One main issue in the United States that is always addressed is immigration, on how to deal with it and what are the steps in either giving amnesty or to deport the undocumented immigrants. As people living here in the states, there are always issues with “American residents” complaining about undocumented immigrants and that something should be done about the problem. There should be something done about it, but it should be for the best for everyone, so that means for Americans and for undocumented immigrants in the United states. We as humans need to be able to help each other out in this situation, because America was originally made from people coming from different parts of the world.
Many American residents would prefer that undocumented immigrants were to be deported back to their home country rather than staying here and “taking Americans jobs”. As much as people want this, they don't realize the affect that it would cause the United States, it would shake up the economy and by a great deal. After reading the article, “Immigration Enriches You and Me” by Nicholas Kristof Americans will be able to have an ideal on how undocumented immigrants are helping the economy by being here in the U.S. Many Americans argue that immigrants threaten our way of life, it is true that immigrants may have lower the wages but they have hugely enriched our country.
Undocumented immigrants have contributed greatly to our country, according to the article written , “they have contributed $100 billion to social security over a decade without any intention of collecting benefits, thus shoring up the system” (Kristof 2). This shows that by deporting undocumented immigrants it would greatly affect our social security budget by an enormous amount. This of course isn't the only area that would be affected as reported in 2010, at the state and local level, households headed by unauthorized immigrants paid another eleven billion in taxes alone. This a huge amount that is being contributed and this amount of money is helping the United States economy. Now if immigrants were to be given permits and brought in to the U.S system according to Kristof’s and his research, they will contribute forty-five billion over five years in payroll taxes to the United States economy, and this is reported by the Center for American Progress.
Undocumented immigrants are honest men and women that are helping the economy grow and to support one another. The action of deporting or detaining immigrants is costing the U.S a great amount of money that could be used for more useful plans. This is also causing families to break up and sending children to foster homes by deporting their parents or guardians.
There is another side to this issue, and it is the cost of helping and offering amnesty to undocumented immigrants. The article, “We Cannot Afford Amnesty for Illegal immigrants” by Ed Butowsky helped see what are the issues if the government helps and gives amnesty to all the undocumented immigrants. Recently reported, there are roughly about eleven to twelve million undocumented immigrants in the United States. This is the question that is being asked by the government, “with all our nation’s needs and wants, is granting amnesty to 5 million illegal immigrants and increasing our financial burden the best way to spend our money? Is it fiscally responsible?” ( Butowsky 1). Granting amnesty would cost the U.S an enormous amount of money that could certainly be used for something else, but maybe the government shouldn’t grant a huge amount at once instead they should split it up.
The United states currently has a national debt of eighteen trillion dollars, and our country does also spend as a whole about six hundred billion more than we earn through tax revenue. It is also reported by the Heritage Foundation, “ is that each illegal immigrant cost our country $24,000 a year. But ,on average, each pays $10,000 in taxes, so it’s reasonable to say that each immigrant really adds $14,000 a year to our country’s debt burden” (Butowsky 1). If the president grants amnesty our country would have to create 5.6 million new full-time jobs.
You make some good points on how immigrants have affected the United States. It's true that immigrants can be beneficial to the American economy. It's also great that you show the evidence of both sides to give the reader the ability to choose what side they want to be in. It's true that the United States shouldn't hand out documents to every immigrant. To give only a few at a time is a great idea. Try to expand paragraph four a bit more. It felt like there was more to be said about separating families, but it was never said.
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ReplyDeleteIncluding opposing sides and directly addressing them in the same paragraph was very effective and helped strengthen the argument. Writing about the downsides of this piece's argument is also useful as it shows that there is no bias. Like the first paragraph says, this nation was founded by people from different parts of the world. Because of this, why shouldn't we allow people from other parts to come to this country? That speaks to America's hypocrisy, which is very unfortunate.
DeleteThis argument made some really strong points on how immigrants have impacted the United States financially. In the paragraph where you state "Undocumented immigrants are honest men and women..." it would have made your argument stronger if you would have included how much money is being wasted on deporting illegal immigrants back to their country. Also, even though Butosky is a financial advisor, I would not have included him as a source because in his argument he did not take into consideration the other side's argument making his argument have bias in it.
ReplyDeleteThis argument had good points. It did not only state one side of the issue. In the first paragraph, it made it very persuadable because it mentions how there should be something done. Of course its been an issue for quite some time now. It was good to have pointed that out. Also the in the fourth paragraph, you're idea on how the government should split the cost is a great idea.
ReplyDeleteYour essay consists of well written ethical arguments that are supported by statistics. You show how undocumented workers are "honest men and women that are helping the economy grow and to support one another". This argument is supported thought the essay by showing the negative sides that an immigration reform will bring and then refuting that with statistical facts and reasoning information. Your last sentence shows what will happen if an amnesty is passed. Not just 5.6 million new certified jobs will be created but 11-12 million jobs. These new registered jobs will have to take out money for living in the U.S.
ReplyDeleteYour stand on immigration was clear. You had some points that were convincing. Also the quotes used were placed well. However, there was a lack of your own ideas. It felt as if you summed up the major points of each article. Also concluding your essay with, " If the president grants amnesty our country would have to create 5.6 million new full-time jobs" doesn't feel like a great way to end your claim. The conclusion could have been where you add some new insight on the benefits of granting amnesty.
ReplyDeleteThe stand you take on illegal immigration is clear. Finding a way to help resolve problems for the better of everyone in this country is a hard job. Though, it can be done. In your argument, you quoted both Kristof and Butowsky, and it was good it helped your ideal, but if you had included a bit more of your own thinking, it could have been better.
ReplyDeleteYou made came up with some interesting thoughts, like instead of spending money to deport immigrants they could spend it on something different with more value. There is some type of balance on both sides, but you should include more on why the U.S should not allow them to be amnestied. However, you are correct immigrants to benefit the U.S immensely, especially when they contribute to social security even though they will not receive any benefits in the end. Overall, good acknowledgement on why immigration should be amnestied.
ReplyDeleteYou're argument was clear and concise, and both sides of the issue were addressed. You made some strong points regarding the benefits granting amnesty would bring to the Nation, such as the large amount of taxes paid by undocumented immigrants. A weakness in your argument would be a lack of depth in your own thinking, for example when you mentioned families being broken up. Its an important issue, but how this affects the nation needs to be further explained.
ReplyDeleteA very good point is talked about here. Deportations of illegal immigrants cause more money because the children left behind are sent to foster homes on tax payer expenses. Also, deportations are paid by Americans who then argue that illegal immigrants are costly to the nation. An amnesty will not only help to boost the economy by the great input of money by the processes, but it will erase the spending amount of having to deport so many people.
ReplyDeleteYour argument was amazing; it was organized and structure correctly.Also you used examples and the main points were very clear to understand. Although undocumented immigrants have contributed American they still should not be able to force their way into our country without working hard or earning it. Of course, we are breaking up families and Americans should take that in to consideration but that's does not give them a right to sneak into our country.
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