Immigration Issues
Immigration Issue #1: Banning Immigrant Groups
At a campaign stop in South Carolina on December 7, 2015, Presidential candidate Donald Trump called for a “total and complete shutdown” of Muslims entering the country. The announcement sparked outrage from across the political spectrum with Republicans and Democrats both deeming it unconstitutional. Proponents argue that the government has little idea who is entering the U.S. through its current immigration system and that a temporary ban on Muslims is necessary after the terrorist attack in California. Opponents argue that the proposed ban is unconstitutional and racist towards Muslims. (Info and poll from www.isidewith.com.)
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Immigration Issue #2: Illegal Immigrants & Health Care
Currently, the Affordable Care Act (a.k.a. "Obamacare") prohibits illegal immigrants from enrolling in Medicaid, as well as from receiving subsidies to buy private insurance on the exchange or paying for an Obamacare plan without subsidies. (Info and poll from www.isidewith.com.)
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Immigration Issue #3: Illegal Immigrants & College
Currently, there are 16 states (California, Colorado, Connecticut, Illinois, Kansas, Maryland, Minnesota, Nebraska, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Oklahoma, Oregon, Texas, Utah, and Washington) allow illegal immigrants to pay the same in-state tuition rates as other residents of the state. To qualify, students must have attended a school in the state for a certain number of years, have graduated high school in the state, have confirmed they are applying for legal citizenship. (Info and poll from www.isidewith.com.)
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Immigration Issue #4: Illegal Immigrants & Crime
On October 7, 2013, California Governor Jerry Brown signed a state bill prohibiting law-enforcement officials from detaining an individual on the basis of a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement hold after that person becomes eligible for release, unless s/he has been charged with or convicted of certain crimes, including violent felonies. (Info and poll from www.isidewith.com.)
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Immigration Issue #5: Children of Illegal Immigrants
If you are born in the U.S., you are automatically a citizen, a guarantee of the 14th Amendment of the Constitution that has come to be known as "birthright citizenship". A number of lawmakers, however, are questioning that right in seeking to deny automatic citizenship to American-born children of illegal immigrants as a way to contain illegal immigration. The Pew Hispanic Center, a nonpartisan research group, counted 4 million American-born children with at least one parent who was in the U.S. illegally in 2008. Eight percent of babies born in the U.S. that year had at least one undocumented immigrant parent. Those who challenge birthright citizenship argue that illegal immigrants are not subject to U.S. jurisdiction, and so neither are their American-born children; these children, they argue, cannot therefore automatically become citizens. Since there was no such thing as an illegal immigrant at the time of the amendment’s adoption — immigration was not restricted or regulated back then — opponents also contend that the amendment does not apply to illegal immigrants. The U.S. Supreme Court, however, has upheld the right to birthright citizenship throughout history, granting citizenship to all people born here, except to children of foreign diplomats and Native American sovereign tribes. Supporters of birthright citizenship consider it an important element of the American ethos that prizes welcoming and assimilating diverse people. Opponents of birthright citizenship argue that illegal immigrants come to the United States to give birth to a child – a so-called “anchor baby” – as a way of gaining quick access for themselves to citizenship. However, supporters contend that in fact, the law requires these children to wait until they are 21 to petition for legal residency status for their parents. A study by the Migration Policy Institute, a nonpartisan research group, observes that an end to birthright citizenship would increase the illegal immigration population, not reduce it, leading to “the establishment of a permanent class of undocumented workers”. The study predicts that the number of unauthorized immigrants could swell from 11 million to between 16 and 24 million by 2050, depending on how restrictive new laws would be. (Info and poll from www.isidewith.com.)
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Immigration Issue #6: Illegal Immigrants & Amnesty
Amnesty is an act by passed by the federal government that grants immunity from immigration laws to undocumented immigrants currently living in the U.S. Various levels of criteria have been proposed for immigrants to be granted amnesty, including proof of employment and willingness to pay taxes. (Info and poll from www.isidewith.com.)
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Immigration Issue #7: Immigrants & Work Visas
Skilled temporary work visas are usually given to foreign scientists, engineers, programmers, architects, executives, and other positions or fields where demand outpaces supply. Most businesses argue that hiring skilled foreign workers allows them to competitively fill positions which are in high demand. Opponents argue that skilled immigrants decrease middle class wages and job tenure. (Info and poll from www.isidewith.com.)
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Immigration Issue #8: Border Security
Congress has passed at least four laws since 1986 authorizing increases in Border Patrol personnel. The number of border patrol agents on the southwest border has grown from 2,268 in 1980 to 21,730 in 2015. Border fencing has increased from 14 miles in 1990 to 651 miles today. Proponents argue that too many immigrants cross our border every year and anyone entering the U.S. from a foreign country should pass through customs and have a valid visa. Opponents of stronger border controls argue the majority of illegal entrants are Mexicans seeking temporary work and pose no threat to national security. (Info and poll from www.isidewith.com.)
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Immigration Issue #9: Immigrants & Learning English
In a 2013 Gallup poll, 72% of Americans say it is essential that immigrants living in the U.S. learn to speak English. Meanwhile, 20% believe it is essential that Americans learn a second language other than English. Although it is not uncommon to hear people speak languages other than English in the U.S., or to see signs and storefronts in languages other than English, a majority of Americans still believe it is critical that immigrants learn English. In fact, one of the requirements for U.S. citizenship is the ability to speak and write English. And one of the proposed requirements in legislation to create "a path to citizenship" for immigrants here illegally is to learn English. Interestingly, 34% of Americans say they know a second language well enough to hold a conversation. Overall, Americans who speak a second language overwhelmingly identify Spanish as their second language, at 60%, followed by French (18%) and German (12%). At least 1% of Americans claim to know each of 13 other languages. Although one in three Americans know a second language, the public generally does not think it is essential that Americans learn to speak a second language. Rather, it is probably viewed as more of a desirable skill than an essential one for those living in the United States.However, the public does think that those who immigrate to the U.S. should learn to speak English. It is not clear if that view is due to a desire to see immigrants assimilate into traditional U.S. customs and norms, or, more practically, in terms of their being able to function effectively in U.S. society. Regardless of the reason, government leaders appear to agree that immigrants should learn to speak English, given the immigration-reform legislation proposal to require it of illegal immigrants seeking to gain legal status in the U.S. (Info and poll from www.isidewith.com.)
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