On February 22, 2008, Daniel Millis and three colleagues were stopped by US Fish and Wildlife Service officers who spotted gallon-sized bottles of water in the back of their Toyota 4Runner. They are members of a group called No More Deaths and they work with another group called Samaritans to leave life-saving supplies in the desert. Millis admitted that he and his friends had been placing plastic bottles of water along the refuge’s trails and picking up discarded bottles as well. Daniel Millis was arrested that day for littering. His crime was leaving bottles of drinkable water for immigrants who were dying of thirst. Sometime in the first week of September, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit overturned Millis’ conviction by a 2-1 vote. What was so disturbing, however, was how limited the court’s decision was. As a result, people can still be arrested for doing exactly what Millis did. The government claimed that the water bottles Millis left behind were “garbage.” The appeals court disagreed. The court concluded that the water bottles left did not meet the common meaning of the word garbage. Although Millis got off the hook, the next person to leave water bottles where he did risks going to jail.
Illegal immigrants enter the United States to enjoy a better economic life. Most of them are fleeing economic oppression, unemployment and poverty. Whether entry is legal or illegal, it doesn't matter to them. Entering illegally is their only way to get in. Many of them have risked their lives in order to live the American dream. . To illegal immigrants, the benefits far outweigh the risks so they take their chances. The lack of balance between law and human compassion causes heated debates over the illegal immigration issue. It involves right and wrong, legal and illegal issues. One of the main questions I have come across in researching is weather or not immigration is even an issue or not for the US. Many scholars say they stimulate our economy and others say they are corrupting it by taking all the low wage jobs for citizens. It is an important research question to ask because as society changes and immigrants make there way across the US borders our opinions will be the one thing that can make a difference in improving society.
When researching this particular subject of immigration I did not know what to expect. I personally have not formed my own definite one-sided opinion because I agree with so many different views. I found out many statistical facts that are overwhelming and frightening. Thousands of immigrants cross the California border every day and Millions of dollars are spent on their healthcare, and education. Many people feel that immigrants are dangerous to American Citizens. In California 80% of homicides and drug-related crimes are committed by foreigners. One of the popular themes I came across was American economy. Many argue that immigrants take citizen’s jobs, and live off of American resources. The opposing viewpoint is that migrants stimulate the economy. Many of the sources I found talked about different immigration policies recommended. Some of the policies are based on religion, some on economy, but all face the problem if they are unconstitutional. One interesting point that I would never of thought of was the fact that the first colonized Europeans in America were immigrants too and look at how far our country has come. The sole reason immigrants take such a big risk in seeking a new start in America is their pursuit of happiness. Many immigrants send all the money they make back home just to feed their families. Immigration will never end in the U.S. and it will always remain a controversial issue. The hard part is forming your opinion in order to make future decisions that will potentially improve society for everyone.
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