Immigration Issue in Texas Usa

In Texas' society today Immigration is a big issue. It is not only a subject that is used when campaigning and running for office but it is something that Texans live with on a day to day basis. We deal with many different matters involving immigration. However one main type of immigration that is predominant in Texas, more so than most states, is illegal immigration across the border. Texas ranks second among the illegal alien populations throughout the United States. This issue has been enough to catch the attention of the United States President Barack Obama. He is trying to implement a plan including improving the border security, ensuring employers are held accountable if they try to hire undocumented workers or break other laws, and assigning a series of responsibilities on the millions of people living the United States illegally. Some of the penalties include requiring them to pay a penalty and back taxes, learn English and get in line toward becoming a legal resident and citizen of the country.

The immigrants would argue that they often are escaping poverty, hunger, civil war and persecution which were a trend that the North American Free Trade Agreement jump started. It is estimated by INS (Immigration and Naturalization Service) that at least 5 million immigrants in the United States are illegal immigrants from Mexico of which are not documented. About 1.5 million of those illegal immigrants are residing in Texas currently. They also argue that they are often times discriminated against because they are illegal immigrants. Discrimination is not something that is pinpointed to illegal immigrants; it is something that the United States, especially southern states such as Texas, have been battling with for decades. However in that defense we have had to try and overcome discrimination, deeming that it is wrong by society's standards, so why would it be socially acceptable to discriminate towards illegal immigrants. The illegal immigrants also argue that they contribute a lot of the lower end workforce which means they are not taking away the jobs that people would want to work at. Of course there are special circumstances. The fact remains that immigrants do contribute to our economy and revitalize our communities. They actually benefit some entrepreneurs and small business owners who are brave enough to employ illegal immigrants because they will be able to employ their business with minimal cost for wages. The wave of illegal immigration to come here and work is due to the desperation to leave Mexico where they can come to the border states, such as Texas, to work because even with low wages there is more opportunity. The fact of the matter is we hire illegal immigrants to do most of the dirty work that nobody truly wants to do. However in the same light I can see how in these economically hard times, when people are taking jobs that they are highly overqualified for, I can see where resentment may occur. Everyone is downsizing, and even in Texas where we have one of the higher rated economies in the United States right now, it is still hard to get a job that you will not be overqualified for. So, illegal immigrants get to keep the jobs that Texans now need because they do not require as much pay or benefits. The rate of illegal immigrants rises daily.

Putting ten thousand troops on the border takes a lot of money from our government and therefore it takes money from the State of Texas. I read both sides of why this is either necessary or why it is insane. Some believe that is should be required for us to have that much money and manpower devoted to the Mexican border because it refrain's illegal immigrants from coming in, and if they try, they will at least be scared of getting caught. From the opposing perspective they think that soldiers along the border is a part of the problem because they were not trained for immigration or interacting with civilians but they were trained for battle and combat as well as search and destroy. The opposing side thinks it is highly dangerous and it gives more room for tragedy. I can see the point of view, but clearly