Opinions to the editor
The TPJ wants to hear from you! The Publications Committee will poll members
concerning their thoughts on some of the "hot topics" of the day.
During each quarter, the Committee will draft a question, which will be
distributed to membership, through the Directors. Each question will direct you
as to where to send your response. We will print the responses in the following
TPJ, reserving the right to edit for space considerations. While we prefer to
print a name and city with each response, we understand that some of you may
prefer that we not print your name. We will honor this request, so long as the
response is not contrary to the objectives of the Paralegal Division or the
Publications Committee.
We hope that this column provides a way for PD members to express themselves,
constructively, on issues that impact our profession, our communities and our
country.
Question of the Quarter:
Should the United States offer amnesty to those illegal immigrants who
presently reside in the United States?
The issue of amnesty for immigrants who are illegally residing in the United
States has become one of emotion rather than practicality. One side lauds the
illegal as simply a person who wants a better life for himself and family and
who should be given all rights and privileges of citizenship just by virtue of
being on American soil, while the other side wants to felonize the illegal
entrant and any individual who assists the purported felon.
Those who advocate blanket amnesty have lost sight of the ramifications of
allowing rampant illegal immigration into this country. Besides disregarding
security issues, they have minimized the financial burden this group places on
our social system. Supporters of illegal immigration appear to have no problem
offering a myriad of social services to the illegal with no questions asked
while the American citizen struggles to work through our current system to
obtain the same services. Rather than amnesty, let's at least get those that are
here registered, conduct criminal background checks, determine if they are truly
entitled to the social services, and return to their home country those with
suspect backgrounds or who are a significant drain on our social services.
With regard to the guest worker program advocated by many, including our
current President, there is the argument that these guest workers take jobs that
Americans don't want or won't do. There appears to be a fallacy in this also. A
recent news report dealing with illegal workers in the construction industry in
southern California, finds that the American construction worker's weekly pay
has been dropping dramatically in the past few years as they struggle to compete
with the illegal workers who will work for much less.
It appears that the time has come to close the porous borders, enforce
current laws on the hiring of undocumented workers, get an accurate accounting
of who is already here, and legislate a comprehensive guest worker program that
is geared to those jobs that business simply canst be filled with American
citizens or documented workers.
In the wake of 911, we should have been smart enough to not have gotten
ourselves in the position of having tens of millions of illegal immigrants
residing and working here of whom we have no information.
Patricia, Unknown City
Amnesty--absolutely not. I think this would cause lots of problems in the
international community. Plus, 99.9% of the "immigrants" protesting,
marching, etc. are latino/hispanic. Hardly a cross-section of all of the
immigrants who come to the U.S.
Temporary work visas where they have to pay US income tax--absolutely yes.
Kristine, Austin
This is the wrong question entirely. The true question is one of economics.
We need to fix the Federal Minimum Wage in this country. We need to index it to
the local cost of housing throughout the United States ensuring that anyone
working 40 hours in a week will be able to afford basic rental housing wherever
that work is done throughout the US. Once this nation has embraced this moral
premise, other countries will follow. During the first massive immigration march
in April, we saw Mexican flags everywhere. But they were quickly withdrawn when
white North Americans found them offensive. But that does not change the true
sentiment. People are willing to come to this country with the immediate goal of
earning a lot of money and quickly returning home.
They are willing to live eight people to a room, leave their families and
stay here up to eight years, sending 85% of their earnings back home to La
Familia.
Ultimately, missing their families, they send for them at great personal risk
and cost. If all businesses were made to be good community partners and paid
fair living wages that provide for basic food clothing and shelter, people would
not feel compelled to leave their families and their homeland to come here. This
question would then be mute. See www.UniversalLivingWage.org
for more clarity.
Richard, Austin
Blanket amnesty would not be a good idea, because it would not encourage
immigrants to come into the country legally. Obviously, however, we do not have
the man power to send back several million immigrants. They should be checked
out thoroughly, though, and those with criminal records should be immediately
exported back their country of origin. Those left could be given an opportunity
to earn their citizenship, by keeping their record clean, being gainfully
employed, learning English, etc., with more consideration in this regard given
to relatives of American citizens. The chance of gaining citizenship would most
likely give illegal immigrants an incentive to come forward.
Beth Pippin, Fort Worth
NO. But all the Immigrants should be given the opportunity to become an
American citizen. They should be required to follow the same rules and
guidelines that all other immigrants must follow in order to become a citizen of
the United States. Also, if they want to live in America - all immigrants should
be required to learn the English language, as well.
