Immigration Case At Liberty University CJUS 380 April

Immigration 1immigrationcaseyliberty Universitycjus 380april 17 2023

Immigration 1 immigrationcaseyliberty University cjus 380 april 17 2023

Immigration 1 Immigration Casey Liberty University CJUS 380 April 17, 2023 Immigration 2 Immigration Problem statement A nation of immigrants is a common way to describe the United States. Except for Native Americans, most people who call the United States home are immigrants, their ancestors, or former slaves. Food, language, and the arts are just a few examples of how this diversity has influenced American culture. Many other aspects as well. Bullock, Haddow, and Coppola (2017) defined immigration as the act of moving from one country to another and residing there as a permanent resident or legal citizen of that country." Immigration reform is a strongly contested and contentious topic because politicians have long struggled with the economic, security, social, and human rights concerns that surround it.

If immigration laws need to be amended, they should be based on compassion for everyone involved, including those who already reside in the United States and want to immigrate there. The only morally and ethically acceptable action is to let everyone who wishes to immigrate to the United States do so and have their applications and evaluations based on their qualifications, not their ethnicity or religion. Immigration rules should not be discriminatory toward any one country or based on an individual's income, education, or political or religious beliefs.

Literature Review Background of the problem Immigration 3 Ever since the first explorers came to America, immigration has been a hotly debated subject in the country. Since nearly everyone in the country is a direct offspring of an early immigrant, the country is often referred to as the "melting pot." For one reason or another, the U.S. has always been a country where people seek sanctuary or migrate. Whether it is to escape a dictator or just take advantage of the wealth of options available here, many people who immigrate to the U.S. do so in search of a better life. A significant portion of the United States expansion at the turn of the century was due to immigration, which also had an impact on urban culture, population, and economic development. Open immigration is one of the fundamental ideas that has contributed to the greatness of this country and allowed millions of immigrants to live better lives. When the founders of the first colonies only allowed people whom they believed to be Caucasian to immigrate and become citizens, migration started in the 1600s. Before the start of the industrial age, when immigration into the U.S. started to rise drastically, immigration only made up a small portion of the country's population throughout the ensuing two centuries. Bullock et al. (2017) claim that immigration boosted the U.S. population by over 30 times between the 1820s and the following 100 years, adding 30 million people to the country. With the first Immigration Act passed in 1882, the United States began to implement immigration policy. According to Bullock et al. (2017), this Act levied a tax on anyone entering the country illegally to raise money to fund and enforce immigration laws. Many more measures were introduced due to the later immigration laws and acts to restrict and vet potential immigrants. They also stated that the procedure for immigration into this country is becoming standardized and regulated, with documentation and manifest records identifying individuals who were admitted and those who were barred from entering because of concerns about additional immigration after World War I, the Literacy Act of 1917 was enacted at the beginning of the 20th century. The Emergency Quota Act, implemented in 1921, limited the number of immigrants from each nationality to just 3% annually because of the Literacy Act's minimal impact on immigration. The United States did not start to relax its restrictions on immigration until after World War II and the passage of the War Brides Act of 1945, the Displaced Persons Act of 1948, and the Refugee Relief Act of 1953. These three laws made it possible for many families and war refugees who would not have otherwise been allowed access to the country to enter. Over the course of the following few decades, numerous changes and laws were passed, giving more displaced people—including refugees and escapees—the chance to find safety. The Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986 increased the Immigration and Naturalization Service's (INS) ability to exercise law enforcement authority and impose penalties on any employer who hired unlawful immigrants. Immigration continued to increase until that point. In the 1990s, immigration started to rise once more, and thanks to a lottery system, the immigration system was designed to make it easier for inhabitants of less developed nations to become citizens. Each year, the number of immigrants entering the United States grew steadily until it eventually exceeded 1 million. Following the September 11, 2001, attacks, the INS was divided into three divisions: U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (USCP). Since the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, immigration reform has stalled significantly due to the heated debate it has generated among the public and policymakers (Orrenius & Zavodny, 2019). Immigration needs to be reformed, but not at the expense of dismantling families, losing the talents and skills of foreign labor, risking economic suicide, or sending thousands of individuals back to unsafe nations. Supporting evidence The U.S. economy will benefit from allowing unrestricted immigration. Martin P. L. (2016) found that 26% of the workforce in agriculture was made up of undocumented or illegal immigrants. After that, 15% of the workforce is in the construction sector, and 9% of the workforce is in production and general services. Losing this workforce would devastate agriculture, raising food prices while slowing the building sector and creating huge delays in infrastructure (Abramitzky et al., 2019). According to studies on immigrant integration, current immigrants are assimilating into American society just as quickly as earlier immigrants and are picking up English more quickly than those who immigrated in