The debate over the morality of current immigration laws in the United States is becoming more tense this year. There are millions of illegal immigrants living in the United States who have built their lives in a country where not all welcome them. People of all ages take the treacherous journey from surrounding countries to seek opportunity in the United States. According to the Center for American Progress Action Fund (CAP), presently, 10.2 million illegal immigrants have jobs and are living in communities throughout the United States. Around 40 years ago, Congress changed the U.S. immigration system, endangering a generation of migrants. Millions of illegal immigrants have built lives for themselves in this country.
Changes to the immigration program have put generations of undocumented immigrants at risk, threatening the lives they built in America. Although illegal immigrants have a bad reputation, they benefit America substantially.
Numerous push factors, or motivations to migrate, urge immigrants to relocate to the United States illegally. Immigrants seek opportunities in the United States and attempt to cross the border without permission. In South America, 12 countries are designated as developing countries. In these countries, the lack of money is often a significant issue and affects a majority of the population, causing them to seek economic opportunities in America. Global Issues reports that in 2021 alone, 1.66 million illegal immigrants were held back from crossing the southern U.S. border, consisting of 145 thousand unattended children. Emigrating from 160 countries, a great number of immigrants fled seeking economic opportunities. Job opportunities and the pursuit of wealth have brought a substantial number of immigrants illegally to the United States.
People not only relocate for economic success but also for survival. Various push factors urge people to move from their homes to seek a safer life. For example, numerous parts of the world are becoming uninhabitable because of poverty, civil war and brutality, extensive droughts, recurring floods, and rising sea levels. With the increased number of people moving to America without permission, the government proves to be incompetent, violently addressing the issue with government programs that continuously harm innocent civilians. The government fails to peacefully face the issue of illegal immigration, violently pushing immigrants away from the United States. Millions of people immigrate to the United States each year, whether it’s for survival or opportunity, the government’s steps are immoral.
Inaccurate stereotypes lead American citizens to believe that illegal immigrants are a threat to their home country. Some citizens assume undocumented immigrants are dangerous and pose a threat to their safety due to misinformation that has been perpetuated. It has been proven that illegal immigrants do not threaten the United States. The Liberation Cato Institute gathered the incarceration rate of American-born citizens is 1.53 percent, in contrast to 0.85 percent for illegal immigrants. The incarceration rate for illegal immigrants lowered to 0.5 percent when Cato removed those in jail for immigration offenses. Although a great number of people believe that illegal immigrants are a danger to the United States, there is a larger number of Americans in jail than illegal immigrants, illegal immigrants often less likely to commit crimes. Also, the majority of imprisoned illegal immigrants are incarcerated due to breaking immigration laws rather than committing violent crimes. Under the federal program DACA, an even lesser number of immigrants commit crimes. In his article “No…Immigrants Don’t Commit More Crimes Than US-Born People” Alan Gomez, a writer for USA Today states, “In the six years since the program started, only 2,127 DACA enrollees (0.27 percent) have been removed from the program after committing crimes or being identified as gang members, according to data from Homeland Security.” The DACA program, which creates a path to citizenship for illegal immigrants, has recorded that few illegal immigrants are associated with misdemeanors. Contrary to the prominent, incorrect belief that illegal immigrants threaten the safety of America, they commit fewer crimes than native-born Americans.
Illegal immigrants are meaningful contributors to the United States’ economy and workforce. Most illegal immigrants in the United States are employed and contribute financially to the U.S. tax system. Since immigrants are ineligible for the majority of federal benefits, it is confirmed that immigrants are clear contributors to the Medicare and Social Security arrangements. Immigrants do not benefit as greatly as U.S. taxpayers, yet they contribute equally to the tax system. Also, immigrants maintain crucial positions in the workforce. Americans benefit considerably from illegal immigrants working in the United States. Approximately five million employed illegal immigrants, or three out of four, are critical personnel. Illegal immigrants look after patients in hospitals and assist medical programs, upkeep America’s infrastructure, contribute to critical care for those of all ages, and educate the youth of America. In the workforce, illegal immigrants contribute to the framework of America through their hard work. Undocumented immigrants are a necessary component of the nation’s structure. In the workforce, illegal immigrants’ hard work benefits America by driving the expansion of the labor force. Illegal immigrants are a necessary component of the economy in America.
Even though stereotypes have led American citizens to believe that illegal immigrants are dangerous, they benefit America in numerous ways. Illegal immigrants are a necessary part of America’s structure and contribute greatly to the economy and workforce. Immigrants are flourishing into individuals who greatly impact the community around them. The government is continuously using violence to face illegal immigrants, rather than maintaining human respect. In the 21st century, illegal immigration is a growing issue, but, despite contrary beliefs, illegal immigrants do not harm America.
