This is a new post of how I feel about immigration at this point because I'm not entirely sure but I may have deleted a whole post (while only trying to delete a comment) so I will see if I can remember what I wrote:

At the point of this post I was in a transitional mode of thinking. I was still entirely against immigration but I was beginning to feel different about it. In this post I was giving stats to emphasize the harmfulness in the increase of immigration. Numbers changed drastically from 1820 when number of immigrants were at a low of 8,385 to in 2006 with the number rising to 1,226,264. This change would seem to correlate with the increase level of poverty and jobs around the nation. Statistics are often used to make situations seem worse than what they are or show the harshness of what they are describing. In looking at this website:
http://immigrationcounters.com/
How do u feel? Are these stats demeaning of the real-life situation or demonstrating exactly what's happening? Does this website make you change your views on how you feel about illegal immigration or help to emphasize your feelings towards the subject?
I would like to add some facts that I didn't previously know. In 2004 a million people immigrated legally into the US. There were specific reasons they were allowed to do this. A few would include:

• employment preference such as certain skills they could provide
• family preference
• relationships with US natives
• diversity
• refugees.

Implications

As I have noticed the progression through my research, illegal immigration is not going to stop unless drastic measures are taken. It is obvious through Bush's actions, the government does not want immigration to stop completely but to be better controlled. With the further increase in border security that is supposed to occur in 2008, the number is going to decrease but not completely stop. I did read something that was confusing to me from two different sites because they were contradictory. One said that immigrants did pay taxes while another said that they knowingly fill out their W2 and W4 so the money they give is given right back. I'm a stifle bit perplexed on that but I believe in the future if immigration isn't at a halt and they refuse to get involved in the steps of becoming citizens, that there will be measures taken to see how long they stay. Sometimes they still play the system by leaving before their allotted time is up just to come back and do the same thing to avoid paying taxes. I think things like this will be better tracked and therefore they will be forced to pay taxes. Assimilation is increasing; English proficiency is growing and there is a decline in poverty.
Immigration is growing and will continue to do so whether we think it's harmful or beneficial. Cultures around American will be blended and jobs will get completed no matter if by native hand or foreign. It's up to citizens to decide how to deal with the increasing number of immigrants because it doesn't seem to be slowing.

look at how much i've grown!!!

At the beginning of this assignment, I thought this would be a straightforward assignment that would cause me little difficulties in deciding a certain aspect on. Immigration, to me, has always been disadvantageous to American citizens because of what we imagine we have to give up for them. My primary views and opinions may have distorted the facts of this topic. When re-analyzing this "predicament", I began to see the perspectives of both sides of the spectrum. This caused me to be more on the fence about my topic rather than completely biased about the situation we are currently having. I'm certainly glad that I was shown another light through research of the topic because it caused me to write more impartial to my feelings. This was through much time, research and conflicting comments on my blog. I will definitely never agree with the way that immigrants don't have to pay taxes. I feel that if they are here for a lengthy amount of time, immigrants should help in the payment of educating their kids among other things. Jobs will always be a debatable subject in this issue. I've changed enough from my previous ways of thinking to realize that they do deserve a better life. This is currently not possible in Mexico and Americas is the next best option. I don't, however, think they should stay here indefinitely. Overpopulation will become a problem that once it is accomplished will be hard to return from. This problem is definitely occurring in California recently. I hope that in my indecisiveness I haven't confused you on how exactly I feel. I want immigrants to have the opportunities of everyone else but not be allowed to stay unless they are involving themselves in the process of becoming a citizen. Although I do believe in the leniency of the government towards immigrants so that they can have better jobs, not all people have the same opinion as me. Numerous amounts of people think that these immigrants are taking jobs from older people that should go to our next generation and not to them. They feel as if immigrants are given extra advantages that citizens don't. This would include lower tuition rates and jobs. In essence, its not unusual to be hesitant to pick a side on a difficult topic as this because apparently the government is also. In 2006, the Senate passed a reform to have tighter border security and yet decided to have legalization for those who live in America illegally. This was voted against by the House but this proves the different feelings people have towards it. Many Americans feel complete opposition to the migration to the states because they feel as if they take advantage of us of our generosity. Immigrants have had major effects on America. It is difficult to accurately say what effects have been due to the increase of immigration or if any other factors caused it. They do, in fact, lower wages for citizens. It has been proven that the wages for low-skilled native workers were reduced by 2.4 percent after the arrival of immigrants but no changes were found in professional workers. America is the great melting pot and we welcome different cultures, lifestyles, languages because that's what makes America such a great place to live in. And as our national anthem ask, "does that star spangled banner yet wave O’er the land of the free, and the home of the brave?" It only can if we let it.

