Running head:

Community Problem Report: Immigration

The University of Texas at El Paso
RWS 1301
November 2nd, 2015
Kevin Guereque

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Abstract
The process and system of immigration has become far more difficult for people seeking
a better life here the United States. Immigration can easily take a turn that will cripple our
economic system and industrial relations with allies as it becomes far more biased. The inflow of
people who want to better themselves and work for jobs that apathetic Americans wish not to,
can lead to essential change in our country. The public is very quick on pointing fingers at the
Latinos and Mexicans here legally or illegally, stating that basic community problems such as
crime and low availability of jobs have resulted from the increasing surplus of immigrants
although this is entirely a biased opinion that is seen as a true fact. In order to get control of this
situation the public should understand that through valuable statistics immigrants do not
contribute as much as the average born American to the problems they hold against immigrants.
Despite that a vast majority of immigrants are here illegally these people come to share the same
ideas we have, to better ourselves and ensure the safety of their own wellbeing and family.

Keywords: Immigration, Economy, Biased, Illegal, Legal, Low availability of jobs, Crime

Introduction
Its been very clear that immigration has risen exponentially in the late 20th and early 21st
century which has primarily been speculated to be the contribution of Latino and Mexican
ethnicity. Theres no argument that Mexicans and Latinos are a huge cause that the numbers of
immigrants have skyrocketed nevertheless Americans have had biased opinions in regard to the
Mexican culture since their arrival; proving how unethical and unwelcoming Americans can be.
It is without a doubt to say that every other immigrant is here illegally but what can also be said
is that they seek a better life as every human being should be allowed to. Its clear to understand
that Mexicans are not the primary cause of high crime rate and the reason for the shortage of jobs
proclaimed by the people in the United States. All the tension that has risen along with this issue
can only be a sign of future conflict with our neighboring country eventually leaving the U.S
with new enemies. This report will cover the advantages of immigrants, statistics in relation with
immigrants, unethical systems the government has in effect towards immigrants, the statistics
surrounding the situation, and why immigrants seek refugee here in our country.

Advantages with Immigration

Citizens born here in the United States have become very defensive when it comes to
foreigners coming into their country and taking jobs theyre unwilling to get, but what they dont
understand is that immigrants are doing the jobs and sacrifices even more, making our country
thrive and prosper. According to Cafaro (2015, p. 61) Mexicans and Latinos seek less skilled
work resulting in them taking up jobs such as janitorial positions, constructors, waiters, garbage
men, all these contributing to society. The jobs listed above are key pieces to our countrys

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success, although they seem like very degraded positions, these immigrants perform as best to
their ability evidently leaving the more highly skilled jobs that Americans so desperately crave.
As individuals we seek our own selfish needs meaning we look out for own needs but when
other people begin taking away opportunities we resent that certain someone, which is occurring
with immigrants and Americans. Cafaro (2015, p. 71), states that 28.7 percent of the U-6
unemployment rate includes Americans who have given up on looking for work and also those
who have been unemployed their entire lives. It cant be greatly exaggerated how important
immigrants are to the industrial business and the services they provide to the United States in
order for it to flourish as it does. Stated by Costa and Cooper and Shierholz (2014) foreigners
contribute nearly 14 percent to income for businesses as of 2008. It goes to show that Mexican
immigrants that make up half of all immigrants here in the U.S are willing to the do the low
paying jobs which benefit Americas industry and economy and once again is being
unappreciated. As stated by Schmiedeler and Heisler (1997) in their video, immigrants are a huge
contributing factor when it comes to labor supply which compliments themselves as they do not
lie in order for assistance from welfare. The realization of it all should stand noticed to all
authorities of the government and open their minds and ask themselves, is this truly a conflict?
Or are our own egos getting in the way of peoples lives?
Crime Rates: Immigrants arent to blame
Americans have become very biased in the last couple of decades when crime rates began
rising in their states, yet they were too blind to realize their own fault was the cause of the up rise
of crime. Research by Bourke (2014, p. 71) shows that through valuable research that Mexican
and Latinos have no intent to risk themselves being arrested and deported since their primarily
goal here is to better themselves with a new life economically and safety for their loved ones.

