Illegal immigration has become one of our nation’s biggest and most controversial issues today. Obama’s immigration reform has been almost the same since 2007 comprised of three main parts, “enforcement, legal immigration, and the status of illegal immigration.” Illegal immigrants come to the U.S. simply for freedom and opportunities. Not all countries are fair like the U.S. as many countries keep their citizens poor in order to control them. They have also realized that “all persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the State wherein they reside”(Amendment 14, Section 1).
Several years ago, there were three groups that became seriously involved in the debate on immigration: the people who became angry at the fact that the U.S. had not come in control of their borders, business groups that were bitter at lacking immigration system that did not satisfy labor markets, as well as humanitarian groups who fought on the side of illegal workers affording them a legal status and a way to citizenship.
I find it humorous how each group chooses to pursue their own agenda. What they don’t get is the more these groups take sides, the further and further they get to coming up with a balanced reform that satisfies all three parties. A balanced reform will come through working together and trying to appeal to as many people’s needs and wants as they can. No one group will get everything they ask for and they need to realize that what’s done is done. What we now need to focus on is the future and do whatever we can to help it. America is an awfully large country where there are approximately 256 policemen for every 100,000 people, finding and hunting down an illegal would simply take too much time, and frankly, it’s not worth it. That is why enforcement and security are two of my biggest concerns, because like I said earlier, what’s done is done, and we need to focus on bumping up security and start bringing down the hammer on what is to come. If that means doubling or even tripling the number of border patrol officers on duty, then thats what we will have to do. Oh, you think it’s unnecessary government spending to pay all these extra border patrolmen? The federal government alone made at least $72 billion in improper payments in 2008. At least a fourth of that could have gone to the $9.8 billion that was allotted in 2008. According to the article, “substantial security investments since 2006 have led to a steady decline in illegal border crossings.”
Honestly, I think its ridiculous how we can get to the moon, but can’t keep mexicans and other foreigners from invading our lands. Like the author stated, I believe the key to a successful immigration plan is for the President to be 100% committed. Without a committed President, there is no committed plan, and with no committed plan, more and more immigrants choose to flock to the United States to take our jobs and money. Commitment is a huge part in the process of a successful immigration agenda and in the end will be the deciding factor whether the plan strives or fails. George W. Bush is a prime example of a President that was committed to his immigration plan, sticking with it until the end of his eighth term. In 2006, Bush gave the first ever primetime presidential address on immigration and then proposed a five-part plan to reform the immigration system. A plan that is much clearer and much more agreeable than Obama’s.
The article talks about Obama saying “has more time and a greater ability to get things done. But, as he appeared to recognize in the State of the Union, this will require him to promote the core objectives of each major interest group, going beyond campaign-style events aimed at his base.” Like I said earlier, in order to reach a final agreement, Obama must appeal to every group. I’m not saying that he must incorporate every part of every group’s plan in his reform, but to incorporate pieces of each to where the three groups can agree and create that balanced reform that our country and its government has strived to reach.
This particular topic relates back to our class of Government in the way that Obama plays as Chief of State. The role of the Chief of State is significant in the fact that Obama is considered the representative for the people, in which he leads the country in the way the people want it to go. He also acts as the leader of our country and makes the decisions necessary for our nation to strive. For that, he is making a balanced reform that satisfies all groups of people. It’s simple. Commitment, security, and enforcement are, in my opinion, the three keys to a successful immigration reform.
nt Reflection I’m going to write about my policy brief and tie that back to a current event going on today that is dealing with illegal immigration and how it is vitally important for our citizens to vote on changes that need to be made in our Government to cut the high percentage of illegal immigrants in America. We in America have a huge problem with our immigration issue and Government lets it fall bye the way side and don’t step up and do what is necessary to make a stop to this. I find it very difficult to understand how we have so many illegal immigrants coming into the states getting a lot of perks including health care, jobs, etc. and the U.S. Government refusing to stand up and do anything about it; if a American citizen was to go into a foreign country he/ she would be killed or held up in jail. I’m not saying that America has to go that extreme but at least use some different laws and methods to help solve this problem. Especially in the South they need help in states like Texas for example were the immigration rate is 31.5% which is ridiculous. The government should start a non-profit organization were people can freely donate to have a larger electric fence built on the borders to keep them out. Another example of a program the Government should put into place would be a program called
21st Century Citizenship 