class links

Abortions, legalization of marijuana, stem cell research, and gay households are some of the discussions written about my class members. All of them are quite interesting and worth audience participation because of the thought-provoking way they constructed their blogs. One that caught my eye was about a usually popular subject by students in college and high school. It is the topic of legalization of marijuana and it was completed by two people in my class. This are both worth visiting so that you can observe the different viewpoints that college students have on this topic. The last one is about under-age drinking so as you can tell my favorite topics are one that include ways that would include helping college students feel better!!
The first one can be found at: http://elizabethpot.blogspot.com/
This is mostly done on the argument that the drug needs to be made into prescription medicine so that it can be used by people who need it. Its obvious that the use of this drug illegally will probably never cease but the author doesn't believe that it should be completely legalized. As said on the blog, lots of diseases could be helped by the uses or the treatments of marijuana to these illnesses. The author does an excellent job of describing each disease that could be treated by marijuana and what kind of effects would occur.
The second one is at: http://www.whatyouknowaboutmaryjane.blogspot.com/
This author, unlike the first, believes strongly that marijuana should be legalized. They do agree, however, that it should definitely be legalized for the medical aspect of it. This person does an outstanding job on showing the effects of marijuana compared to the effects of tobacco. In my opinion this blog can make anyone into a believer!!
The next blog has nothing to do with marijuana but it did catch my eye. It can be found at: http://alcohol101.blogspot.com/
It is believed by the author that drinking at a younger age would prevent further complications when older because we would have learned what we needed to do by then. Drinking does cause problems with the liver but it is helpful (in small amounts) to other problems like Alzheimer's. He believes that the age doesn't really matter in the issue of accidents because we all are subject to getting behind the wheel for an accident. This blog, along with the others, make really good points in defending the topic at hand. They deserve to be visited because they are unbiased but they show many different views that should be put into consideration.

Theory on Immigration

Illegal immigration is, and always will be, a very heated topic. Opposing sides will probably never really come to agree on numerous problems that arise. Jobs is the number one issue when it comes down to whether Americans think illegal immigrants shoud be here or not. Many different sites help to illustrate my feelings on this subject because the authors can't distinguish between the help and the harm they provide for America and its economy. This argument could be eliminated if laws were constructed to assure salary wages have a limit as to how much the employers can lower them. In essence, this would help both native born and foreigners. Equal opportunity for both and no one would be forced to live in poverty.This would be appreciated on the opposing sides because immigrants would have the same chance to get a job and work for a better life for the family and citizens couldn't be mad because they will be no discrimination against those who would want higher salaries. The prices that the immigrant are working for are still keeping them in poverty. In 1999 native born people accounted for 11.2 percent of poverty while 16.8 percent of people under poverty level were immigrants. And an alarming 25.8 of Mexican immigrants were living in poverty. They have much lower incomes than that of natives. It begs the question of why immigrants are here if they are facing some of the same things that happened in their home countries. And once again to solve this problem would be to issue a mandated high or higher salary of what they have now. But this isn't going to happen if the government is continuing to be influenced by employers who benefit so much by these actions.

