Immigration Law Reform - 2014

“America’s immigration system is broken.” These words issued by the White House exemplify the concern of many regarding immigration reform and the handling of the “11 million [immigrants] currently living in the shadows,” so to speak. On Thursday night, November 20^th, President Obama plans to make a statement regarding his plans for reform. This statement of plans is expected to face opposition in congress as well as from voters. Congress has warned Obama about acting without their approval, yet the President says that he will act before the end of the year.

            The exact ideology of Obama’s plan is yet to be specified, but four main aspects of policy will be improved upon. Stronger border security, a streamlined legal immigration process, earned citizenship, and a crackdown on employers who hire undocumented immigrant workers are all principles that the White House seeks to reform. By improving border security, the President hopes to advance the relationship between transnational immigration police and border communities. With the improved border security, the U.S. will need a more efficient path for immigrants to arrive in the U.S. and become citizens legally. This will require background checks for immigrants and those who have already arrived to the U.S. undocumented. The President acknowledged that these immigrants must be willing to “work, pay taxes, and learn English,” and by doing so; these immigrants will be “playing by the rules” and should have no problem becoming citizens. Once these immigrants have become documented in the U.S, there will be a higher crackdown on businesses that continue to hire undocumented workers. As President Obama put it, “most businesses want to do the right thing,” but the penalties for undocumented employment will be ramped up if legal workers are available and businesses knowingly hire those who do not have documentation.

            Many who oppose the immigration reform have cited economic reasons, such as the loss of American jobs to immigrants. President Obama contrarily claims that a streamlined immigration process for those who desire to live and work in the U.S. will actually boost GPD, and in turn, boost the standard of living in America. There is also the idea that many immigrants will be able to start their own businesses once granted documentation, again enhancing GDP. In terms of international relations, the U.S, with these reforms in place, expects to have better trade relationships with its neighbors, specifically that of Mexico. The economic link between the U.S. and Mexico has been plagued by illegal immigration, and a more streamlined process of documentation may be able to heal this wound.

            It’s unclear how immigration reform will take place in the U.S. with the current standoff between the White House and Congress. Only 35% of voters feel that Obama should take action in reform without Congress’ support and the majority of Congress has yet to support the President’s policy. It is clear, however, that immigration reform is not being taken lightly and the concern is very real. Most Americans would agree that the immigration system in the U.S. “is broken,” but most Americans just aren’t sure how to fix it.

Works Cited

Gattis, Paul. "Obama Immigration Reform Poll: Almost Half Oppose Executive Action." AL.com. ALnews, n.d. Web. 19 Nov. 2014. 

"Immigration." The White House. The White House, n.d. Web. 17 Nov. 2014. 

"Voters Strongly Oppose Obama's Amnesty Plan for Illegal Immigrants - Rasmussen Reports™." Voters Strongly Oppose Obama's Amnesty Plan for Illegal Immigrants - Rasmussen Reports™. Rasmussen Reports, n.d. Web. 19 Nov. 2014.