Immigration in Usa

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It has been argued that illegal immigrants might just have an effect on the political landscape of the U.S. as immigrants are able to influence voting patterns and affect election results. Illegal immigrants can be engaged in the process of voting, ultimately affecting the voting results. For instance the 2000 presidential elections between President Bush and Al Gore could have been significantly affected by illegal immigrants voting considering how close the election was. It has been proved that non-citizens can easily register for voting and participate in the electoral process hence influence election results. This is one of the factors that prompted the U.S Congress to establish a Commission on Immigration Reform to do research and make necessary recommendations on the problem of immigration. “Noncitizen immigrants are not entitled to constitutional rights. Our government has long declined to treat immigrants as full human beings, and nowhere is that more clear than in the realm of constitutional rights. Although the Constitution literally extends the fundamental protections in the Bill of Rights to all people, limiting to citizens only the right to vote and run for federal office, the federal government acts as if this were not the case” (Cole 617). Also, illegal immigration has led to the introduction and amendment of laws a number of times in an effort to curb illegal immigrants from accessing housing, jobs and other public services. The most notable enactment was the Immigration and Reform Act of 1986 which required employers not to employ illegal immigrants deliberately. To effect this, employers had to ask their prospective employees to show proof that they were legally allowed to work in the country. This could be done using one out of a number of documents such as a driving license and INS permanent resident card. After which, employers have to fill out INS form I -9. Government and local states have also responded to the issue of illegal immigration by passing new acts. Illegal immigration serves to undermine the process of legal immigration. Those who want to legally migrate to the U.S usually have to wait for long periods, with most people waiting for at least five years to get a visa. Considering the fact that most illegal immigrants are able to live safely in the U.S without being deported and in some instances granted permanent residency, most people are tempted to migrate illegally. Only a small proportion of illegal immigrants are deported every year in relation to their total number. With the Department of Homeland Security mostly being able to track those immigrants who have been engaged in crime.

No American citizen would take a $7.00/hour or less paid job. Due to the nature of fish processing, the need for labor is unsteady, uneven and in unpleasant working conditions. For example an 80 hours of work from one laborer may be required one week, but just 20 hours on another week. If enforcement of laws prohibiting illegal labor were implemented, the business would be economically unviable and would, therefore, need to close down. With thousands of Americans working low paying jobs at Walmart, Mc Donald's and other corporate giants, it is difficult to believe that no Americans would fill the fish processing jobs. If the employer followed fair labor practices and laws the overtime compensation for busy weeks would make up for the lack of income on off weeks.

There is still ongoing debate as to whether illegal immigration has negative or positives effects to the U.S, some people argue that illegal immigration is good for any country as is usually followed by periods of growth. Others state that illegal immigrants pose a challenge to the government and should be gotten rid of. All in all, illegal immigration especially affects those that are at low levels of society. Due to the competitiveness that illegal immigrants bring, those who are lowly educated and socially placed are the ones who are most vocal in their opposition of illegal immigration. With those in the most populous immigrant states being the most loud.