Immigration Reform
The desire to immigrate has historically been one of the most popular options for a change of life. While some people may choose to change careers or go back to school, immigration has offered another option for a new life. Going to a new country, especially with a family, can be a brand new lease on life, offering new job opportunities, education opportunities, and a brand new culture to embrace. That being said, there are millions of people that choose to immigrate to America every year. Unfortunately for them, the immigration system in America is broken, leaving hundreds of thousands of immigrants detained in prisons and unsure about their future in the country. This broken system forces immigrants to tread carefully, taking life-threatening risks and illegal actions to stay in the country.
The broken system of immigration in America has been cause for concern for a long time. Since the Bush administration increased the amount of immigration agents and increased the amount of raids in random workplaces and communities, the amount of immigration cases given to the immigration courts has grown exponentially. In 2008, over 350,000 immigration cases were brought to the court, a third of which were never resolved. This backlogging of the courts has led to immigration courts being overwhelmed, and the immigration judges adjudicating immigration cases have become discouraged. It is for this reason and many others that the United States must reform their immigration laws. Here are a few more reasons to consider:
* Undocumented workers have been subject to unfair labor practices, breaking up families who immigrate illegally. Reform could bring these undocumented workers into the workforce, driving the wages of Americans up.
* Many people immigrate with their families, and the family is the most important building block of society. The broken immigration system has forced many who immigrate to our country into detention, breaking up families and forcing the roots out of our own soil.
* The country’s economy will grow with proper organization. However, with the unreliable immigration system, companies are unable to prepare workforces and understand their future, with the Baby Boomers retiring at a rapid rate.
* The country’s security will also increase. Ironically, the immigration system set up by the Bush administration has actually increased the marker for smugglers and illegal immigrants. With proper reform, people from other countries can immigrate to America legally, and allow the government to direct their resources to where it matters — such as smugglers who traffic drugs and weapons.
Immigration reform will change the system for the better, allowing immigrants to legally immigrate without fear of unfair treatment or deportation. It will also allow us to diversify our country and show the world that America is still a land of freedom and opportunity. Should we keep the system, immigrants will continue to be treated unfairly, detained for months or even years or forced out of the country, leaving their families broken and helpless.
