 |
 |
| Login | Register |
Illegal Immigrants - Gone tomorrow or here to stay?by Robert Parker12 million illegal aliensAccording to some sources, as many as 12 million people of various nationalities are living in the United States without benefit of legal status, either having entered the country illegally, overstayed the terms or conditions of a visa, or committed various other violations of immigration law.
Illegal immigrants: how should the U.S. deal with them?While America is historically indebted to legal immigrants, there is no question that illegal immigrants obtain employment, public assistance benefits, public education, public housing, and other taxpayer-funded benefits normally reserved for citizens. Due to economic factors, shifting demographics and the politics of international relations, the future status of illegal immigrants in America is a front-burner issue.
Cheap labor or a burden on society?Many Americans feel that jobs are lost, wages are depressed, American cultural values are diluted, and economic burdens are increased on tax-payers because of the presence of this large group. Conversely, other Americans argue that in many cases American business simply cannot prosper without the cheap labor they provide, particularly in agriculture-related fields, but also in domestic help and other traditionally low-paying fields. Also, the growing Hispanic demographic and crucial U.S.-Mexico relations have given new clout to advocates for liberalization of immigration laws, amnesty and other measures designed to keep these illegal immigrants in the United States.
Guest-worker cards?President Bush has proposed a plan to allow the 8 - 12 million illegal aliens thought to be in the United States to remain in the country if they have a job and apply for a guest-worker card. The immigrants could stay for renewable three-year periods, after which they ansid apply for permanent legal residence.
For more information on Illegal Immigrants, check
out these links:
|
| Issues | Weblog | Forums | Bulletins |  |