The document discusses the history and current state of illegal immigration to the United States. It describes how the U.S. has long welcomed immigrants seeking opportunity but now faces challenges with the rise in illegal immigration. There are approximately 11.7 million illegal immigrants currently living in the U.S. This issue sparks debate, as some argue illegal immigrants negatively impact the economy and culture, while others believe they should be given amnesty. The document also examines how illegal immigration policies have separated families and how public opinion on solutions is evolving.

1. Illegal Immigration
Even before signing the Declaration of Independence in 1776, the United States was a land of
opportunity for those seeking a better life. People came to this country by the thousands in search of
religious freedoms and opportunity of other kinds. Immigrants in the past and present have journeyed
to America in an attempt to obtain a lifestyle based on the United States concept of life, liberty, and the
pursuit of happiness. With more and more people entering the country every year, the United States
quickly evolved into the land of the free that welcomed any and all who desired to become a part of it.
As time passed and millions of immigrants ventured to the country, the United States still
maintained a welcoming attitude towards new immigrants. However, with such a vast amount of
foreigners who desired the American lifestyle, it has now become somewhat difficult to obtain. As a
result, this new century has given rise to another kind of immigrant, the illegal immigrant. Desperate to
become a part of the booming American culture, thousands and thousands of immigrants have begun to
enter the United States illegally. A 2013 study by The New York Times estimates that about 11.7 million
immigrants are living in the U.S today illegally. This point brings up controversial opinions. Some people
believe that border patrol should be enforced because of the disadvantages that illegal immigrants
bring, like taking jobs from the American people, and bringing a different none American culture into
America. On the other hand, some people believe that amnesty should be given to illegal immigrants
and that the deportation of undocumented people should stop in order to prevent the separation of
family’s.
Illegal immigration officially began when the Immigration Act of 1917 denied entry to immigrants
from Eastern Asia and the Pacific Islands (“Border”). Before 1917, all immigrants to America where only
required two to five years of residency for citizenship, and to discard any allegiance to a foreign prince,
potentate, state, or sovereignty. Although the official illegal immigrant was nonexistent till the 1900’s,
the idea of an illegal immigrant started back in 1816 when the Irish Immigrated to America. The
immigration of about 5 million Irish to America provoked a strong reaction among certain native-born
Americans, who denounced the Irish for their social behavior, impact on the economy, and their Catholic
religion. In 1844 American rioters burned two Catholic churches in the Philadelphia suburbs in a dispute
over which Bible to teach in public schools (Kenny). Americans in the North western states carried out
the same idea in 1880. Americans blamed the Chinese for putting many Americans out of work during
the economic depression (“Chinese”). Angry Americans burned down Chinese businesses and drove
entire Chinese communities out of town. In 1924, the US boarder patrol was established, and in 1927, it
is believed that over 1 million Illegal Mexicans where living in the US (“US”). In 1943, the Bracero act
brought many Mexicans into America to work in US farms and railroads for a twenty -two year period
(Durand). The number of Illegal immigrants in America has been growing vastly ever sense.
Similar belief and opinion exists today against illegal immigrants as it did for the Irish and Chinese in
the 1800’s. Many Americans dislike immigrants because they take American jobs and bring a different
culture to America. A study done by Pew research shows that 78 % of Illegal immigrants consist of
Hispanics, and 13% Asian. Hispanic and Asian cultures are very different from the traditional American

2. culture. Both foreign cultures heavily impact the music, foods, religions, customs and languages that
Americans hear, eat, practice and speak. Some Americans like the diversity of things in their life’s and
other dislike the change of costume American culture. Another similar believe that exist today about
illegal immigrants is that they take American jobs. Many people justify this fact by saying; they are jobs
not enough Americans are willing to take like cleaning houses, farming and landscape. However most
economists do not find immigrants driving down wages or jobs in America. The Brookings Institutions
wrote “on average; immigrant workers increase the opportunities and incomes of Americans.”
Immigrant workers do not affect the employment rate negatively. According to a 2011 analysis from The
Conservative American Enterprise Institute and The Liberal Center for American Progress suggests:
granting legal status to undocumented workers might even create jobs. The CAP study, led by the
visiting head of the Washington College economics department, sought to predict what would happen
under immigration reform. The researchers considered a handful of scenarios. In each, it was presumed
that the nation’s approximate 11 million undocumented immigrants would be granted legal status.
Legal status alone would lead to the creation of 121,000 extra jobs annually over the next 10 years.
Getting citizenship within five years would increase that to 159,000 jobs per year. Receiving both legal
status and citizenship within one year would create an extra 203,000 jobs annually. Although illegals do
take American jobs, they do not detriment the American economy, in fact, they could help it.
Illegal immigration policy has led to the separation of families for thousands of deported
undocumented people. A study done by Denver Post suggests that nearly 25% of deportees have
children they are leaving behind in the United States. Many of these parents do not see their children
for months and in some cases years. According to Pew research 58% of deported immigrants are
imprisoned for false documents. In most states, a first offence for false documents is punishable with up
to 6 months in prison. In a lot of cases, the Immigrants will eagerly return to America to be with their
family again, putting their life at risk by possible more consequential imprisonment.
This modern day political debate has received much interest from the American people. Studies
show that 71% of the American people believe that there should be a way for undocumented
immigrants to stay legally and 27% of Americans believe that they should not be able to stay (Most). The
future for the Illegal Immigrant looks well on its way to better days. The United States Government is
ultimately a government for the people, by the people. That being said, if the majority of Americans
believe in amnesty for Illegal Immigrants, then it is not too far from happening. The topic concerning
illegal immigration was put on Obamas priority list at 16th. This year Obama passed the Dream Act that
entitled the citizenship of any illegal immigrant considered as part of the 1.5 generation, an illegal
immigrant who was not born an American, but raised as an American. The idea of life, liberty, and the
pursuit of happiness are now becoming a reality for these young men and women and soon enough for
all.

3. Works Cited
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