on immigration, especially concerning Mexican immigrants, they are usually very passionately and angrily against it, or have the opinion of, "who cares?"
ReplyDeleteThe general perception is that increased immigration leads to a higher percentage of crime. As my classmate mentioned, this has not been proven to be the case. As a matter of fact, I read a passage on Livescience.com stating that a study was done proving that immigration actually reduces crime to an extent. And Mexican immigrants, which are usually the race considered when the subject is brought up, were shown to be much less likely to commit violent crimes than African Americans or Caucasians. Also, there is a significantly higher chance of people born in the United States to commit crimes. This makes sense. Seems as though most of the Mexicans who are incarcerated are in fact there for illegal immigration. The bias is that just because immigrants tend to settle in low-class neighborhoods, making it more likely that they will commit crimes?? I tend to think differently. Unless they are traveling from mexico on a mission with some drug cartel or involved with the mafia, most of the time someone comes to the U.S. from a second or third world country in hopes of making a better life for themselves or their families. I also agree that if it weren't such a slow process, there wouldn't be so many illegal immigrants. It's simple. Also, if the crowdedness were such a problem, it's unclear to me why the federal prisons are able to hold illegal immigrants for up to five years before deporting them.
Any decent person should be able to become a citizen if they desire to. Until immigration becomes a legitimate problem and until they are willing to create policies which are just as well as consistent, the excuses should cease.
Illegal imigration is a strong subject to discuss with Americans today. Majority of Americans hate illegal immigrants with a passion, so obviously they would think of anything to stamp on them. I could understand why they would assume they are a big part of crime rates, but that is so untrue. I definitely agree with you. The U.S should change the procedure to become an American citizen so people could have a better opportunity to live the American Dream and immigration does need to be controlled in some way.
ReplyDeleteBut there's one thing I don't get...I discovered on USCIS that one of the first steps you have to get a immigration visa number and to do so you have to be at a local U.S consulate or already in the U.S to file for the immigration visa. But how do they expect an immigrant to come across the borders when their not even allowed, unless their visiting with a family but i'm sure that's still illegal, right?
If you go to http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis/menuitem.5af9bb95919f35e66f614176543f6d1a/?vgnextoid=8b76194d3e88d010VgnVCM10000048f3d6a1RCRD&vgnextchannel=4f719c7755cb9010VgnVCM10000045f3d6a1RCRD
they have so many links on how to become a citizen of the U.S. and rules explaining how you can get your case close. Theres so many loops and hills they have to go through just to have a "free" life.
Diversity Lottery?!?!?! Are you kidding me, I can't believe we have this. The Diversity Lottery(DV) Program occurs every year to give 55,000 immigrants a immigrant visa. The State Dpt(DOS) randomly selects approximately 110,000 applicants, and because the number of applicants selected are doubled is because alot of them won't complete the visa process. One good thing about this program is the applicant can bring their spouse and any unmarried children under 21 with them to the U.S.
Here is the link that explains more about the program http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis/menuitem.5af9bb95919f35e66f614176543f6d1a/?vgnextoid=04f86138f898d010VgnVCM10000048f3d6a1RCRD&vgnextchannel=4f719c7755cb9010VgnVCM10000045f3d6a1RCRDDon't get me wrong the program is for a good cause but to me it's down grading. As if their life is a game, I don't know if alot of people understand what I'm saying but I just think it's like a joke. And I know there are people out there who would take this as something funny, those below them waiting for a reply in a program similar to a lottery for a better life.
I had discussed this issue with my grandmother and she had a different perspective "the immigrants come to the U.S for a better life but they take alot of our privelages and aid, if too many migrate to the U.S how are we going to make room for those who aready live here. There is no maximum amount for the U.S population." Which is so true, there isn't a number in the Constitution stating how many people can live here, but what are we going to do when there's no more room?
Do you know everything? Take the Naturalization Self Test similar to the actual test immigrants take and see how much you know.
http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis/menuitem.010cab8025677e19631ef89b843f6d1a/?vgnextoid=9ff98424f8304110VgnVCM1000004718190aRCRD&vgnextchannel=9ff98424f8304110VgnVCM1000004718190aRCRD