the early 20th century. The economy of the United States benefits greatly from immigration as well. The most direct way that immigration improves potential economic output is through expanding the labor force. The productivity of immigrants is also rising. The findings of economists Gaetano Basso and Giovanni Peri suggest that immigrants are more mobile than locals in reaction to regional economic conditions, maybe because they have fewer enduring attachments to their families and communities (Abramitzky et al., 2019). This may contribute to the more effective operation of labor markets. Additionally, it has been demonstrated by economists Jennifer Hunt and Marjolaine Gauthier-Loiselle that immigrant’s foster innovation, which is essential for raising living standards. In particular, they discover that an increase of just 1% in the proportion of immigrant college graduates leads to an increase of 9–18% in patents per person. Only when free immigration enables everyone to enter this country can we draw from all the brightest minds in the world. The United States misses out on acquiring an advantage in economic expertise when immigration restrictions only allow a small number of immigrants from a small number of countries. In the United States, immigrant entrepreneurs play a significant role in driving innovation and firm formation. Immigrant self-employment has increased significantly over time, particularly for those with less education, and now outpaces native-born Americans. While immigration may boost overall economic development in the United States, it will likely result in reduced earnings for Americans working at the bottom of the labor market (Abramitzky et al., 2019). On average, immigration has had little impact on native- born Americans' incomes. The country's security is a top concern, but if there were an open immigration policy, it would be possible to fully assess all newcomers, making the border more secure. Illegal entry into the United States is impossible to prevent because the U.S. limits and inspects many other states as being unsafe or unwanted (Orrenius & Zavodny, 2019). In addition, there is no justification for separating illegal immigrants from their kids and deporting them back to their home countries. Any factor, including national security interests, economic considerations, or anything else, should not justify the purposeful inflicting of dread onto children. Internal security has come to be seen as a security concern challenged by immigration. Since the 1980s, there has been a perception that immigration poses a threat to national security. Huysmans emphasized how the Schengen Agreement and Dublin Convention linked immigration to terrorism, transnational crime, and border control. Immigration has occupied a major position on the counter-terrorism agenda since the September 11 terrorist attacks; governments have tightened immigration regulations, associating immigration with terrorist operations (Orrenius & Zavodny, 2019). Immigration was quickly elevated to a national security concern in the U.S. As soon as possible, President Bush announced a plan to combat terrorism through immigration law, and the United States Immigration and Naturalization Service was added to the newly created Department of Homeland Security; immigration became officially recognized as a threat to internal security. The USA PATRIOT Act was enacted six weeks after 9/11, tightening border restrictions, stepping up monitoring of foreign nationals living in the U.S., and enabling the government to imprison, try, and deport foreigners suspected of engaging in terrorist activity. The War on Terror's tools included immigration laws and border security. Many academics agree that immigration restrictions are necessary to safeguard the internal security of the receiving state. Some claim that because Canada has a high immigration rate relative to its population, it is impossible to adequately vet each immigrant, which leads to the entry of hazardous individuals (Orrenius & Zavodny, 2019). Therefore, lowering the annual immigration intake would be the most efficient strategy to keep out undesirable immigrants. While there is no doubt that terrorism poses a serious threat to the internal security of nations around the globe, its relationship to immigration needs to be taken into consideration. Right-wing political parties frequently gain from the crucial election issue of immigration. A prime illustration is the politics of today in Europe. This article examines how much U.S. voters care about immigration, which has occasionally been on the periphery and in the spotlight recently. It turns out that how much immigrants participate in politics significantly impacts how immigration affects politics (Alesina & Tabellini, 2022). The study makes one thing abundantly clear: Republicans are typically hostile to immigration reforms, particularly if they provide a route to citizenship for those who are currently unauthorized. Given their propensity to support progressive parties, naturalized immigrants are a liability for conservative leaders. Conclusion In conclusion, it has been successful in having an open immigration system. The United States does not have problems with immigration until the government intervenes and restricts, controls, and over-legislates the practice. It has been demonstrated that the United States has encountered issues that might lead to economic, security, and social difficulties whenever attempts to restrict immigration were made. We should be loving one another rather than stepping on one another for personal or political gain.

Paper For Above instruction

The topic of immigration in the United States has long been a subject of intense debate, encompassing economic, security, social, and ethical dimensions. Historically, the U.S. has been recognized as a “melting pot,” shaped significantly by waves of immigration since its founding, contributing richly to cultural diversity and economic growth. However, the landscape of immigration policy has oscillated between openness and restriction, driven by changing political and social climates. This paper aims to critically evaluate the notion that the U.S. immigration system should be highly restrictive, presenting evidence to support a more open policy stance based on economic benefits, social integration, and national security concerns.

