Illegal immigration in the United States

Illegal immigration in the United States is a complex and divisive issue that has

been the subject of much debate and controversy. The issue of illegal immigration has

significant social, economic, and political implications for the United States and has been

a cause for concern for policymakers, law enforcement agencies, and the general public.

This essay will discuss what constitutes an illegal immigrant, why so many people choose

to enter the country illegally, the effects these people have on the United States, as well

as the measures that were taken to address the situation.

The term immigrant is not always used to describe people who reside in a nation

other than their country of birth. Additionally, they often used other phrases to identify

the immigration including migrant, foreign-born, and international migrant. There are

four categories of immigration status that someone may fall under while moving to the

United States: citizens, residents, non-immigrants, and undocumented or illegal

immigrants. What defines someone as an illegal immigrant? Those born outside of the

United States, are not United States citizens, and are currently residing here without

proper documentation are considered illegal immigrants. Although they might have

access to essential services like education and medical care in an emergency, illegal

immigrants in the United States cannot take advantage of the privileges of residency or

citizenship.

Bolter (2019) states that the world's largest population of immigrants is by far

identified within the United States and indicates that:

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 “The United States is far from having the largest share of migrants in its overall

population, though. The United Arab Emirates is in the lead, with migrants making

up 88 percent of all residents in 2017. Kuwait and Qatar are next in line, with 75

percent and 65 percent. By United States contrast, the United Nations estimates the

foreign-born share of the U.S. population at nearly 15 percent.” (Bolter, 2019)

According to a survey on illegal immigration into the United States conducted by

the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Camarota and Zeigler (2022) points out

that the index tends to fall between 2019 and 2021 before rising again at the start of the

year 2022. Specifically, similar to DHS's estimate of 11.39 million for 2018, there were

11.48 million illegal immigrants in the United States as of January 2019. It is anticipated

that by January 2021, the number had decreased to 10.22 million as a result of travel

restrictions and other regulations brought about by COVID-19, as well as likely the

worsening of the American economy. The figure then rebounded to 11.35 million by

January 2022, a rise of 1.13 million since President Biden's administration at the start of

2021. This indicates that during President Biden's first year in office (January 2021 to

January 2022) the growth in the illegal immigrant population contributed to

approximately two-thirds of the 1.6 million increase in the total foreign-born population

(legal and illegal immigrants combined).

America is regarded as the promised land, a land of freedom and hope, as we all

know. The education and benefits provided here have been regarded as among the top in

the world. That may also contribute to the reason why so many people desire to enter

America. The United States has incredibly strict immigration and admission regulations,

therefore, the better conditions are, the harder it is to enter. Why do so many people

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migrate to the United States? One of the primary reasons is economic opportunity. Many

people from impoverished countries see the United States as a land of opportunity and

are willing to take the risk of immigrating illegally to seek better economic prospects.

Additionally, political instability, corruption, and violence in their home countries may

compel individuals to flee their homeland in search of a safer and more stable

environment. Family reunification is another factor that motivates people to immigrate

illegally, as many individuals seek to reunite with family members who are already living

in the United States. Individuals who want to enter the United States have several legal

options, including the diversity visa lottery, the American refugee program, employer

sponsorship, other family sponsorship, education, and so on. However, the lengthy and

complicated legal immigration process may discourage some people from pursuing legal

avenues to immigrate and instead choose to immigrate illegally. It necessitates a great

deal of documentation, money, evidence of financial capability, and many other things.

Many people chose the route of illegal immigration to the United States as a result of this

strictness. Since it is illegal, this is very risky. The possibility of being deported at any

time exists for illegal immigrants entering the United States.

There will undoubtedly be questions about how they were able to enter the United

States Illegally. Here are three typical ways which are used to illegally enter the United

States. The first is illegal entry, a type of illegal immigration supported by "coyotes,"

who are smugglers active in the United States-Mexico border region. Border regions

between nations and territories are ideal locations to carry out this kind of action. For

instance, the 1993 Golden Venture expedition attempted to bring in approximately 300

Chinese laborers. Second, when people intentionally remain after their visas have

expired, that is a kind of illegal immigration. Between 30 percent and 5o percent of the

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population of legal immigrants are immigrants in this category. If these individuals are

arrested, they will be banned from entering the United States and deported. For instance,

if someone overstays their visa for less than a year, they may be prohibited from entering

the United States for the subsequent three years, and if they do so for more than a year,

the prohibition may last up to ten years. Finally, border crossing card infringement is an

unusual method. This is the BCC, a card that grants temporary entry over the border. This

is a form of visa for registered non-immigrant entry. Typically, this card has a 10-year

expiration date. Additionally, there are becoming more complicated techniques to enter.

Many people made their way to the United States via these illegal methods.

