This video (embedding was disabled) from CNN provides a lot of interesting information about illegal immigration. For instance, I did not know that 7% of public school children have an undocumented parent, or that 6% of illegal immigrants use a hospital in the case of an emergency. Equally interesting, I didn't know that only 12% of construction workers are illegal immigrants. This number is much different from the number proclaimed in social media.
The MOST interesting fact taken from the video will blow your mind. It is that ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION IS NOT A CRIME!! I repeat, ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION IS NOT A CRIME!! According to the video, it actually is a civil offense. This means that entering the country illegally is supposed to be viewed similar to a misdemeanor (jaywalking, traffic violations, etc, etc). This fact is not presented enough in the media. Too often, I've heard illegal immigrants described as criminals and crooks. While they still are not completely innocent, it is funny to know that their "crime" is the same as mine when I jaywalk across the street everyday to class!
However, illegal immigration NOT being a crime doesn't excuse the fact that it still needs regulation. The video simply shows that maybe the conditions are not as bad as some people would want you to believe. In the coming years, it will be interesting to see whether these numbers fluctuate or decrease. Also, I wonder why so many people are flooding to the country NOW. Since Mexico and the US have been neighbors for as long as we've known, what has sparked such a increase in people emigrating? Maybe the answer to that question will lead to a solution to the illegal immigration crisis.
I find your post to be very interesting. I had no idea that illegal immigration is simply a civil offense. To compare illegal immigration to such acts as jaywalking seems absurd. How can the nation classify taking benefits and jobs away from citizens on the same level as traffic violations. This should in fact be a crime as many people are loosing opportunities due to those who have taken advantage of the American system and government. How can the law allow such atrocity. No wonder this country faces a crisis that affects practically every citizen. Harsher punishment or better regulation is in need if this problem is to be remedied. This is where the law must take action and regulations must be passed. In response to the statistic of the percentage of construction workers, I feel that this is quite alarming. To think that this is 12 % of construction jobs that could be given to Americans who are unemployed. There is certainly a connection between illegal immigration and unemployment rates that should be examined.
ReplyDelete@ ms.ed, I too was shocked that illegally entering the country is a civil offense. I do not know why it is classified as such, but maybe it is something that should be debated and changed in the future. I do feel like government regulation is need, but how harsh should the penalties be? And your connection between illegal immigration and unemployment is interesting. I'd never considered it before.
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