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Brigitte Jones

Professor Cho

English 1301 – 4426

26 November 2007

Illegal Immigration

Over the years, a dispute has arisen over the issue of illegal immigration in the United

States. Although there had been an open door policy on immigration for many years before,

today individuals have a different perspective on the situation. While the differences in the

contradictory and racist immigration laws are relevant, individuals should understand that

“illegal immigrants” only desire to provide for their families, as well as, give their children a

future, something that is economically impossible elsewhere, specifically Mexico.

Many individuals would agree that racism should be prohibited. It is negative approach

that only results in more controversy. The United States immigration laws are inconsistent and

racist. Does that mean they should be forbidden? “The United States was created as a nation of

immigrants who left Europe for political, religious, and economic reasons” (Katel 404). They

wanted to better their lives in order to have hope for a future. An example of the inconsistency

“[i]n the 19th century, thousands of Chinese laborers were brought here to build the railroads and

then were excluded - via the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882 – in a wave of anti-Chinese

hysteria” (Katel 404). An individual getting excluded after such an accomplishment signifies a

contradiction. What about the racism? “In 1890, Census Bureau Director Francis Walker said the

country was being overrun by ‘less desirable’ newcomers … whom he called ‘beaten men from

beaten races’” (Katel 404). Also, “[b]efore 1944, the illegal traffic on the Mexican border … was

never overwhelming … [but] the wetback traffic has reached entirely new levels” (Katel 404).
These people, whether they are illegal or not, are human beings. They deserve an equal

opportunity to provide for the well being of their families. Just like Cannon says “… U.S.

immigration policy needs to be reconfigured because of its many contradictions” (Murray 2666).

The racial slurs are used thoughtlessly just as the inconsistent immigration laws are.

Still, illegal immigrants, especially from Mexico, dangerously attempt to enter the United

States daily. Although some may succeed; many others fail. They sacrifice their life in order to

discover ways to improve the lives of their families. “Dust Devils whirl around us as the raw sun

torches the bleak landscape. The hot sun blisters our feet. The vast desert swallows our footsteps.

And the distant mirages consume our dreams” (Annerino 7). The men experience many harsh

difficulties while seeing more than desired. “Searching for higher wages and a better way of life,

undocumented foreigners (the supply) cross the border to find jobs, which the U.S employers

(the demand) want to fill with inexpensive labor” (Murray 2666). They continue to advance

because their families give them hope. “They left behind the respect of the community that knew

them as honest men who braved the American desert to feed their families for the scorn of a

country that depended on their back-breaking labor but refused to see them” (Annerino 76).

People view illegal immigrants as a disgrace to society, but they only want to make a living like

any other. All of the quotations lead back to the most important reason “illegal immigrants” enter

into the United States and that is to provide their families the ability to succeed. “They left it all

behind because Mexico could not offer them, and 40 million others, the one thing they needed

most to pull themselves up out of the depths of poverty and despair; an honest job for an honest

day’s wages” (Annerino 76).

On the other hand, the critics of the nation’s immigration policies have a different view

on the situation. They say “illegal immigrants take American’s jobs, threaten national security
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and even change the nation’s culture by refusing to assimilate” (Katel 393). Katel states that the

immigrants’ advocates believe that illegal immigrants take the jobs that American’s refuse which

in return boosts the economy (393). The largest hindrance is that many employers see nothing

wrong with hiring illegal immigrants; the job has to be accomplished. “‘The crime of the

immigrants is that they want to work hard,’ said Frank Sharry, the executive director of the

National Immigration Forum, a pro-immigration group. ‘The crime of the employers is they want

to help the economy’” (Murray 2666). Evidence shows that the illegal immigrants are not trying

to take away from the Americans; they only want to better themselves. Former undersecretary of

the Department of Homeland Security, Asa Hutchinson, agrees that the law should be enforced;

however, when a family is being productive and contributes to American Society while still

having a good life, yet in fact they entered into the U.S illegally, the illegal aspect cannot be

overlooked (Katel 413). “We understand the humanitarian reasons that brought them here”

(Katel 413). Those facts tie back into the idea that “illegal immigrants” come to the United States

in order to find a solution to their poverty problem back in their homeland.