Vargas (2011), who is a typical example of an illegal immigrant, came to the

United States from the Philippines when he was 12 years old and discovered as an adult

that he was undocumented. He writes an article for the New York Times Magazine in

which he revealed his undocumented status and chronicled his experiences as an

undocumented immigrant. He has to face a lot of challenges and difficulties, including

the fear of deportation, lack of access to education and healthcare, and the constant

struggle to find work and support himself. Vargas confines that:

“But I am still an undocumented immigrant. And that means living a different kind

of reality. It means going about my day in fear of being found out. It means rarely

trusting people, even those closest to me, with who I really am. It means keeping

my family photos in a shoebox rather than displaying them on shelves in my home,

so friends don’t ask about them. It means reluctantly, even painfully, doing things

I know are wrong and unlawful. And it has meant relying on a sort of 21st century

underground railroad of supporters, people who took an interest in my future and

took risks for me.” (Vargas, 2011)

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 Life as an undocumented or illegal immigrant in the United States can be very

difficult and challenging. Undocumented immigrants often live in fear of being

discovered by immigration authorities and deported to their home countries. This fear

can make it difficult for them to access basic services such as healthcare, education, and

financial assistance. They may also face significant barriers to finding employment, as

many employers require documentation or proof of legal status before hiring. This can

force undocumented immigrants to work in low-paying jobs with no benefits or job

security, which can make it difficult to support themselves and their families. In addition,

undocumented immigrants may face discrimination and hostility from some segments of

society, which can create a sense of isolation and vulnerability. Many undocumented

immigrants also live in constant uncertainty and fear, as they never know when they

might be discovered and deported. Life as an undocumented immigrant can be very

challenging, and many undocumented immigrants are forced to live in the shadows,

without the basic rights and protections afforded to legal residents and citizens.

The impact of illegal immigration on the United States is a complex and

controversial issue, with arguments made for both positive and negative effects. On one

hand, undocumented immigrants contribute to the United States economy by filling low-

skilled jobs that many American citizens are unwilling to do, and by paying taxes through

sales taxes and payroll taxes. They also bring cultural diversity to the country and can

have positive social and emotional benefits for themselves and their families. On the

other hand, critics argue that undocumented immigrants place a strain on public resources

and compete with American citizens for jobs, which can drive down wages and job

opportunities for American workers. Additionally, there are concerns about crime,

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although immigrants, including undocumented immigrants, are less likely to commit

crimes than native-born Americans. Therefore, the impact of illegal immigration on the

United States is a complex issue that requires a nuanced understanding of the many

factors involved.

The Dream Act was created was first introduced in Congress in 2001 after

realizing the struggles that illegal immigrants face. Illegal immigrants under the age of

16 are now able to petition for citizenship thanks to the Dream Act. However, a lot of

people opposed it. They argue that it promotes illegal immigration and the hiding of

criminals facing deportation. Supporters claim that the legislation will have numerous

positive economic and social effects and shouldn't punish parents who bring their

children into the country illegally. As of November 2013, 14 states (Texas, California,

Illinois, New York, etc.) had adopted variations of the Dream Act.

Moreover, the United States government has implemented some measures to deal

with illegal immigration, including border security measures, workplace enforcement,

and deportation policies. In recent years, the government has increased funding for border

security, including the construction of a border wall and the deployment of more Border

Patrol agents. The government has also implemented workplace enforcement measures,

such as the use of E-Verify, a system that allows employers to check the immigration

status of their employees. Additionally, the government has stepped up efforts to track

down and deport undocumented immigrants, including those who have committed

crimes. However, these measures have been controversial, with critics arguing that they

are overly punitive and do not address the root causes of illegal immigration. Some have

called for a more comprehensive approach, such as providing a path to citizenship for

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undocumented immigrants who have lived in the United States for a certain period and

have no criminal record. Ultimately, the issue of illegal immigration is complex, and any

effective solution will require a multifaceted approach that balances border security with

compassion and fairness.

In conclusion, illegal immigration in the United States is a complex and

multifaceted issue that poses significant challenges for the country. It has significant

social, economic, and political implications and has been the subject of much debate and

controversy. While it is important to enforce immigration laws and protect national

security, it is also crucial to recognize the positive contributions that immigrants make to

the United States. Any effective solution to the issue of illegal immigration must balance

these competing priorities and strive for fairness, compassion, and respect for human

rights. A solution that is beneficial for all parties involved and builds a more just and

equitable society can find out by working together and engaging in constructive dialogue.

What needs to be directed is creating a system that is welcoming to immigrants while

also ensuring the safety and prosperity of the United States, and this can only be achieved

through collective effort and understanding.

Word count: 1979 words

References

Bolter, J. (2019). Explainer: Who is an immigrant. Migration Policy Institute.

https://www.migrationpolicy.org/content/explainer-who-immigrant

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Bier, D. (2021, April 28). “Why Don’t They Just Get in Line?” Barriers to Legal

Immigration. Cato Institute. https://www.cato.org/testimony/why-dont-they-

just-get-line-barriers-legal-immigration

Camarota, S., & Zeigler, K. (2022, March 29). Estimating the illegal immigrant

population using the current population survey. Center for Immigration

Studies. https://cis.org/Report/Estimating-Illegal-Immigrant-Population-Using-

Current-Population-Survey

Garcia, A. S., & Keyes, D. G. (2012, March 26). Life as an undocumented immigrant:

How restrictive local immigration policies affect daily life. Center for

American Progress. https://www.americanprogress.org/article/life-as-an-

undocumented-immigrant/

Haerens, M. (2006). Illegal immigration. Greenhaven Press.

Vargas, J. A. (2011, June 22). My life as an undocumented immigrant. New York

Times Magazine. https://www.nytimes.com/2011/06/26/magazine/my-life-as-

an-undocumented-immigrant.html