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Immigration Issues Rise To National Awareness

People talk of the “sleeping Latino giant” finally awakening. There is no doubt that this giant is awake—and it has a lot to say. The H.R.4437 House bill that passed on December 16th of last year seemed to be the spark that ignited a fiery series of protests, demonstrations, and rallies across the nation. According to the bill, it would be a felony for an illegal immigrant to be in the United States, and anyone who aids an immigrant to stay illegally will be charged with a crime. Since the legislation passed in late 2005, heated debates have ensued. Students across the country are protesting. The stage is set for the U.S. Senate to pass a more moderate bill.

[clockwise from top left] 1.) Illegal aliens climb a fence on the Mexican border without much difficulty. 2.) The Border Patrol only manages to catch a fraction of those crossing illegally. 3.) The U.S. demand for cheap labor, particularly in agriculture and construction, attracts many immigrants looking for opportunity. (top photos: anonymous. bottom photo: courtesy Maggie Hallahan)

Republicans and Democrats cannot come to a consensus on reform bills. Just what exactly are they going to do with the estimated 11 million illegal immigrants living in the United States? It seems that they are working out a plan to allow illegal immigrants the opportunity to earn legal status.

They would have to work in the United States for six years, pay a fine, have a background check performed, and learn English. Once this is accomplished, they will then “earn” citizenship.

Adversaries of this plan say it would give amnesty to those who have broken the law by entering the country without permission. Opponents also state that it would be unfair and unjust to those people who came to the United States the “correct” and legal way.

There was fear of major chaos and severe repercussions from protests on May 1st. However, the turnout was lower than expected and it is still unknown just what the impact may actually have made on the economy.

The United States finds itself in a Catch-22 situation. The U.S. economy has become reliant on illegal workers for cheap labor. On the flip side, these illegal immigrants are costing the nation billions of dollars in services. The Center for Immigration Studies (CIS) estimated the total impact of illegal immigration on the federal budget: “when all taxes paid (direct and indirect) and all costs are considered, illegal households created a net fiscal deficit at the federal level of more than $10 billion in 2002. We also estimate that, if there was an amnesty for illegal aliens, the net fiscal deficit would grow to nearly $29 billion” (“The High Cost of Cheap Labor” August 2004).

When it comes to illegal and legal immigration, no state has been more impacted financially than California. “Analysis of the latest census data indicates that California’s illegal immigrant population is costing the state’s taxpayers more than $10.5 billion per year for education, medical care and incarceration. Even if the estimated tax contributions of illegal immigrant workers are subtracted, net outlays still amount to nearly $9 billion per year. The annual fiscal burden from those three areas of state expenditures amounts to about $1,183 per household headed by a native-born resident” (Federation for American Immigration Reform, “The Costs of Illegal Immigration to Californians,” November 2004).

Illegal immigrants come to this country seeking “American” freedom. Critics content that while the hand of freedom should be extended to those that need it, it should certainly be questioned if the United States is beginning to open their doors unconditionally to any one who would walk through them. President Bush stated in one of his weekly radio addresses, “America is a nation of immigrants, and we’re also a nation of laws”. However, Senator Bill Frist, amongst others, would be first to say that national security concerns should drive immigration reform. “Border security and enforcement need to be the number one priority,” noted Dan Stein, President of FAIR (the Federation for American Immigration Reform).

Just how does the illegal immigration affect the daily life in the United States? About 7.2 million illegal immigrants hold jobs in the United States, making up 4.9 percent of the overall labor force, according to a recent study by the Pew Hispanic Center in Washington, D.C. The study also found that undocumented workers make up 24 percent of farm workers and hold 14 percent of construction jobs.

And what do American citizens feel about illegal immigration? In Washington state, the Elway Poll showed that Washington voters’ biggest concern was that illegal immigrants use services, yet do not pay for taxes.

Real estate professionals are also concerned about proposed immigration legislation that would hinder undocumented immigrants from purchasing homes. Such purchases occur frequently across the nation. According to the Los Angeles Times, nearly 60% of all occupants of HUD properties are illegal.

A survey released by the NFIB (National Federation of Independent Business) showed that of the small-business owners surveyed, 47 percent said the single most important reason illegal immigration constitutes a problem is the cost of illegal immigrants to taxpayers. Other reasons receiving significant support were national security and threat of terrorism (23 percent), disrespect for the law (13 percent), and job loss/depressed wages for Americans (10 percent).

The wave of Latino political activism is far from being quelled. Everyone will be watching the Senate closely as they take up immigration reform before Memorial Day.

Lesley Burns is a freelance journalist who has written socio-economic reports on countries across the globe. Her research has appeared with major periodicals such as USA Today, US News & World Report, The Miami Herald and TIME.

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