Links Posts (10)

These links helped me to research the disadvantages and advantages of illegal immigration. They helped me realize crucial view points on both sides of the argument. These are most efficient in deciding the good and bad of illegal immigration because they are credible; not just some one's emotionally driven opinions.

http://library.cqpress.com/cqresearcher/cqresrre2007090700

http://www.apatheticvoter.com/Immigration.htm

http://www.newsbatch.com/immigration.htm
(This one involves the helpful and harmful effects immigrants have on the working industry)

http://www.becker-posner-blog.com/archives/2006/03/the_new_america.html


http://www.snopes.com/politics/immigration/taxes.asp

These links display the history of immigration. They are insightful because they tell of the struggles of immigrants. They helped me because I didn't see what hardships people in Mexico, Latin America, and other places had to go through before they decided to try harder in life. Here they are:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/05/07/AR2006050700721.html

(My blogs are mostly about immigrants from Mexico and this website is well-rounded including the history of all immigrants like Germans and Italians.)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1994_economic_crisis_in_Mexico

http://www.cbp.gov/xp/CustomsToday/2003/june_july/ins_history.xml

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/05/07/AR2006050700721_2.html


http://www.pbs.org/kpbs/theborder/history/timeline/20.html

Assimilation

Assimilation is the process of cultures being intertwined. This occurs when many ethnicities blend in the community. Americans have mixed feelings about this process. The ones that oppose it believe immigrants should leave their customs and ways for those of the natives here. Cultural pluralism is when minorities try to participate in the society with the use of their cultural differences. This are some of the many ways that immigrants, those that want to, blend in to the American ways and yet hold on to their old ways of life. I guess in reading my comments this can be seen as a total loss of identities for these people. America is a melting pot of different cultures, customs and languages. Should they be asked to amalgamate into a society for the sake of their right to live here?

the price we're paying for a better life for noncitizens

Interesting stats to look at can be found on this website:
http://www.snopes.com/politics/immigration/taxes.asp
This is a very helpful website in depicting which areas citizens taxes payers' dollars are going. It doesn't include educational needs of their children that are being paid for by citizens. These immigrants aren't required to pay taxes and it just doesn't seem fair when they are seen in the most expensive cars, nicest houses and newest technology. Immigrants don't have to pay because for the certain time given here are to help them get on their feet. But shouldn't the times of residency here be better monitored because it is obvious that that aren't leaving on time? Should they be required to pay taxes because of the threat of them not leaving when time's up?

Reasons as to why America is overpopulated

Mexico has the highest population of illegal immigrants who have crossed the border for a better life. To fully understand the reasonings of the drastic migrations from Mexico to America would be to examine the hardships of such a place. One of the reasons for this was the Mexican peso crisis of 1994. It was caused by the decrease in value of the peso by Ernesto Zedilla and the result was tremendous amount of layoffs and suicides. It was a 30 to 40% weakening of the peso compared to the dollar. Bill Clinton helped to fix the problem by the $50 billion loan. But the major immigrant migration to America is a recent event; with 800,000 in 1970 and eight million in 2000. Many critics believe that many illegal immigrants stay in the states because of the more intense border security and to prevent the need for a recrossing. The Mexican government is truly in favor of the immigration because the money being sent home is the nation's third largest income coming in.

immigration=slavery?

As you have noticed from my last post, I have a new perspective about illegal immigration; the same views but a different take on it. Immigration can be viewed as a replica of slavery even though these immigrants are choosing to migrate into the States. They are discriminated against, racially profiled and don't have the same rights as native born citizens. In the Bill of Rights it doesn't give the rights for foreigners to come here but it does ask for equal treatment no matter what race, gender or national origin. The ACLU was formed to help in such cases where discrimination occurs towards immigrants. American Civil Liberties Union formed the Immigrants' Rights Project in order to assure the government treats all citizens and non-citizens fairly. In my opinion this rights should just be given to immigrants who are trying to obtain citizenship and assimilate into the cultures of America.

Immigration can be perceived as problematic towards the future of the United States or, in another perspective, the precise thing we need for the economy. Illegal immigrants have made America their temporary or permanent homes for many decades now and there doesn’t appear to be an end in sight. In writing this, I’m asking the viewers what stance they have on illegal immigration. Should they be allowed to "hop" the fence and live as citizens in the great melting pot we call America?

