Sowards 2
Jacquelyn M. Sowards
Sean Henry
English 1A
5 October 2018
The Difficult Path to U.S. Citizenship
It is said that at the doorstep to America, there is a sign that reads “Keep Out” on one side and, on the other, “Help Wanted.” So, should the United States provide a path to legalization for illegal immigrants? I am of the particularly strong belief that the United States absolutely should. The issue has been at the forefront of American politics for years, and the debate shows no signs of abating. Over a million illegal immigrants have deceitfully entered, or moreover, crashed the borders of the United States and I honestly can’t say that I blame them. The hope of a better life and the opportunities that our nation can provide, drive and inspire these immigrants to acquire and quickly adapt to the American culture, as well as also being faced with the barriers of ethnic division. Europeans, Asians, and Latins are the major ethnicities that drive the country’s immigrant status, however, those behind the borders of Mexico continue to overrule these statistics and understanding the challenges they are faced with in their home countries I support their efforts to find a better life here, and at all costs.
What does a nation do with the millions of people residing in its country illegally? I say let’s make them legal. An illegal immigrant or “alien” defined by the Immigration and Nationality Act of 1952, are people who are not citizens or nationals of the United States. They are foreign nationals who come to the United States without following the legal immigration process to enter and remain in the country; in other words, anyone born in a country other than the United States to parents who are not United States citizens. Isn’t America known to be the melting pot of the world? Well, lately the heat has been turned up, and the pot has boiled over, and our government wants to close the kitchen, something I can’t believe they can actually succeed at doing, but they sure are trying their best.
The general public believe that illegal immigrants should be deported because they are taking away the homes and jobs of those who are native born, but actually they are increasing job opportunities for people and research shows that they are net positive for the economy. Illegal immigrants do not have the proper legal documentation to be in the country, or they have overstayed their time allotted, perhaps on a tourist or student visa. They cannot vote, and they cannot receive social services from federally funded programs or social security benefits; they cannot hold United States passports. But they can but property, and under newer laws can find a reasonable income and make a living for their families to have a chance to succeed at the American dream.
The Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986 provided amnesty to 2.7 Million illegal immigrants already in the United States and established sanctions for employers who knowingly hired them. This has ...
