Immigration+Assignment+10

===**The illegal immigration issue in the United States is essential because it thoroughly affects our economy, highlights discriminatory problems, and put forward the need for political or** **social reform.** Citizens, as well as illegal immigrants are pushing for reforms in immigration policies. It is a tug-of-war issue in which two great influences in the United States, immigrants and natural inhabitants, are fighting for different law enforcements. Illegal immigrants desire the same rights as legal citizens, while legal citizens are hoping for more enforcement on current immigration laws. The issue of immigration has become more crucial than ever. By 2008 a boom of 11.9 million immigrants were living in the country, and there were m ore illegal immigrants than legal immigrants coming into the country.===

===The push for change in immigration policies may not be brought about in the correct manner. Legal citizens are making it harder for illegal citizens to live in the country by emotionally abusing them. The New York Times magazine proclaims, “Any blanket checks of arrestees, both innocent and guilty, could easily provide cover to police departments that use neighborhood sweeps and mass arrests as a pretext to “cleanse” communities of unwanted immigrants — not just violent criminals, but harmless housekeepers, day laborers and gardeners.” The anger against illegal immigrants is posed indirectly through accusations and an obvious invasion of privacy.===

===Citizens are going about the immigration issue in negative ways as they emotionally abuse and discriminate those illegal immigrants. For legal citizens, the issue may be more about cultural and social standards. Roger Lowenstein from The New York Times pronounces that “from an economic standpoint, immigration is no big deal and that a lot of the opposition to it is most likely social or cultural.” Legal citizens might just feel indifferent towards immigrants because of their social and cultural differences. This might possibly create discriminatory actions or racists thoughts of another group. Yet, because of this opposition towards one another, it would  be a major reason for a failure in assimilation between groups.===

===Illegal immigrants may possibly have  a positive affect on the American economy. The most common complaint from legal citizens is that “our jobs are being taken by illegal immigrants.” Lowenstein also says “…but the consensus of most is that, on balance, immigration is good for the country. Immigrants provide scarce labor, which lowers prices in much the same way global trade does.” Economically, immigration has had a prominently positive affect on the nation.===

===The immigration issue needs to be looked over and handled with sensitivity. Our economy, racial discrimination and social reform are influenced greatly by immigration. I feel that immigration policies should be more leniant toward illegal immigrants. People may sometimes forget how hard it is to settle in a strange, new country.===