Nevertheless, “[s]ome say one death is too many. Others: ‘They’re just Mexicans.’ What

is the value of life in America today?” (Annerino 116). Many individuals follow the latest gossip

of celebrities; eight climbers lose their lives trying to climb the highest mountain in a savage

storm; and numerous of onlookers mourn over a princess who dies in a car wreck (Annerino

116). “… [B]ut how many Mexican lives will it take for American policymakers to take notice

that they’re still dying to work for us - and that they’re dying on American soil?” (Annerino

116). Therefore, illegal immigrants are going to continue to attempt to enter the U.S until they

are able to change their financial status. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s manager of labor and

immigration policy, Theresa Brown, says “I would think that most immigrants would prefer to
come in with a visa rather than sneaking in to die in the desert” (Murray 2666). However, “The

back door to undocumented immigration to the United States is essentially wide open” (Katel

414). In other words, why not just allow illegal immigrants in to find an alternative for their

lives? When an individual, particularly an illegal immigrant, wants a better life for their family, it

is a dream; not a crime.

In the long run, “[t]he United States could significantly reduce illegal immigration by

streamlining the application process and by opening more channels for legal entry” (Murray

2666). If the United States would help bolster the Mexican economy, then more illegal

immigrants would stay home (Murray 2666). “If you actually improve things down there, you’re

going to see a huge change. People really don’t want to leave their homeland. But just like the

early Americans, if you need a job, you are going to come” (Murray 2666). Many others also

believe that “if the United States is serious about reducing illegal immigration, it needs to

develop an economic aid package for Latin America, open more channels for legal immigration,

and get more cooperation from Mexico” (Murray 2666). In spite of that, if this was not to

happen, then it might only intensify illegal immigration. This means, of course, that the debate

may never end. Keeping in mind that the “[d]evelopments in Mexico may be as important to the

future of U.S. immigration policy as anything that Washington politicians may do” (Katel 415).

They realize that “[i]t’s not an intelligent way to think about undocumented immigration through

the lens of border control … [w]e really have to work with the market on this, rather than against

the market” (Murray 2666).

We, therefore, the people of the United States should reconsider the negative images that

are involved with the issues of “illegal immigration”. Despite the open door policy that once

resided here, today the policy is a controversy. What one person may view as a positive impact;
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another may see as a harmful event. Whether a person is legal or illegal, they are still an

individual that provides for their family by working. All in all, illegal immigrants want to find

ways of improving their poverty; while American’s want to preserve their economy. Is it wrong

to want a better life? Should one be criticized for wanting what is best for their family?

Absolutely not! Just like any other American, they would go above and beyond if it pertained to

the well being of their family. Also, they would strive to maintain their own identity.
 Works Cited

Annerino, John. Dead In Their Tracks: Crossing America's Desert Borderlands. New York: Four

Walls Eight Windows, 1999.

Katel, Peter. "Illegal Immigration." CQ Researcher 15.17 (2005): 393-420. CQ Researcher

Online. CQ Press. Dallas County Community College Library, Mesquite, TX. 25 Nov.

2007 <http://library.cqpress.com/cqresearcher/cqresrre2005050600>.

Murray, Mark. "Border Games.(illegal immigrants from Mexico)." National Journal. 33.35

(Sept 1, 2001): 2666. Opposing Viewpoints Resource Center. Thomson Gale. Dallas

County Community College. 24 Nov. 2007 <http://0-

find.galegroup.com.library.dcccd.edu:80/ovrc/infomark.do?&contentSet=IAC-

Documents&type=retrieve&tabID=T002&prodId=OVRC&docId=A78566086&source=g

ale&userGroupName=txshracd2500&version=1.0>.