Donald’s Wall: Immigration Reform

Katie Madel

Donald’s Wall:

Immigration Reform

            One of the huge discussions in the Republican primaries is immigration reform. Illegal immigration occurs in large numbers, and both parties grapple with the best way to deal with illegal aliens. This problem encompasses everything from how to keep them out, what to do with the ones currently living in the country, what to do with the children, and then the very process of immigration as well. Both sides cannot seem to find a common ground.

            On one hand, we are a country built for immigration and on immigration. On the other, we are in an age where our country has a history of its own, so we feel less involved in immigrants. So how do we figure out how to reconcile these ideas?

            The first issue to deal with is the immigrants currently in the United States. Many have assimilated and have lives here, but does that make up for the fact they broke laws to come here? I feel that following laws is an integral part of the United States, for the laws enable all to have the freedoms we all cherish. But then what do we do with the immigrants who are already here, already working jobs, already have friends and family? It’s a difficult question. We could give them amnesty for their crimes, give them full citizenship, but how does that encourage future immigrants to follow the necessary means to achieving citizenship? Unfortunately, just like an individual who chose to steal, someone who chose to sell illegal drugs, they must suffer the consequences.

The children present a unique ethical question. It’s one thing to punish the parents, it’s another to punish the innocent children. Interestingly though, the United States is one of the few developed countries that still allows birthright citizenship. Most don’t allow this for the implications of allowing children into a country, but not the parent. So why do we still do it? It is actually considered part of a line in our constitution. All those naturalized or born in this country are considered at citizen. However, this incentivizes illegal immigrants to have their children here. If children too are considered illegal immigrants, the problem is less convoluted. Then should we send the children back after growing up in the states? The answer simplifies to yes, but we can offer them the potential to come back for college programs or others once they are old enough. It minimizes the punishment for the children and offers opportunities to them that their parents likely hoped for. Children, being the future, are likely to benefit greatly from the option of becoming citizens down the road with the promise of college scholarships.

Finally, one of the largest criticism in the immigration process is the process itself. It’s a bureaucratic mess of paperwork, people, and costs. Individuals feel forced to steal across the border rather than deal with these processes. As a country of immigrants, we should encourage legal immigrants to join our numbers, no matter who they are. It should be a zero cost process, simplified as humanly possible, while still assuring truth in documentation. Only those with a history of crimes should be unable to pass through out gates. The process also shouldn’t take any longer than a year.

We want to stop having problems; we need to stop making them. We were all immigrants at one point in our bloodline. Others should be given the same opportunities as we were without having to jump through convoluted hoops. Laws are rarely broken because people want to, but more often because people feel they have no other choice.