Link to article:
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/01/30/us/politics/obama-issues-call-for-immigration-overhaul.html?_r=0
For many years has been a very controversial topic in America. Congress cannot agree whether to leave the immigration policy the way it is, or to change it by setting a limit to how many people can enter America, and coming up with a decision on what to do with people who are here illegally. President Obama decided to call on congress to take action, and come up with a plan that will solve this problem. He knows that immigration is a very emotional topic, but he feels he is making the right choice by calling on congress to change it. He approached congress and told them he wanted a bill that would allow current illegal immigrants to receive their citizenship if they can show they can be outstanding citizens by paying taxes, and not breaking the law.
President Obama wants to take immediate action towards ending illegal immigration. He wants all illegal immigrants currently in America to step forward, complete their obligations (paying taxes), and become legal citizens. Do you believe this is a good first step? Why? If not than what do you believe would be a good first step?
The current immigration policy in the United States is allowing an innumerable amount of immigrants into the country. Like President Obama, I beleive that this should be changed, and a limit should be put on this issue because it is hurting our country. There are people taking up the American resources, and not giving anything back. But, I do think that having illegal immigrants step up and take responsibility is a good first step, in part. It is important for the immigrants to show that they are invested into and want to be part of the United States. But, what about those who do not have enough money to pay taxes? How do we know that they do not have just as much, or even more reason for wanting to become an American citizen? I know though, that no matter what is done, it will never make veryone happy. There will always be exceptions and loopholes.
ReplyDeleteImmigration is a serious topic in America, and although what Obama is suggesting seems to be a small baby step to fixing the process of it all, I believe that there are better things that can be done in order to secure the illegal immigrant issue. For one, I think that what President Obama suggests is very weak. It does not seem as though he is asking much from illegal immigrants but coming out and paying their dues is probably not as easy as it is played out to be. I'm sure that a majority of illegal immigrants will not be willing to step out and pay taxes, just like that. I also think that politicians should be more focused on areas such as border security, to prevent illegal immigrants to come to America in the first place and lower the number of illegal immigrants. After issues like these are better resolved, then I think what Obama is suggesting now should be looked into more closely.
ReplyDeleteI believe President Obama's decision on giving illegal immigrants an opportunity to become legal by paying taxes and being a "good citizen" is one of the best things that he could have done. A great percentage of the U.S. today is made up of illegal immigrants, and I know for a fact that those who are illegal certainly do not want to be for they run the risk of being deported at any given moment, they are not allowed any things such as health insurance and can not even own a drivers license. This is because to the country they do not exist. So if the country began to recognize those people as citizens and make them pay taxes, things would work out a lot better. Because the U.S. is not taking advantage or disadvantage of illegal immigrants as of now because some illegal immigrants do not contribute to the country basically at all and if they do not receive benefits from the country they are not taking advantage of the country either. Therefore starting out by having illegal immigrants pay their taxes is a very encouraging thing for them especially because now they finally have a chance to become legal in the country that they want to be. This although leaves the question; by allowing illegal immigrants to become legalized in the U.S. influence more illegal immigrants to come into the country?
ReplyDeleteI absolutely believe that illegal immigrants should step forward and become legal citizens. I think that it is a fair way to allow these people to stay in this country but not take advantage of what it has to offer. But I also think that there should be a limit on how many immigrants are allowed in this country per year. Allowing unlimited amounts of immigrants makes for more illegals and thus more problems. However, the current citizenship process is terrible in my opinion. I can understand why illegal immigrants don't want to become citizens because the process is very long and complex. The citizenship process should be changed to allow immigrants to become citizens with more ease. Then I think more illegals will step forward to pay their dues and become US citizens.
ReplyDeleteI feel like in a perfect world, that this idea would be great. Unfortunately, in this world where illegal immigrants can get by without completing these obligations, why would they throw themselves out and pay these taxes. I feel that this would be a great first step but President Obama is not putting himself in the mind set of these illegal immigrants. However, I feel that we are too far gone as a society to do anything about it as we have allowed this act to happen for far too long. This idea would have been good to implement years ago. In today's world we have made it too easy to live here illegally, even easier than being here legally.
ReplyDeleteI agree on the steps President Obama wants to take to end illegal immigration. Although I don't agree that illegal immigration is something that should be accepted, I think by allowing them to become legal citizens is a step in the right direction towards ending illegal immigration. I don't fully agree with the fact that illegal immigrants can become legal so easily, especially since people here legally have to wait and take time to be here legally. Since there ate numerous illegal immigrants I think that by being allowed to stay, becoming a "good citizen" and paying taxes is something that they should have to do, which is very lenient in my eyes. For coming illegally but being allowed to stay, having to pay taxes and prove you are a good cost seems like a low price to follow the American Dream.
ReplyDeleteI agree with zach. I get the feeling that it is too late to put these implications into place. I can't think of any reason why any illegal immigrant would choose to gain citizenship by starting to pay taxes, they haven't had to in the past. Why should they now? It is by far an easier choice to stay here illegally.
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