Susan, Unknown City
I keep asking myself "If they ignore the very laws for entry into this
country, what other laws will they ignore once they get here? What incentive do
they have to do things our way if they do not respect the very things we stand
for?"
Kathy, Longview
First the borders need to be sealed either with a real wall or both a wall,
more Border Patrol Officers, and electronic means. Those caught get deported
immediately.
I believe there are, too, many illegal immigrants to try to round them up and
deport. I would opt for background checks on all who want to become legal. Those
with criminal records should be deported immediately. Those who do not register
to become legal and are caught get deported immediately. The rest would have to
pay a fine for each family member who stays. They would have to then wait for
5-6 years, pay their taxes, and agree to become citizens including learning
English, our history, our symbols, and swear allegiance to our constitution, and
country.
They also, should not get any social welfare of any kind until they are
citizens. Once they become citizens then they can enjoy the "fruits"
of citizenship.
JoAnn, Unknown City
Only if they agree to get a job, learn to speak English, and become a
citizen. In addition, make them ineligible for welfare, medicaid, food stamps
and/or unemployment benefits until everyone in the family has been a US citizen
for at least 5 years and do not grant any child born in this country to an
illegal immigrant "automatic" citizenship
Linda, Unknown City
Philosophically, I say, "No!", for the following reasons:
1. Illegal acts should not be rewarded.
2. Illegal immigrants are demanding so-called "rights" to which
they are not entitled. They demand to be taught in their own language. They
demand special privileges--affirmative action. They demand ethnic studies that
glorify their culture. The whole established culture of the U.S., particularly
in the Southwest, is being changed to a Mexican culture. If you are in my
country, do what the Italians and Irishmen before you have done - enter the
country legally, learn the language of this country, and become a law-abiding
citizen. Don't come here and try to make it like the country from which you
came. If you want that, stay there!
3 This country should not have to pay for the welfare benefits illegal
immigrants are obtaining without making any contribution to the system.
4. Many illegal immigrants have no proprietary interest in this country. They
drink, rob, rape, and kill, then run back to Mexico.
5. If we grant amnesty to one group of illegal immigrants, what about the
others - Iraqis, Iranians, North Koreans, etc.?
Pragmatically, I see nothing else we can do, for the following reasons:
1. There are too many illegal immigrants to round up and return to Mexico.
2. We can't, in good conscience, separate mothers from legal children who
were born in this country. The law establishing citizenship for anyone born here
has outlived its usefulness and should be rescinded.
From Excelsior, the national newspaper of Mexico, "The American
Southwest seems to be slowly returning to the jurisdiction of Mexico without
firing a single shot."
Carol, Austin
No, the U.S. should not offer amnesty to illegal immigrants, because I think
it sends the wrong message about our laws. It is true that many of these
immigrants are working at jobs that no one else wants to do, at a lesser pay;
however, they send a large portion of their money home to their families,
outside of the U.S., which does nothing to contribute to the local economy. And
we also are providing free services to them, i.e. health care and education.
From what I've heard, those who have legally gone through the process have
admitted that it is cumbersome and lengthy. Maybe the issue is not just illegal
immigrants, but an inadequate legalization process.
Pennie, Fort Worth, TX
No. Amnesty should not be provided to anyone who breaks the laws of the
United States. Citizenship should only be granted after meeting U.S.
requirements. It is unfair for amnesty to be granted to illegal immigrants when
legal immigrants played by the rules.
Betty, Fort Worth, TX
My initial response to this question was a resounding "No!" Then I
began to examine my feelings regarding that answer, and came up with several
reasons for it. For one, I think it is a slap in the face to those immigrants
who gave up citizenship in their homelands and worked so hard to learn our
language and become citizens of the U.S. Secondly, I think it is an insult to
Americans for these illegal immigrants to refuse to learn our language and to
still claim allegiance to another country, all the while expecting to receive
the benefits of citizenship here. I hear the argument that they will take jobs
that Americans will not take, and I simply do not believe this is true. However,
they will work for less money than most Americans will, so perhaps that is why
they find jobs so easily w American businesses are always looking at the bottom
line, and salaries are a huge chunk of the budget for them. I don't think there
is any "quick fix" to this problem, and I think that amnesty is
clearly the wrong approach. If these millions of illegal immigrants (does that
sound better than "criminals"?) want to stay here, then I believe they
need to make the decision to become citizens of our country and pledge
allegiance to the United States of America. If they are not willing to pay that
price, then we need to deport them back to their country of origin. I say the
ball is in their court, not ours. I remember something about a couple of
skirmishes at a little mission called the Alamo and some place called San
Jacinto -- seems as though Texans were determined to live independently of
Mexico. Imagine that!