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One particular reason that stands out tremendously is that these immigrants are leaving the
country or former refugee due to safety reasons, these people visualize America as being a new
crime-free society that will allow them to feel secure and have a piece of mind when they go
about their day to day life. DeSipio (2015, p. 119) states that between 35 and 50 percent of
people in the United States would be in favor of rapidly decreasing the immigration population
to better their country and themselves. Once again the opinions of the American people have
swayed the government into making drastic changes that will cripple our country economically
and socially, therefore leaving our country with very little relations without outside countries
isolating us with our own resources.
Unethical Systems:
Our society and the government has been unwilling to come together and become more
lenient with their behavior therefore leaving immigrants in the broken systems that have been
created by our government to ensure the countrys safety. According to Molina (2013, p. 67)
1,113 immigrant detainees reported being verbally abused ranging from inadequate food being
given to them by the U.S
authorities. The government tends
to show society the negatives
aspects of immigrants but then
leave out what cruel punishment is
being done to immigrants,
evidently the lies fed to the people
has given Mexican and Latinos a

Figure 1. Emphasizing how long the process for an entry

cruel outlook on their true

into the United States can be for Mexicans and Latinos.

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intentions. In figure 1 the political cartoon is implying that U.S authorities waste as a vast
majority of time on processing newcomers but by the time is it all done with, there is no more
reason for the travel to the United States. Research from Motomura (2014, p. 40) shows that a
brief period in the late 1900s had a system known Bracero Program which offered work to
Mexicans and Latinos until it faded away after 25 years of existence. It shows what little aide the
U.S government has for our neighboring country and proves the intentions they truly have
against foreigners, to segregate them till they refuse seeking refuge in the United States as a last
resort. According to Johnson and Trujillo (2011, p. 44) The Plenary Power Doctrine affected
many including Mexicans immediately after 9/11 although they had no fault in the matter. It is
although correct of the government to take precautions after an incident of that caliber but to
point fingers at those not responsible will surely raise question and concerns to the U.S
governments benevolence they praise to be so rich.

Conclusion and Recommendations

Although there has been few alternatives that allow immigrants to seek refugee here, it
doesnt ignore the fact how unethical and inhumane the government and society are approaching
this situation. New methods can surely be able to maintain the relationship with our neighboring
country and the people in it but in order for this to transpire as a country we must be more open
to change and equality for immigrants. More efficient systems that rely on the individual for
example, easier access to citizenship, less scrutiny from U.S authorities, including workshops
that will improve the abilities of Latino and Mexican immigrants. Incoming illegal and legal
immigrants is an issue that is inevitable therefore by aiding them to their goals of receiving a

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new life is the logical and most efficient choice the government and the people of America must
soon accept.

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References
Bourke, Dale Hanson. Skeptic's Guide Series : Immigration : Tough Questions, Direct
Answers. Downers Grove, IL, USA: InterVarsity Press, 2014. Accessed
October

14, 2015. ProQuest ebrary.

Cafaro, P. (2015). Chicago Studies in American Politics : How Many Is Too Many? : The
Progressive Argument for Reducing Immigration into the United States.
Chicago,

IL, USA: University of Chicago Press. Retrieved from

http://www.ebrary.com
Costa D. & Cooper D. & Shierholz H. (2014). Facts About Immigration and the U.S
. Economy: Answers to Frequently Asked Questions. (n.d.). Retrieved
October 29,

2015.Retrieved from http://www.epi.org/publication/immigration-

facts/
DeSipio, Louis; de la Garza, Rodolfo O. (2015). U.S. Immigration in the Twenty-First
Century: Making Americans, Remaking America. Retrieved from
http://www.eblib.com
Johnson, K. R. & Trujillo, B.(2011). Immigration Law and the U.S.Mexico Border: S
se puede? Tucson:University of Arizona Press. Retrieved October 18,
2015, from

Project MUSE database.

Molina, Paola (2013). Re-Immigration after Deportation : Family, Gender, and the
Decision to Make a Second Attempt to Enter the U.S.. Retrieved from
http://www.eblib.com
Motomura, H. (2014). Immigration Outside the Law. Cary, NC, USA: Oxford University
Press, USA. Retrieved from http://www.ebrary.com

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Schmiedeler J. M. & Heisler K. Immigration: Who has access to the American dream?
[Video file]. (1997). In Films On Demand. Retrieved October 15, 2015,
from
=12400&xtid=7059

http://0digital.films.com.lib.utep.edu/PortalPlaylists.aspx?aid

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