America once welcomed immigrants with such statements on the Statue of Liberty as, "Give me your tired, your poor, Your huddled masses yearning to be free..." Not until the 1800s did this become a problem. States issued laws against immigration and thus prompted the Supreme Court to take action. The Immigration Act of 1891 was passed and it regulated the admissions of immigrants into the US. Ellis Island was the main place to be admitted into the United States and these immigrants were mainly Germans, Irish and Greek. Nearly 12 million people landed here in Ellis Island with hopes of a better life during the time period of 1892 and 1954. Not until 1918 were passports required and all they needed was a person to vouch for them. Later around 1949 there was immediate action was taken upon immigrants, mostly Mexicans, in the Operation Wetback. This plan was constructed under the leadership of the commissioner of the Immigration and Nationalization Service, Joseph Swing. 40 percent of American population's ancestry can be tracked back to immigration done through Ellis island. El Paso, Texas was considered the Mexican Ellis Island. Most Mexican immigrations occurred in 1900, when the Mexican Revolution was taking place and US economy was striving. Immigration increased three-fold during 1910 through 1930. Immigration of Mexico and Latin America have not stopped but rather increased rapidly since then. During the time they first came they were discriminated against and stereotyped and the same can be said about today. Currently there are 21,162,009 immigrants that occupy the US. They reside in large places like California, New York, Texas and Florida.

Many critics believe that illegal immigrants take American jobs, threaten national security, and change the culture of America by refusing to assimilate. Jobs will continue to be an issue with opposers of immigration. This jobs are usually low-paying jobs that are considered "beneath" the standards of the average American. These can be anything from housekeepers/nannies to janitors to gardeners. It's argued that Americans would work these jobs no matter how low scale they are. Some immigrants don't try to blend in with the cultures of America. Extra precautions have to be taken to communicate, provide health care services, among other things for immigrants. Gradually most states are making English their official language because of such problems with immigrants who refuse to assimilate. Illegal immigration has also created violent gangs in America. This brings to attention the fraudulent identification papers that can be used by terrorists. Some say that the increase of immigrants leads to the threat of domestic terrorism. However this is believed to be a small threat. These disadvantages keep some Americans from agreeing with immigration whether illegal or legal.

Many people believe there are advantages to immigration. According to Jeffrey Passel, a former demographer for U.S. Census Bureau, about 96 percent of the 4.5 million illegal immigrants in the United States at the time were working. Jobs for immigrants can be considered in themselves a two-sided argument. Employers hire illegal immigrants because of the low pay, the length of time they can work, and the extra effort used to train others. Then it is believed that no matter what Americans are not going to lower themselves to jobs such as what they are employed. It can be said that immigrants are assimilating and have a great influence on the nation's culture for example salsa is now more popular than ketchup. They are becoming owners of suburban and middle-class homes, and more small businesses than whites and African Americans. They are helped in many ways by America including affirmative action for their kids to better educate them.(http://www.harvestinstitute.org/alerts.htm)

Legal action has been taken to deal with the excessive amount of immigrants annually coming to America. The RealID restricts the distribution of licenses to undocumented immigrants or temporary workers. In California, Proposition 187 was approved. It stated that undocumented immigrants were not allowed the privilege of schools, health clinics, and social service agencies. It also required that any state official to report anyone suspected of being an illegal immigrant. Custom Service and Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) have the impossible task of providing surveillance for the border. It includes policing the 7500 mile long border between US and Canada, 11 million trucks, 2.2 million railcars that come into US every year, and 7500 foreign flag ships. In August the Homeland Security decided to tighten up the security in the upcoming years. The border will have better surveillance by the addition of things such as agents, fencing, and cameras. There will be a "Catch and Return" policy that ensures that illegals will be returned if caught. Employers of immigrants who know they are illegal will be punished as is the immigrants caught. All of this changes shall occur in the near future to assist in keeping numbers down to an appropriate level.

Usually I don’t give in to stereotypes, white men can’t dunk or blonds have more fun, but in the case against illegal immigrants I let my feelings come in the way of reason and compassion. Immigrants come from Mexico or Latin America looking for a better life for their family and themselves. It can be argued that the jobs they are working would be performed by American citizens but they are in much more need of these jobs than we are. It does bother me that they are not required to pay taxes while citizens are paying for things that are benefiting them also. I think everyone should be allowed to get back on their feet so they can provide for their family but there should be a time allotted for them to do it in. Immigration should be controlled in more efficient ways that will better help them to live a prosperous life.

US is the new Mexico!!