Mona, Longview, TX
No, I do not believe in granting amnesty to someone just because they are
already here. Those people entered our country illegally, many of which have
enjoyed the services paid by tax dollars of the citizens, while contributing
nothing themselves by NOT paying taxes. I believe they are a drain on our
Nation's economy, which outweighs whatever benefit they serve to industries in
cheap labor.
Rhonda, Austin, TX
My father came to the United States in 1961.K He came here legally and lived
his life every day thankful for the opportunity to live in a free country where
he could make his own choices of where he lived, worshipped, worked and played.
I believe that everyone dreaming my Dad's dream should be given the chance to
see that dream realized. However, obtaining the dream by dishonest means is not
acceptable to those who struggle through and get here by following the rules.
Consider: (1)Most people repeat behavior. If a person is here illegally now,
what makes you think that person will respect and follow our laws if that person
is allowed to stay? We have enough problems with crime; let's not invite trouble
if we can avoid it. (2)What are we doing for the US citizens who are living in
poverty already? Do you think bringing in the poor from other countries
(which I must assume they are, otherwise they would follow the proper procedure
to enter this Country) to take the already scarce jobs for the unskilled labor
force, and draw from the already strained welfare resources is going to improve
the already depressing living conditions of any of them?
Historically, America has always welcomed the unwanted, the outcasts and
refugees from other countries. When our country was young and there was more
than enough "space" to go around, the rules could be bent and no harm
done. Today, everywhere you go, overpopulation is a problem; employment
opportunities for those who do not have a college education or a trade are
scarce; farms that once fed our Country are being turned into subdivisions. A
prudent person would rethink the offer of amnesty to any illegal immigrant
living in the United States.
Judith, San Antonio
I do not believe that illegal aliens currently residing in the United States
should be offered amnesty. Where do we draw the line? They are breaking the
law--Why should they be treated differently than others who have previously
illegally entered this country and were subsequently deported. My ancestors and
my husband's ancestors are here legally after coming to this country and
painstakingly doing what was required of them to become American citizens. To
let illegal aliens into this country and have them not be held accountable for
their illegal activity is a slap in my ancestors faces.
Marsha, Austin
No. Why should we reward them for disobeying our laws? It doesn't seem like
that gives them any incentive to obey any of our other laws.
Jan, Austin
No, while I understand their plight, they should go through the steps that
ALL individuals who want to become American citizens must go through. I think
what needs to be looked at are the immigration procedures and making these
procedures more responsive to the needs of both the US and its citizens and
those wanting to become US citizens.
Lynda, El Paso
Absolutely not! I think too many people are allowing their emotional
attachment to the issue to cloud their judgment in this matter. Common sense
dictates that anyone who has arrived in the United States, illegally, should
either seek citizenship or other legal authority to stay in the U.S. or should
go back from whence they came. I realize that most of us are descended from
immigrants. However, the descendants of the founding men and women of this
country and those who have legally sought and obtained citizenship in the United
States have earned the right to call the United States their home. If those who
are currently in the U.S. illegally are allowed to stay, what happens tomorrow
and the next day and the next. Too many people currently live in the United
States who are not loyal to our foundation. They want the benefits, but neither
they nor anyone in their families have earned the benefits. If they want to live
in the United States, they need to embrace our culture. If they do not want to
embrace our culture, then they do not need to seek to live in the United States.
Those who have sought citizenship have learned about our culture, our
foundation, our Constitution and have accepted the United States as their home.
Anyone who is in the United States illegally now should not be granted a free
pass. It should be earned.
Deirdre, Lubbock
No. These individuals should go through the proper channels to obtain legal
status in the United States.
Peggy, El Paso
No. The rules for citizenship are there for a purpose, and every time we
bypass the rules or laws, the standards for citizenship are lowered. Amnesty
would also lessen the person's ability to become a part of the melting pot. They
would never understand how America came to be, the struggle it had to become
what it is today, and why the constitution is the way it is. They would just be
a person of another nation living in America. They would never learn what it
means to be an American. For those of us who are born in America, we go to
school and learn the history of our country and who our forefathers were. If the
immigrant is not of school age, how do they ever learn what it means to be an
American? Would they cling to their own culture? Could they be loyal to this
country?
My great grandfather was a Czech immigrant. There was no amnesty for him, and
he proudly stood up and said he was an "American" and wanted to be a
part of all this country had to offer and do his part. He was Czech by heritage,
but his nationality was American. My mother did not speak English when she
started school, and she was in a Czech community. She had to learn to speak
English. There was no special bilingual education for her.
Juanita, Temple
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