Summary: Immigration has been an issue for many years in the US government and continues to be moving forward. Many issues have moved up from state and local levels into the executive and legislative branches of government in hopes of finding a solution to the overwhelming numbers of immigrants, (mostly immigrating illegally from Latin American countries).
Although immigration is controlled at the federal level, states and cities vary widely on their stance on immigration reform. States such as California have a very liberal stance and allow undocumented immigrants to apply for a drivers license and are allowed to pay in-state tuition to universities. However many states are not as liberal as California. In Arizona, immigrants are required to carry around their ID's and any person 'suspected' of being an illegal immigrant can be interrogated on the spot.
The Obama administration has attempted to level-out the un-equal immigration reforms from each state by protecting removal for almost half of the 11.5 million un-authorized immigrants living in the US today. This protection however doesn't guarantee their stay in the US, nor does it solve the problems the other half of the un-documented immigrants face as they try to live under the radar for fear of being deported. The Obama Administration has also deported more than 2 million illegal immigrants which is more than the Bush Administration in 2004. Despite these actions however, Obama has tried to improve the lives of illegal immigrants by passing bills such as the DACA or the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals Child which gives immigrants a renewable two-year deportation referral. They also passed the DAPA or Deferred Action for Parents of Americans which defers illegal immigrant's deportation and allows them to work legally for three years.
Questions: Do you agree with what the Obama Administration has done with Immigration Policy? If so, why? Do you think the US should increase boarder control and deport more citizens, or do you think it is our responsibility to save them them from their drug infested and war-torn countries?
A few minor updates based on court decisions. The Arizona law was limited by the SCOTUS. People can only be asked for documents if they are stopped for a legitimate reason, not just to check immigration status. Also, DAPA is still in the New Orleans Appeals Court. It's not expected to be approved. Last, Obama emphasized health care reform over immigration reform, then didn't have the political capital to get immigration reform done.
ReplyDeleteI think that the action which the Obama Administration has taken with DACA and DAPA have been well meant and along the right path. It is important to make sure though that people are not just having children in the states so that they can live here. Having a child is a enormous decision, and it has to be made for the right reasons. If you want to have a child and you want it to be raised in the United States, then by all means. However if you only want to live here and you don't actually want to live here then you will only be hurting yourself, your child, and your new country.
ReplyDeleteI think that the action which the Obama Administration has taken with DACA and DAPA have been well meant and along the right path. It is important to make sure though that people are not just having children in the states so that they can live here. Having a child is a enormous decision, and it has to be made for the right reasons. If you want to have a child and you want it to be raised in the United States, then by all means. However if you only want to live here and you don't actually want to live here then you will only be hurting yourself, your child, and your new country.
ReplyDeleteI think that the deportation of over 2 million immigrants is unnecessary, but the Obama Administration passing bills like DACA and DAPA are a good step toward reform. I don;t think that the US should continue deporting immigrants without considering their situation. I think it is important for us to realize that these immigrants obviously came here for a reason, and we should consider giving them the opportunity, and enough time, to become legal. I agree with Reuben as well, they shouldn't have a child just to stay in the country, having a child is a huge decision.
ReplyDeleteI believe that the Obama administration should be applaud for supporting America's stance on liberty being a nation founded on immigrants in the first place. Like Reuben, I believe our government is making steps in the right direction because I don't believe families should have to be separated or that anyone should be barred from living where they want. However, I do believe that the government needs to take a firmer stance. If we are going to protect these immigrants, then their stay here should be ensured and fair. Immigrants already make a large part of our workforce and deporting them would only create a missing segment in one of the foundations of our economy. Everyone should be given the right to a job despite where they come from, so they aren't really taking away jobs if the government protects their rights. They will require the same min wage as every other citizen.
ReplyDeleteI believe that the Obama administration is a step in the right direction, however. there are still many more steps to take in terms of immigration reform. Obama passing bills such as the DACA and DAPA are improvements but there are a lot of faults that are still happening today in regards to this topic. I believe being a country built on immigrants that we should be more lenient and welcoming than we are. If Americans opened their mindsets and perspectives they would realize that the majority of the immigrants are doing no harm, in fact, they are helping our economy by joining the workforce. We are all humans and should be treated no differently just because of the land we are standing on.
ReplyDeleteWhat Obama has done so far has been amazing, considering how gridlocked Congress has been in recent years. In 2012, Republicans backed away from a Comprehensive Immigration reform proposal, so Obama taking the initiative and passing Executive Orders was the next best thing. However, this has incensed many Republicans, making legislation in the foreseeable future very doubtful. While these Executive Orders have been important stop-gap measures, what this country's broken immigration system needs the most is the most difficult thing to attain; Comprehensive Immigration Legislation. Only under a future administration, most likely Democratic, including a democrat-controlled congress will this ever come to pass.
ReplyDeleteThe Obama Administration passing the bills DACA and DAPA are on the right path to reform, however there is still much more that needs to be done. I do believe that the stance on immigrants coming to the US just to have a child so they can stay should be firmer. Yet, because there is such an influx of immigrants especially from Latin American countries, we should be looking to those underlying problems and trying to solve them. We can't forget though that our country was built on immigration and because of that, the people as well as the government should be somewhat more accepting while also realizing immigrants have helped our economy and worked jobs most wouldn't want to.
ReplyDeleteI think the Obama administration is doing the right thing by passing the bills, as America is supposed to be the land of opportunity, and raising children here is probably the best option. I think that while it is not necessarily our responsibility to take in people from impoverished countries, I believe it is our moral duty to. Most of the time, we do not realize how lucky we are to be living in America, but people from other countries do. We definitely need to be more accepting of new immigrants and help them assimilate instead of trying to push them away.
ReplyDeleteI believe that Obama is trying his best to reform immigration and he is doing as much as he can. The only thing I disagree with is the deportation of 2 million people, that's a little extreme in my opinion. The DAPA is trying to help immigrants and it gives them the opportunity to work and try and make a life for themselves in America. I don't think that we need to increase border control and deport immigrants unless they are convicted of a crime, in which I feel deportation would be the best option. I think that they are coming to America for a better life just like many of our parents and grandparents, and we have an obligation to help them if they are in trouble in their country.
ReplyDeleteIn my opinion, I see Obama is taking the right step in reforming immigration and its laws with DAPA and DACA. Deporting illegal immigrants, simply because they're illegal, not because they committed a crime or did any harm, is something that is not worth our efforts. However, like Reuben said, I don't believe it is fair for an immigrant to have a child simply because they want to stay here. Having a child is an important responsibility which DAPA and DACA recognize allowing families to be together, but it should not be abused or used as means to get some sort of passage into the country. As for the workforce, I believe American citizens deserve priority in job positions and if they decide to be unemployed, then by all means the immigrants can take that spot. It is rather unfair if a citizen loses their job and can't find a new one while illegal immigrants are occupying that position instead.
ReplyDeleteI think that the Obama Administration has taken a good approach to illegal immigration. Immigration is a touchy subject, as the cartoon indicates. The truth is we (or our ancestors) are all immigrants to the US. What gives one person the right to enter a certain territory while another person cannot. I also appreciate the actions Obama has taken to insure education to the children of illegal immigrants.
ReplyDeleteImmigration is a place where Obama has been successful. I feel that no one should or shouldn't be allowed to be certain places. America is a free country and we listen to the voice of the people, by telling people who were born in a different place that they cant stay in America is unfair and not a good thing America should pursue. Between 2000 and 2012 there was a 31.2 percent increase in the foreign-born population. Its good to be diverse and not all the same, to see these numbers increase is joy in my eyes but frustration in the eyes of the govt.
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