In a government, "by the people and for the people" and “the land of the free” how do we define the people? For many years the democratic ideals behind the United States constitution have kept an optimistic window open to those seeking a freer or more fruitful life. But, with the current laws in place and the increasing numbers of undocumented immigrates there has been an ever-growing strain on the preservation of civil liberties and the question of U.S citizenship. Regardless of political standpoint, undocumented immigrants are prevalent in today’s society and large majorities are without access to health care, education for their children and welfare. Currently in the United States, laws and state legislation in regards to undocumented workers are challenged by the basic premise of American democracy and the United States constitution.
In the year 2010, there was an estimated 11.2 illegal immigrants living in the United States . Of those 11.2 million people, an estimated 7 million were employed illegally in the United States. Undocumented immigrants risk entering the United States for a various reasons; to escape economic or political turmoil, seek employment, for a brighter future for their children and some involuntarily enter the United Sates as victims of human trafficking. Both supporters and critics of amnesty for undocumented immigrates agree; that, as long as businesses in the United States continue to hirer undocumented workers for higher salaries than in their home country, people will continue to enter the United States illegally.
One incentive for immigrants and their families to enter the United States illegally is the 14th amendment that allows for any person born in the United States to be granted citizenship regardless of parental citizenship status. This amendment contradicts current efforts to prevent immigrants from entering the United States in the first place. This amendment is just one example of laws and state legislation regulating illegal immigration contradict American democracy.
Sources
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/11/01/AR2007110102668_2.html?
sid=ST2007110200129
http://library.cqpress.com/cqresearcher/document.php?id=cqresrre2008020100&type=hitlist&num=3
http://www.politicsdaily.com/2010/08/03/14th-amendment-debate-gop-leaders-want-citizenship-clause rev/
Leyla, you're right. The real question is defining who "the people" are and are not. I'm assuming that "the people" are American Citizens, and those who are not American Citizens, are not as greatly provided for. Which, if you think about it in a sense of rules, it makes sense not to provide for illegal immigrants. They have not followed the proper steps as citizens, so why should they receive full benefits? They're rule breakers.
ReplyDelete**** Disclaimer, I'm not heartless!!! I'm just playing the devil's advocate*****