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.
Showing posts with label US economy. Show all posts
Showing posts with label US economy. Show all posts
Tuesday, November 23, 2010
We Don't Want the Chicken to Cross the Road
Thorton, James "Ati-Illegal Immigration Laws Would Benefit Society." Immigration: Opposing Viewpoints. Ed. Mary Williams. Greenhaven Press, 2004. 113-118. Print.
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James Thorton believes that anti-illegal immigration laws would benefit society. “Providing public benefits to these illegals is extremely costly; Proposition 187 will allow legal residents and citizens to take control of their lives by diminishing the aliens’ averse impact on society and the economy.” He states the outrageous number of immigrants that enter California every day. He says that taxpayers of California paid $3.6 billion per year. Thorton believes they are a danger to the citizens in California because, “60 percent of homicides, and 80 percent of drug-related crimes are traced to illegals and foreigners.” In his opinion illegals are potentially harming voting results because, “Investigators are discovering that many non-citizens are registered and voting in American elections.” He stands behind Proposition 187 and believes it is the answer to America’s problems. “Proposition 187 represents a potential turning point for our beloved country and it is proof that a few determined, patriotic citizens can stand up to cowardly politicians an public official to change the course of history.” Thorton’s opinion backs up everything that Proposition 187 stands for and potentially prevents.
Even if the Proposition was set aside for being unconstitutional, it is important that Thorton writes about it. This important piece of forgotten legislation potentially has the power to arise again if the support is present. This article is highly opinionated and is loaded with lots of statistics that really help the readers for there own opinion. “Health care for illegals in Los Angeles alone, one of the areas most heavily impacted by the immigration invasion, cost $203.1 million in 1992 and continues to escalate extremely every year.” Personal one question that comes to mind after reading this article is, “Do I feel sorry for someone who commits so much crime in my home country and costs me so much?” Thorton’s purpose is to make his readers think just as I did when responding to his article. He writes, “The reality is that illegals have chosen to live outside the law, so in turn they should choose to live outside American luxury resources.” In the same sense, if they choose to live outside the law, aren’t they choosing to take a risk? Readers may relate this risk to the hazard immigrants face when choosing to cross the Arizona/Mexico desert.
Preview this book
James Thorton believes that anti-illegal immigration laws would benefit society. “Providing public benefits to these illegals is extremely costly; Proposition 187 will allow legal residents and citizens to take control of their lives by diminishing the aliens’ averse impact on society and the economy.” He states the outrageous number of immigrants that enter California every day. He says that taxpayers of California paid $3.6 billion per year. Thorton believes they are a danger to the citizens in California because, “60 percent of homicides, and 80 percent of drug-related crimes are traced to illegals and foreigners.” In his opinion illegals are potentially harming voting results because, “Investigators are discovering that many non-citizens are registered and voting in American elections.” He stands behind Proposition 187 and believes it is the answer to America’s problems. “Proposition 187 represents a potential turning point for our beloved country and it is proof that a few determined, patriotic citizens can stand up to cowardly politicians an public official to change the course of history.” Thorton’s opinion backs up everything that Proposition 187 stands for and potentially prevents.
Even if the Proposition was set aside for being unconstitutional, it is important that Thorton writes about it. This important piece of forgotten legislation potentially has the power to arise again if the support is present. This article is highly opinionated and is loaded with lots of statistics that really help the readers for there own opinion. “Health care for illegals in Los Angeles alone, one of the areas most heavily impacted by the immigration invasion, cost $203.1 million in 1992 and continues to escalate extremely every year.” Personal one question that comes to mind after reading this article is, “Do I feel sorry for someone who commits so much crime in my home country and costs me so much?” Thorton’s purpose is to make his readers think just as I did when responding to his article. He writes, “The reality is that illegals have chosen to live outside the law, so in turn they should choose to live outside American luxury resources.” In the same sense, if they choose to live outside the law, aren’t they choosing to take a risk? Readers may relate this risk to the hazard immigrants face when choosing to cross the Arizona/Mexico desert.
Friday, November 5, 2010
Alien Impact on American Economy
Nadadur, Ramanvjan. "Illegal Immigration: A Positive Economic Contribution to the United States." Journal of Ethnic and Migration Studies July 2009: 1037-1052.
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Ramanujan Nadadur lays out the basic argument that illegal immigration has a positive impact on the US economy. Nadadur writes, “Classical economics holds that immigration benefits the host country because it subsides the labor supply.” Nadadur uses statistical facts and history of illegal immigration as a backdrop for his paper. He makes it seen that illegal immigrants positively contribute to the US economy as consumers in the market. “90 percent of the wages that the undocumented population earns are currently spent inside the US. As a result, “The total consumptive capacity of illegal immigrants remaining in the US is around $450 billion.” Nadadur notes many different arguments throughout the article. “Immigrants also positively benefit the economy by increasing demand, spurring investment, and keeping receiving-country industries competitive through enhancing capital productivity.” Nadadur acknowledges that “immigrants are more willing then legal immigrants and native workers to take jobs where high labor turnover and poor working conditions” and suggests that this may also be a hint to the US economic downfall.
Nadadur’s point of view is important because it addresses an issue the US is currently facing. The issues of illegal immigration and the economic crises in the US have been a continuous, and controversial topic among American’s. Some believe that illegal immigrants are a part of the economic downfall but Nadadur proves a greater good for these aliens. On top of educating the readers on immigration and the amount of money used to control the borders he makes us aware of the positive contributions they bring to the country. He suggests, “Allocating resources between the federal and state governments could help solve this dilemma.” By purposing the positive attributions illegal immigrants bring to the economy, Nadadur challenges his audience to consider how immigration is indeed a positive economic stimulant.
Read this article
Ramanujan Nadadur lays out the basic argument that illegal immigration has a positive impact on the US economy. Nadadur writes, “Classical economics holds that immigration benefits the host country because it subsides the labor supply.” Nadadur uses statistical facts and history of illegal immigration as a backdrop for his paper. He makes it seen that illegal immigrants positively contribute to the US economy as consumers in the market. “90 percent of the wages that the undocumented population earns are currently spent inside the US. As a result, “The total consumptive capacity of illegal immigrants remaining in the US is around $450 billion.” Nadadur notes many different arguments throughout the article. “Immigrants also positively benefit the economy by increasing demand, spurring investment, and keeping receiving-country industries competitive through enhancing capital productivity.” Nadadur acknowledges that “immigrants are more willing then legal immigrants and native workers to take jobs where high labor turnover and poor working conditions” and suggests that this may also be a hint to the US economic downfall.
Nadadur’s point of view is important because it addresses an issue the US is currently facing. The issues of illegal immigration and the economic crises in the US have been a continuous, and controversial topic among American’s. Some believe that illegal immigrants are a part of the economic downfall but Nadadur proves a greater good for these aliens. On top of educating the readers on immigration and the amount of money used to control the borders he makes us aware of the positive contributions they bring to the country. He suggests, “Allocating resources between the federal and state governments could help solve this dilemma.” By purposing the positive attributions illegal immigrants bring to the economy, Nadadur challenges his audience to consider how immigration is indeed a positive economic stimulant.
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