Now that the Health Care has been passed, many lawmakers have been bidding in for immigration reform to be the next issue to be addressed. The main idea behind this reform is to legalize all the undocumented residents in the United States.
This reform has been on hold for quite some time due to the Republicans who have been opposing it. As per the President of the Federation for American Immigration Reform, Dan Stein, they do not require an education regarding the subject. He strongly believes in restricting any form of aid for such undocumented migrants. This is because more such illegal immigrants would be motivated to come into the country. Also, it would be a bad example for those who decided to get back to their native country.
However, there are legal migrants in the country who have relatives living with them who are not legal migrants. Such people are expecting the government to bring about amends which could help them.
Research studies illustrate that there has been slight decrease in the number of illegal immigrants coming from Mexico. As per analysts, this has been due to the global recession with stringent measures been implemented at the borders. With this, stringent measures were taken keeping a check in workplaces with the help of police raids.
On the other hand, many immigration reform advocates feel that legalizing these migrants would aid to the US economy. As of now, there are around eleven to twelve million undocumented residents in the United States. Legalizing them would mean an increase in growth by $1.5 trillion in the economy of the United States. This is definitely something to consider.
There is a negative aspect involved which is the increased competition on the job front. This would mean people who have broken the law would be competing for the same position as an innocent local citizen. This would not be fair on part of the local Americans who have studied and worked hard to come up instead of taking short-cuts.
An initiative was taken almost three years back which had failed inspite many protest rallies being conducted throughout the country by the various immigrant rights groups. However, in the previous month, two senators came up with a plan which included all the illegal immigrants to indulge in community services and pay back the relevant taxes. This had to be done for them to be legal residents of the United States.
Above all, there are political analysts who still find it doubtful for the bill on immigration reform to be passed this year. This is mainly because of the congressional elections which are to be held in November. However, protestors pressing the issue have not yet given up and would continue with their initiative knocking the doors of the White House as well as the Congress. Thus, it is yet to be seen as to what Obama Administration does on the same.
