I don't know much about Illegal immigration in the U.S...Could you please explain both sides of the issue?

Question

What are the pros and cons, are there pros? I think I feel our borders should be secure, but I honestly don't know why because I don't understand each parties involved position. Please help educate me

Answer 1

I will throw my hat in this ring as a LEGAL immigrant even though there are some good answers already.

From my standpoint the following are more cons not covered:

(1) Gives the LEGAL immigrant community a bad name, especially those that make it a point to learn and speak the native tongue, english, if it was never their first language

(2) People who shouldn't have to learn spanish to get a job are discriminated against (although I believe more Americans should make an effort to learn a econd language)

(3) The relative success of illegals in getting into and staying in the US vs. the harder legal process will drive more people to try the illegal way - leading to more illegal immigration which then strains the citizens even more (their taxes pay for healthcare etc.)

(4) To curb the overall population of immigrants, the number of people allowed residency or citizenship will decrease dramatically

(5) The rich get richer and the middle-class get poorer (they lose jobs because they are too "expensive")

(6) Anti-immigrant sentiments rare their head and the immigrants who have been here longer (only the native americans are not immigrants) revolt

(7) Social services and prison systems crack under pressure and major problems erupt

Pros (but for who?)

(1) Did I say the rich get richer? Although some will argue that is capitalism

(2) Countries like Mexico get the US to subsidize their poor and they can open their prisons and allow them to get out of their country

(3) Mexican compaines benefit from the money sent back to mexico, both in transfer fees and banking services. The money then gets into their economy - money that was obtained illegally

(4) Western Union, a US company makes TONS of profit

As you can see, there are Pros, just not many for the majority of the US population

Answer 2

Pro-illegals feel that these criminals have a right to be here and that these people are just trying to get a better life. Some claim that the southwest is still Mexico, even though the US bought long ago.

Anti-illegals are sick and tired of people breaking the law, taxpayer money is used to provide for the illegals, the illegal alien criminals are stealing identities and jobs from citizens, the illegal destroy our economy and our health care system, they don't pay taxes, they bring disease with them since they were never immunized, The bring in crime and drugs, etc.....

I think the reasons against the illegal alien criminals are stronger! Sure I understand their point of view but it is wrong!!!! The illegal alien criminals don't care about the law

Bottom line is, what part of ILLEGAL is so hard to understand?

Answer 3

A good example of a negative is Dalton, Ga. Dalton is the carpet capital of the world. Mexicans work cheap so many carpet mills have put signs in Mexico giving directions to come work in the Dalton mills. Many of the mills and sample companies hire illegal mexicans by the truck loads. This takes jobs away from the people originally from here. Employers would much rather hire illegals cause they work for less and will take more abuse. The result is Dalton is now overran by illegal mexicans. Its hard to order food in a resteraunt because the people taking the order can barely speak english. To get an office job you have to speak both english and spanish. Many nurses at the hospital recently lost their jobs because they wouldn't learn spanish. Its hard period to do anything when so many people speak spanish instead of english. Many people who have rented homes to illegals have learned a hard lesson. The illegals tear them apart and leave them. Some refuse to use bathrooms and use other means in the houses. I've personally witnessed them using the bathroom outside the house at all times of the day in plain view of everyone. They come out, do their business then go back in. Many have the overall attitude that they have more of a right to be here and anybody else and we should bow before them. When you go to the grocery store many times you see them with two shopping carts. The first one is stuff that they can get with food stamps, the second is full of beer and stuff not covered. They take it out and put it in a fancy truck or car and drive off. They can afford to do this because they don't pay taxes and the tax payers are helping pay for their necessities. I could go on all day. If you think I'm exaggerating them visit Dalton. I have nothing against anyone who comes here legal and pays their taxes and does what they need to do.

Answer 4

The short answer is most of them don't make enough money to pay for the education and other services their children use, out of taxes. The cost of those services is taken from our own children's education funds, and health care funds for our sick. Our schools are failing and hospital emergency rooms are closing in places where illegal immigrants concentrate. Since education IS upwards mobility, substandard education is jeapardizing our own children's futures, as program after program is cut.

There are reasons every country in the world limits how many poor can immigrate.

The more services like universal education that a country subsidizes for its own poor, the more poor want to come, and the more expensive it is for the host country.

Then there is the double whammy of our own working class having its own wages reduces by mass influx of unskilled immigrants, driving our own workers to poverty. Then they too will need services, the difference being that they are the ones the services were funded for. The middle class pays for this while suffering reduced services itself like education for its own children. That is a huge sore spot. Education is our OWN children's future, and it is being ruined.

Employers profit from depressed wages. However, a glance at the recent Fed reports about how little of this is being shared with anyone under the top 2% shows that the most of the people paying for the services and using them are subsidizing below poverty level wages for employers.

The employers send their kids to private school.

Answer 5

I can just tell you; if you're an immigrant come here legally; if not then don't even think about it.

I'm an immigrant myself and I came here legally and I'd never ever would come here if I didn't have my green card. Now I'm a citizen and have dual citizenship. I'll go back to my country soon.

Illegals should get deported, if they don't pay taxes, are part of gangs, scams, or any other bad things they must get in jail and deported.

Otherwise, If they work hard (legally), pay taxes, and behave properly then they should stay here, and get an opportunity to get their visas.

Answer 6

Sorry but illegal immigration isn't immigration at all, immigration is a LEGAL process. Mexican nationals entering this country illegally are just criminals streaming across the border. There are no pro's to this, they are a burden on American society.

Answer 7

long story short.
Pro-illegal: They should come over here to improve their lives and help their families.
Anti-Illegal: They should get visas and abide by the law like everyone else.

Note: in Mexico, they have very strict immigration laws. Not only that, they treat illegal immigrants (central America) in Mexico terribly

Answer 8

Crime is crime, and coming here illegally is - well, what part of "illegally" don't they get? Just by coming in that way they become CRIMINALS by definition. They do not pay taxes or support the system, yet they leech off us for the free medical care (which we are stupid enough to give them) and those who don't come in for farm labor work are here for drugs and other crime. It is not our fault they were born in a sucky place, and taking them in is not our responsibility!

Answer 9

It comes down to money. Allot of people are worried that immigrant are taking there jobs but the flip side says they take the jobs legals don't want anyway. Some argue this was the same excuse for slavery. Its very complicated.

Answer 10

We don't need to secure the borders. People should be able to travel freely without visas and having to be checked. And everyone should get to live where they want.