Ever since our nation's conception, it has been immigration that has been the basis for the diversity of our culture. Many different nations have immigrated to the U.S. at different periods of time, like the Irish after the potato famine, German's after WWII, and now more recently, Mexican immigrants following hard economic times in their native Mexico. For the first time in U.S. history, illegal immigrants have outnumbered legal immigrants (NY Times). As of 2008, there were an estimated 11.9 million illegal Mexican immigrants living in the U.S. (NY Times). It is at this point the nation looks at its options: amnesty, a path to citizenship, arrest and deportation, or some other unmentioned idea? Where do we as a nation decide to draw the line?
In 2004 President Bush suggested a sweeping immigration reform, only rivaled by the 1986 act to permit amnesty for over 3 million illegal immigrants in the U.S.. However, this issue was not pushed by Bush and didn't amount to much of anything in the House. Rather than allow an easier path for amnesty as was intended by the Executive office, the trend in the nation was to impose stricter penalties and harsher legislation on exactly what would happen to illegal immigrants in our country. In 2005, the House passed a bill that would increase boarder security and make it a felony to live in the U.S. as an illegal. Conversely, in 2006, a bill was introduced (unsuccessfully) to make it easier to become a citizen if you were an illegal immigrant. Over the next two years, both state and national legislature passed over 206 bills that were intended to limit the rights of illegal immigrants in this country, ranging from driver's license obtainment to receiving public benefits.
Since 2008's crackdown on illegal immigration, the topic of immigration has been somewhat subdued due to issues like the economy, housing market, the War in Iraq, and other social issues. But as of this last week's unprecedented passing of a law in Arizona, immigration is back at the forefront of the public eye. Despite President Obama's disdain for the proposed legislation, Arizona's Gov. Jan Brewer signed into law a piece of legislation aimed at giving more teeth to the state's law enforcement with regards to the penalties enforced on illegal immigrants (Chicago Tribune). Police are now allowed to question whether an individual is legally in the state and it is now considered a crime if you are. It also makes it a criminal offense to not be able to produce papers showing your legality of being in the U.S. and carries a punishment ranging from jail-time to being confined for six-months and paying $2,500 in fines. (FOXnews.com). Opponents of the law state that it legalizes profiling and discrimination against Latinos. Proponents of the bill however, state that it was necessary legislation in lieu of the lack of concern and action taken by the federal government. NAACP members, clergymen, and other immigrant's rights groups are now looking into legal action on the state of Arizona, while protestors march on the capitol, vying for illegal immigrants rights.
Whatever the case, it is no doubt the beginning of a real debate on what the nation really needs to do with the border, and exactly what we are to do with the nearly 12 million illegal immigrants here in our country.
Citations:
· "Arizona immigration law reshaping the push for reform." Chicago Tribune 27 April 2010: Peter Nicholas. pag. Web. 27 Apr 2010.
· "Holder: U.S. May Challenge Arizona Immigration Law." FOX News 27 April 2010: n. pag. Web. 27 Apr 2010.
· "Immigration and Emigration." New York Times 26 April 2010: n. pag. Web. 27 Apr 2010.
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