Initially, it is vital to understand the historical context and influence of immigration on America's development. From the early colonial period, immigration laws were restrictive, favoring white Europeans and excluding non-white populations. The 19th and early 20th centuries saw rapid increases in immigration, which fueled economic expansion, urbanization, and population growth. The Johnson-Reed Immigration Act of 1924 exemplified restrictive policies, limiting immigration from Southern and Eastern Europe and sealing borders to non-white groups (Haas, 2015). These restrictions persisted until the mid-20th century when bipartisan reforms began to favor more inclusive policies. Studies show that immigration has consistently contributed positively to the U.S. economy, with immigrant labor filling critical gaps in agriculture, construction, and services, sectors that are often undervalued or unattractive to native-born workers (Camarota, 2018; Orrenius & Zavodny, 2019).

The economic argument for openness is robust. Immigrants typically bring entrepreneurial energy, innovation, and a flexible labor force. Economists such as Peri (2012) and Hunt & Gauthier-Loiselle (2010) have demonstrated that immigrant college graduates significantly increase patenting and innovation, fostering technological progress and economic resilience. Moreover, immigrant workers are vital to sectors like agriculture and construction, which are essential for the country's infrastructure and food security. The U.S. Department of Agriculture reported that undocumented immigrants constitute roughly 26% of the agricultural workforce (Martin, 2016). Removing such a large and crucial workforce would lead to drastic increases in food prices and slow economic growth, evidencing that restricting immigration can have deleterious economic consequences (Abramitzky et al., 2019).

Social integration models highlight that recent immigrants are assimilating rapidly and acquiring English at rates comparable or superior to earlier migration waves. Research by Portes and Rumbaut (2014) indicates that second-generation immigrants tend to outperform native-born peers in educational achievements and economic participation, challenging stereotypes of immigrant failure or marginality. Furthermore, immigrant entrepreneurship is on the rise, with many establishing successful businesses that create jobs and drive local economies (Fairlie, 2012). These patterns imply that openness to immigration not only benefits economic growth but also enriches the social fabric.

National security is often cited as a rationale for restrictive immigration policies, especially post-9/11. While some critics argue that high immigration rates hinder effective vetting, evidence suggests that most threats originate from a small subset of the immigrant population, and effective screening procedures can mitigate risks. According to Orrenius and Zavodny (2019), fears linking immigration with terrorism are exaggerated; in fact, increasing border security does not necessarily reduce overall threat levels. Conversely, overly restrictive policies may weaken national security by alienating immigrant communities and reducing their cooperation with authorities (Haas, 2015). Engaging immigrant communities constructively enhances internal security, enabling intelligence gathering and community policing efforts.

Furthermore, restricting immigration can exacerbate social divisions and foster xenophobia, undermining the country’s foundational values of inclusivity and diversity. Policies driven by fear often ignore the humanitarian imperatives and moral considerations that should underpin a nation's immigration stance. The recent rise of nationalist rhetoric in Europe underscores the perils of exclusionary policies—leading to social fragmentation and the erosion of democratic norms (Alesina & Tabellini, 2022). In contrast, fostering an inclusive immigration system promotes social cohesion and global competitiveness, crucial in an interconnected world.

In conclusion, the evidence overwhelmingly supports that a more open immigration policy strengthens the U.S. economy, enhances social cohesion, and can be effectively managed from a security standpoint. The historical and contemporary data indicate that restrictions have often impeded progress rather than protected it. The moral stance should favor compassion and inclusivity, ensuring that immigration policies are based on qualifications rather than ethnicity or religion. Moving forward, policymakers should focus on refining vetting processes, expanding pathways to legal immigration, and promoting integration programs that benefit both immigrants and native-born citizens. Such an approach aligns with American values and the country’s long-standing tradition of welcoming those seeking a better life.

References

• Abramitzky, R., Ager, P., Boustan, L. P., Cohen, E., & Hansen, C. W. (2019). The effects of immigration on the economy: Lessons from the 1920s border closure. National Bureau of Economic Research, No. w26536.
• Camarota, S. A. (2018). Immigration and the U.S. economy: An overview. Center for Immigration Studies.
• Fairlie, R. W. (2012). The contribution of immigrant entrepreneurs to U.S. economic growth. Small Business Economics, 39(4), 949–958.
• Haas, H. D. (2015). The age of migration: International population movements in the modern world. Guilford Publications.
• Hunt, J., & Gauthier-Loiselle, M. (2010). How much does immigration boost innovation? American Economic Journal: Macroeconomics, 2(2), 31-56.
• Martin, P. L. (2016). Immigrant labor in agriculture: Evidence from the National Census. Agricultural Economics, 47(1), 17–30.
• Orrenius, P., & Zavodny, M. (2019). Do immigrants threaten US public safety? Journal on Migration and Human Security, 7(3), 52–61.
• Peri, G. (2012). The effect of immigration on productivity and economic growth. Geneva: International Labour Office.
• Portes, A., & Rumbaut, R. (2014). Immigrant America: A portrait. University of California Press.
• Alesina, A., & Tabellini, M. (2022). The political effects of immigration: Culture or economics? (No. w30079). National Bureau of Economic Research.