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Immigration Policy

The issue of Illegal immigration policy and undocumented workers is extremely controversial in this country. Our individual opinions vary greatly; so many politicians have used it as a wedge issue while campaigning. The Free Dictionary.com defines a wedge issue as a sharply divisive political issue, especially one that is raised by a candidate or party in hopes of attracting or disaffecting a portion of an opponent's customary supporters. I have taken a particular interest in this subject since I began to study the Spanish language. Unfortunately, this issue often has a “Mexican or Latino face.” The recent backlash that Latino illegal aliens have received, the outpouring of racist campaign ads that have been airing and discriminatory legislature that has been passed has caused me to have great concern. The climate surrounding this debate has turned so “ugly” lately and I felt compelled to turn the microscope onto this issue for myself.

Whether you support amnesty for illegal aliens or whether you believe that our current policy is toorelaxed, there are a few facts that cannot be ignored. Several big businesses, construction companies, agriculturists, and employers in many service industries contend that the absence of immigrant workers would cause a major catastrophe in the U.S. economy. These groups, specifically, refer to the absence of the unauthorized workforce (Caulfield, 2006). Undocumented workers are estimated to fill 25% of all agricultural, 17% of office and house cleaning, 14% of construction, and 12% of food preparation jobs. Estimates suggest that about 850,000 unauthorized immigrants enter the U.S. annually, and have done so since 1990, for a total of close to 12 million (Passel, 2006) or even 2b0 million (Knickerbocker, 2006). These undocumented workers would not have the drive to travel across our borders if there was not a market for their services. Often times the focus is placed on the workers only and we never really acknowledge the role of the companies who hire these workers every day. Despite the recent bill passed by the Senate that focuses on unauthorized immigrants in the United States, despite concerns about illegal workers, and in spite of the fact that those most specifically targeted are Mexican immigrants, the United States is severely divided about their presence. Border enforcement has been heightened since 1990, and policy makers are aware that most migrants come to work, yet workplace enforcement has low priority. In 1999, the Immigration and Naturalization Service devoted 9% of its personnel to scouring the workplace; that percentage decreased in 2006 to 4% (Portes, 2006). In 2004, only three companies received penalty notices, down from 417 in 1999 under the Bush Administration.Obama administration has quietly begun implementing a new immigration strategy that targets employers who hire illegal immigrants(“Employers Face Stringent Penalties for Knowingly Hiring Illegal Immigrants,” 2010)

The debate over this issue complex andwith over 10 million undocumented immigrants in the US (as of 2009), the issue of illegal immigration continues to divide Americans.Some people say that illegal immigration benefits the US economy through additional tax revenue, expansion of the low-cost labor pool, and increased money in circulation("What Are the Solutions to Illegal Immigration in America?, 2010).They contend that immigrants bring good values, have motivations consistent with the American dream, perform jobs that Americans won’t take, and that opposition to immigration stems from racism.Opponents of illegal immigration say that aliens who break the law by crossing the US border without proper documentation or by overstaying their visas should be deported and not rewarded with a path to citizenship and access to social services. They argue that illegal aliens are criminals and social and economic burdens to law-abiding, tax-paying Americans ("What Are the Solutions to Illegal Immigration in America?, 2010).

This issue effects social workers and other helping professions because most of the undocumented workers are living below or at poverty level. Although they may not be able to directly receive government assistance, i.e. TANF without a social security number, we will come into contact with these people through their children who, if born here, will be eligible for the social services. I also believe that as social workers and helping professionals we should work to create programs that provide services to assist all the illegal immigrants in adapting to our culture and norms. I also believe that we need to consider incorporating learning a second language into our curriculum as social workers to aid with this issue, as well.

Current immigration policy is failing on numerous accounts. Stricter border controls have proved unable to stem illegal immigration flows, leading instead to rising human rights abuses and victimization of border-crossers. Immigration clearly contributes to a downward pressure on wage levels and to decreased job availability in certain economic sectors. Many refugees fleeing repressive governments and violent political situations find themselves rejected by Washington (Stoll, 1997). Immigration policies and programs may reflect the interests of the nation in allowing entry to certain groups of people; however, it is the opportunities and obstacles that immigrants and their offspring encounter on a daily basis that affect the ease of adjustment and mutual acceptance (Stoll, 1997). Economists tend to agree that immigration is a net benefit to the U.S. economy. Immigrants fill jobs that U.S. citizens often reject, help the U.S. economy maintain competitiveness in the global economy, and stimulate job creation in depressed neighborhoods. But net benefits for the economy can conceal serious losses for vulnerable sectors of the U.S. population. It is no secret that many employers ranging from suburbanites to small contractors to major corporations would rather hire foreigners who often work harder for less pay than U.S. citizens (Stoll, 1997).

A new immigration policy should stress ethical and humanitarian objectives by giving priority to refugees fleeing from persecution. It should streamline and restructure provisional work programs that open the U.S. to temporary workers who take jobs that U.S. residents don't want, while guaranteeing the basic rights of these workers to organize and receive worker benefits such as unemployment compensation. It should protect the most vulnerable economic sectors from an influx of low-wage competition. Lastly it should lower legal immigration flows to sustainable levelsand protect the basic human rights of all U.S. residents, legal or not (Stoll,1997).

This issue is very complex. It involves many layers and there is definitely a double standard for the undocumented worker versus the company that hires undocumented works.

I believe that it is easier for us to demonize the people involved who are essentially coming here for a new life instead of affixing at least half of the blame on the companies that break the law by hiring these undocumented workers. I am concerned also because these workers are being exploited on various levels. Not only are they being paid under the minimum wage but they are often facing unsafe work conditions as well. They, usually, have no recourse because the threat of deportment is held over their heads. I have heard some of these horror stories and I personally know several illegal immigrants that are working in the service industry here in Northeastern Ohio. I know that we will have a lot of contact with illegal immigrants and their families, as social workers. That is part of the reason that I am a Spanish minor and am striving to become fluent. I hope to be part of solution and I believe that effective communication with this population is where I can begin to facilitate change.

References

Caulfield, J. ( 2006 ). Line in the sand .Builder, 29(9), pp.90–97. Retrieved October 7, 2006, from &RQT=309&VName=PQD

Knickerbocker, B. ( 2006 May 16 ). Illegal immigrants in the US: How many are there? Christian Science Monitor. Retrieved October 4, 2006, from

Passel, J. S. ( 2006 ). Size and characteristics of the unauthorized migrant population in the U.S.: Estimates based on the 2005 Current Population Survey. Washington, DC: Pew Hispanic Center. RetrievePortes, A. (2006, April 18 ). Alejandro Portes advocates enlightened programs for immigrants. UNC School of Education: SOC News. Retrieved October 7, 2006, from May 26, 2006, from

Michelman & Robinson LLP. (2010, June 10). Employers Face Stringent Penalties for Knowingly Hiring Illegal Immigrants - California Employment Attorney Blog. California Employment Attorney Blog ::Published by California Employment Lawyers, Michelman & Robinson LLP. Retrieved November 01, 2010, from

Stoll, D. (1997). In Focus: The Immigration Debate. IMMIGRATION INFORMATION and Software - ITA; United States IMMIGRATION MENU - Immigration Assistant for Windows; Immigration USA for Windows. Retrieved November 01, 2010, from

What are the solutions to illegal immigration in America? (2010, October 18). Immigration ProCon.org - What are the solutions to illegal immigration in America? Retrieved November 01, 2010, from