[11.7.11] Illegal Immigration

Christina N. - Are illegal immigrants that great of a threat to our country?
Answers to each side of each argument can be found HERE.


I personally do not think that illegal immigrants pose a threat to the United States. It isn't like a majority of the immigrants are terrorists; most are unhappy with their country and want to come here and start a new life. Besides, Paul F. deLespinasse stated that "But the scoundrels who took out the World Trade Center, the Pentagon, and four planeloads of travelers came into the U.S. legally." In addition, illegal immigrants take the jobs that Americans do not want. Take for example the law that was passed that did not allow illegal immigrants to work on farms/fields. The people in charge complained that their tomatoes, for example, were picked when they were too ripe since there were not enough workers.... Also, the non-illegal immigrant workers that they hired did not do their jobs well enough.



Also, we often hear about this issue, so is it really that easy to come into the United States being an illegal immgrant?

Nataley P. - Why don't illegal immigrants go through the process of coming here legally to avoid a problem?

Sites that hint to the answers for the last two questions may be found HERE, HERE, and HERE.

I haven't found an exact answer, but I can guess that the reason for it is because of time and money. Like one woman said in the video we watched, she wanted to leave Mexico because of the drug wars. Here are just some of the requirements that one has to fulfill to become a citizen:

1.  Are at least 18 years old and a lawful permanent resident ("green card" holder);
2.  Have resided continuously in the United States, having been lawfully admitted for permanent residence, for five years immediately preceding the date you filed your application for naturalization, or  
7.  Have the ability to read, write, speak, and understand simple words and phrases in English; 

Some people may not want to wait that long; they want to simply leave their country. They might not know anyone who can teach them English, and they may not have enough money to go through the whole process legally.

Apply at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate in your home country for an immigrant visa. This can involve a very long wait before you receive the visa and are allowed to move to the United States.
Apply for and win one of the 50,000 immigrant visas awarded by lottery every year by the U.S government. The application for this also requires that you apply at the U.S. Embassy or Consulate in your home country. While the odds of winning are small, the wait will be short if your name is drawn (the application is for you and your immediate family),
Enter the United States as a political refugee and apply for asylum in the U.S. I believe that you can also apply for this from abroad as well. The requirement here is that you face persecution or even death in your homeland because of your political views. Granting of such visas are usually a political decision by the U.S. State Department.