Illegal Immigration

Over the past couple of weeks my Spanish class has been studying Illegal Immigration and it’s effect on life in the United States. The more I learn about it, the more I think that there needs to be an easier way for people to enter the United States legally. Immigrants, both legal and illegal are a huge part of today’s society. If all of the immigrants in the United States were kicked out, our economic system would start to collapse. Not only are there a lot of immigrants working in less desirable jobs, but in positions of power and influence as well. I’m not saying that everyone should be allowed to enter the United States, or that they should be let in freely, but I do think that there needs to be a way for people to become legal without having to be an expert on the history of the US. I realize that illegal immigrants are filling public school systems to a breaking point and that millions of dollars are spent on their education, but if it were easier to become legal, they would pay taxes and be a normal citizen and there would be more money for the schools to use. I think that just the (relatively) simple step of changing citizenship tests and the strife immigrants have to go through to become legal, would make a world of difference in just about every aspect of life.

By Stephanie Gray on May 01, 2008 at 09:31 PM

In school I am taking a course on immigration and the effects it has on a specific region. We studied 4 precise regions: Texas, Florida, California and New York, and found out different statistics, facts, and information on immigration. In all areas it seems as if the population of immigrants is growing, especially illegal immigrants. In many areas, mostly urban, the public schools are becoming over crowded; in places such as Florida, the government is thinking about paying students to go to private school in order to even out the number of students per grade. Illegal immigrants provide much of the intensive labor work in the United States today, however the cost to maintain the immigrants is more then they’re spending to be here.

My main question is, if immigrants weren’t in our country how would our society be today? And would our economic system be stronger or worse due to the loss in thousands of illegal immigrants.

By Sara Marsh on May 01, 2008 at 12:06 AM

Illegal immigration

After learning about immigration and illegal immigration in my Spanish class, I began to think. What effect do illegal immagrants have on our society today? What would life be like today without these illegal immagrants? These were all questions that I started to ask myself. Although illegal immagrants provide much of the labor intensive work that is needed in the United States today, I highly disagree that they sould be allowed in our country today. They take up much of Americas school systems and other things without having to pay a single tax. It is just not fair under any circumstances and should not be tolerated.

By Chris Lane on April 30, 2008 at 08:56 AM

Immigration

In our Spanish class, we are studying about immigration and how much money is being used yearly on immigration costs. We looked at the different costs in Florida, California, New York, and Texas. In California, the cost of education three million illegal aliens with children exceeds $2.2 billion. In Texas, $3.9 billion is spent annually educating the children of illegal immigrants. In your synopsis above about The Cost of Illegal Immigration – Edward Schumacher-Matos you ask who should pay. I feel like know that it has gone on for so long, that it is too late to pay and that taxes in each state are already covering the price. Also, if immigrants are getting a better life in the United States, why should we do something about it now and worry about the costs when they are already in the billions?

By Melissa Lefkowitz on April 30, 2008 at 08:54 AM

Immigration

Dr. Matos, in response to your question I have merely one answer, there is no answer. Immigration has no solution, and has no end. It is human nature to want to better yourself geographically and by any means neccessary. Opportunity is often more alluring than safty, and immigrants are necessesarily considering the American taxpayers prior to crossing the border. The immigration debate will work itself out eventually, because America will not always be the best country to emigrate to. The way our economy has been lately, and our foreign relations policy hint that we will soon be ousted from out spot as the worlds only superpower. Thank you for listening and I hope i provided a new insight on why immigration has no solution, and how all imigration runs its course.

By Jonathan Zibrak on April 30, 2008 at 08:54 AM

Immigration

Illegal Immigration to the United States is obviously a very prevalent topic for discussion these days. Even with many North Americans complaining that the Central and South Americans are eating away at resources, little is changing. Although many illegal immigrants still work their way into the country, I believe an equilibrium must be maintained. Opening up the boarders would be the cause for a massive overpopulation crisis. If we found ourselves wildly overpopulated, our resources would be even more drained and the American people would simply have more to complain about. Essentially, I believe things should remain as they are. If a Latin American is willing to risk their lives to come to this country, then why not?

By Nathan on April 30, 2008 at 08:52 AM

Immigration Costs

In spanish class, we’ve been reviewing the costs and conditions of immigrants coming to the United States. After researching immgration facts and trends in New York, California, Florida, and Texas, our research has shown that illegal immigrants come with negative and positive contributions to the United States. While immigrants have worked the minimum wage jobs that the majority of Americans do not want, they have set each state back millions of dollars. At the start of the 20th century, the number of illegal immigrants were much less than they were today. If the United States doesn’t pass a garunteed law that illegal immigration will end, states with higher illegal immigration (such as California) will go bankrupt. The cost to cover the number of illegal immigrants in public schooling system is only going to continue to rise. While I believe that these immigrants deserve an easier way of life, it is unrealistic to believe that this can continue forever.

By Hayley Brooks on April 30, 2008 at 08:44 AM

Immigration

Immigration is so controversial because we are all tied to it somehow. Whether we are immigrants or our ancestors are immigrants, it’s our decision as to how immigration plays out in the United States today. Immigration is a wonderful contribution to our economy and to our country’s diversity, but it also takes away from the resources we have- such as small classes, affordable housing, etc. The harsh reality is that even if we morally feel obliged to increase immigration rates, we may not have the amount of resources to adequately care for such an increase in people. Especially when we in America are already facing issues with overcrowding. (Higher pollution, dangerously overpopulated apartments, large classrooms with not enough supplies…etc). The problem at hand may be more than just how to regulate immigration it may be how we revamp our economic system to accomadate immigration.

By Nicole on April 30, 2008 at 08:37 AM