Poverty! This will always be the main concern for America and we are increasing in the number of people below the poverty line everyday. The cause for this, among other things, is immigration. Currently 15 million people are living in "severe" poverty and it seems as if nothing is being done about it.(http://library.cqpress.com/cqresearcher/cqresrre2007090700). 'Coincidentally', United States of America was ranked second highest in having the most poverty level people! Can anyone guess who came first? Mexico and I'm not trying to be heartless because I know they came over here for a better life than what they had. But in doing this Hispanics are making America a terrible place to live for true citizens for very low costs and minimal consequences. In the last 20 years, the population size for Hispanics doubled making them the first largest minority group in the US mainly due to immigration and high birth rates. They are expected to double in the next 20 years by the Census Bureau(http://library.cqpress.com/cqresearcher/cqresrre2003101700). Even though this is true they contribute the largest percentage of their population to having the lowest income to blacks and whites. Fifty percent make less than 30,000 dollars a household while 42% of blacks make the same amount (http://library.cqpress.com/cqresearcher/cqresrre2003101700). In the South the numbers of immigrants are skyrocketing, just in NC there has been a 479% increase within 12 years(http://library.cqpress.com/cqresearcher/cqresrre2003101700). This is alarming that such an increase can happen in this short amount of time. A better life is what they want but at what price do we have to pay for them to have it?

Illegal Immigration!! still not agreeing with it!!

Immigrants mostly come from Latin America or Asia but are legal while most illegal immigrants come from Mexico and Central America. Immigration can be seen as advantageous in some aspects as been brought to my attention with my latest comments. They increase the number of unskilled workers who work for lower wages. They are younger which would be helpful for the longer amount of time they will be at the jobs and able to work. This immigrants also add the skilled workers.
This does help us in many cases but am I in favor of this? I would have to say still have to say no despite all the beneficial roles they play. In my opinion the disadvantageous overpower the advantages for the increase of immigrants. Taxes we(as in citizens) have to pay for the education of their children is a substantial amount. The low wages that they acquire causes the wages to be brought down to a lower level for all citizens. This low wages also cause the more immigrants to be in poverty.
This among other reasons cause me to not support immigration!!!

disadvantages of illegal immigration

As I have said earlier, immigration is not a topic that affects me directly but I still feel strongly about it. I've grown up hearing negative remarks on the problems of immigration in the US by my parents. I would shrug it off because I had friends, classmates, and authority figures who were Hispanics. Little did I know that these various groups of people could be here illegally. I often think that if I had a closer bonds with Hispanics then maybe I wouldn't feel so opposed to it but in cases like this the big picture is what's most important. Don't confuse my feelings with racism because I have no problems with Hispanics but I feel that if u haven't worked to get here then you shouldn't be allowed to stay. You should not be allowed the same benefits (sometimes more) of every US citizen if you have not become a true resident of this great nation. Ultimately, immigrants, in such a large capacity in such a small demographic area, is a major problem that has to be stopped. At the current time, there are 21,148, 535 illegal immigrants in the United States. This number, over the years, has drastically increased and without immediate proceedings.

It has always been thought that whatever work that Americans don't want to do, Hispanics were the next option. In some cases that would be deemed the truth, with Hispanics taking lower paying jobs. Now these people have the jobs that US citizens could be having. They are taking a free ride on our expense because they don't pay taxes, we're educating their kids and they take the money they make to send to family left back home.

On August 10, 2007 reforms to improve the border security were announced. This is a three step solution to terminating our immigration problem. It starts with the addition of mechanisms to guarantee the prevention of immigration by way of the border. At the end of next year, there will be an increase in border patrol agents, miles of fencing, vehicle barriers, camera radar towers, and uvas. To further help with the immigration problem, local and state enforcement has been trained exclusively. This is another part of the plan entitled interior work and it does what the federal level can't do on its own. Worksite enforcement is to make sure that no illegal immigrants get employment here in the US. If these immigrants do get jobs, they will eventually be punished and if the employer knew that they were illegal, the employer will also.

Legal immigrants or citizens have every right to be here. They've paid their dues to live in this great "melting pot" nation. We all are paying the price for an extreme increase in population numbers. There needs to be better security and issues should be enforced to make this a place that is more suitable for "paying customers."