INTRODUCTION Illegal Aliens Taking U.S.

Jobs (2013) Illegal aliens come to the United States to take jobs that offer them greater opportunity, and they are often welcomed by U.S. employers who are able to hire them for wages lower than they would have to pay to hire U.S. workers. This employment is illegal under a law enacted in 1986, but some employers ignore the law and hire illegal workers in the underground economy. Others simply accept fake employment documents and hire the illegal workers as if they were legal. Because there is no requirement to verify documents presented by workers, employers can easily evade compliance. The illegal alien workers are mostly persons who sneaked into the country nearly all Mexicans or Central Americans who enter from Mexico. There is also, however, illegal entry across the border with Canada, with apprehensions by the Border Patrol of more than 6,000 aliens in 2010. There is also a significant portion of the illegal alien population that arrives with visas and stays illegally. These overstayers' are estimated variously to between one- third and 40 percent of the illegal alien population.

U.S. immigration policy has been a touchstone for political debate for decades, as policymakers weigh the need to maintain global competitiveness by attracting top foreign talent against the need to curb illegal immigration and secure U.S. borders. Most recently, the debate has focused on how to streamline a heavily bureaucratic visa application process and address the millions of undocumented immigrants already in the United Statesparticularly young people brought here by their parentsas well as implementing policy at the local level without jeopardizing public trust within immigrant communities. Federal legislation on comprehensive reform has stalled in recent years, and the Obama administration leaned toward enforcement-based policies for curbing illegal immigration during his first term. Meanwhile, restrictive state-level immigration laws--including Arizona's controversial SB 1070--have highlighted the blurry divide between state and federal authority over immigration policy. However, following President Obama's reelection in 2012, the

administration and Congressional lawmakers have signaled a new willingness to make a bipartisan effort to tackle comprehensive immigration reform. PROS 1. Some of the most intelligent and ambitious individuals, who are unsatisfied with their own countries, bring their skills to America. 2. It increases the diversity and expands the culture of the country. 3. Immigrants often taken the low-paying jobs (like food service & hotel cleaning) that most Americans don't want to do at such low wages. 4. Decreasing or eliminating legal immigration will inevitably create more incentive to come to the country illegally, which leads to less assimilation and fewer taxpaying, law-abiding citizens. 5. It improves the overall image of America internationally, as it is seen as an open, welcoming country; and immigrants who return home or maintain contact with family back home have a true image of America, not the one propagandized in much of the international media. 6. Adding an additional group of cheap labor adds to the flexibility of business, leading to cheaper prices, better quality products, and higher profits. 7. It gives struggling people all over the world an opportunity for a better life. This country was built on immigrants who sought opportunity, political & religious freedom, etc. CONS 1. More immigrants means more opportunity for terrorists, drug dealers, and other criminals to enter the country. 2. Immigrants, especially the poorer ones, consume a high amount of government resources (health care, education, welfare, etc.) without paying a corresponding high rate of taxes. 3. The national identity and language is disappearing. The great "melting pot" is being replaced by divisive multiculturism. 4. The emigration to the United States hurts the home country, as much of the male population, workers, and top intellectuals often leave their country. 5. Less-skilled American citizens earn less money and have fewer job opportunities because they must compete with immigrants in the job market.

SUGGESTIONS Illegal immigrants should have the opportunity to become legal citizens for practical reasons. There are plenty of ways in which an immigrant may become legal in the United States. If he/she takes it upon him/herself to go to the authorities with that request, it is the American way to allow them to undergo the process. If the immigrant has been in the country for several years and has no record of illegal activity (besides being in the country illegally), it simply makes sense to allow them to become legal citizens. Temporary Worker Visas: Give everyone who wants to come to the US for the low wage jobs that Americans dont want to do a Temporary Worker Visa, allowing a legal stay of 6 months, after which time they have to return home for a period of at least 3 months. They can apply for an extension if they are actually hired and if the business applies with them for the extension. All illegal residents currently in the US could immediately apply for and receive a 6 month worker visa, but failure to do so would result in the strictest of penalties if caught. While in the US, workers would be required to pay a portion of their income on catastrophic healthcare insurance. Violations of the 6 month stay would be met with severe penalties, including the revocation of any future visas or citizenship. If the person does not return to their home country within 1 week after their visa expiration, if they do not or did not pay taxes and SS on their incomes, or if they fail to register for a visa and are here illegally, they would not be eligible for new visas or citizenship.