Case Transcript

Audience: The audience that I would be speaking to is in the sphere of government and politics.
Due to that the legislative branch of the federal government decides immigration decisions,
usually prompted by who holds office.  From there, the president would sign into law thus giving
the executive branch implementation of the policies passed.

We see the word immigration often in the news. The topic itself can bring a lot of
controversy, as many have their own opinions behind immigration. But there’s more to political
banter over dinner that lies underneath immigration. Immigration reform through out the years
has been a back and fourth conversation that many politicians find hard to find the correct
solution too. Through out my argument, I hope to make immigration reform better to understand
and as well as the problems that are pillared to keep it running.
America runs on immigrants, from labor to tech, America wouldn’t be the country it is today
without the hardworking hands from those who came here. Current immigration reform deters
many to get legal status here. Politicians should focus on the convoluted policies placed upon
immigration reform. If we make the pathway easier, we will see a more prosperous environment
for not only citizens but non-citizens as well. Open Society foundations writes that the U.S.
Census Bureau recorded that there were approximately 45 million immigrants in the United
States. Which means 28% of the U.S. population is made up of immigrants according to a 2018
Current Population Survey. With the amount of immigrants that make up the U.S., there is
outstanding evidence that they play a fundamental impact on our economy, growth, and cultures.
Markewatch.com supports that benefits of a efficient immigration reform is hard to overlook.
Stating that immigration reform could reduce the deficit by $135 billion over the next decade.
Following that, the benefits of immigration reform has a positive impact on the national budget.
Although, to get that benefit, there would need to be better pathways for citizenship and decrease
of immigration enforcement. The strict enforcement from ICE, which was created by the
Department of Homeland Security in 2003, has cost federal government approximately $381
billion. In 2020, border enforcement hit increased ten-fold, hitting 4.9 billion dollars to secure
it’s duties. Without these expensive avenues, it shows that it could benefit the national budget
greatly.
Often, we hear the argument that immigrants take American jobs away. Research shows that
contrary to the common belief, immigrants contribute greatly to the economy.  It is shown that
immigrants also tend to work high demand jobs that are vital to the America’s economy and
communities. Center of Budget and Policy Priorities says that labor force participation in 2018 of
immigrants was 65.7%, which was higher than the U.S, native born at 62.3%
ABC News published a piece on this exact issue. Daniel Costa, director of immigration law and
policy research at the Economic Policy Institute explained that both low and high-skilled jobs
would be effected. It stated that in 2014, immigrants earned $1.3 trillion and contributed even
more federal and state taxes. Without immigrants, there would be fewer business and inventions,
Jeremy Robbins, director of the Partnership for a New American Economy states. Immigrants
not only contribute their culture and knowledge but helps advance our everyday routines.
Following these claims, the solution that I would like to pose is that the pathway to citizenship in
the United States should be clearer and easier for applicants. According to the American
immigration council, over 1 million immigrants enter the country as lawful residents.  All
immigration cases are not all processed at the same time, due to that each case is different. There
is a common argument that those should get “in line” for legal status, but in reality, this is
nothing close to a linear process.
The last stage of the process is Naturalization, but even this needs improvement. The American
Immigration Council writes that with improvements on immigration integration, will ultimately
lead to economic growth. But to see improvement, we must see better integration policies. The
grueling immigration process can leave many immigrants feeling overwhelmed and frustrated
with a naturalization ceremony waiting for them at the end of the journey.
We all hope for a better country for those closet to us. There are ways we can make such a
divided issued into something that could greatly benefit generations after us. The money that
could be saved could be used for pressing matters within our government and communities.
Immigration reform is a complicated subject, but we should all learn the facts of it and how we
can better it. If we create a better pathway for immigrants to work, live, and share their cultures,
we can see the a better world to leave for those after us.
 Reference Page

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https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-utl/20-Immigration%20and%20Taxation.pdf