States under this proposal, they are better documented and the government will have a much more accurate account of the illegal immigrant population. According to The White House online in refrence, “fair and secure Immigration Reform”,
“Participants would be issued a temporary worker card that will allow them to travel back and forth between their home land and the U.S. without fear of being denied re-entry into America.”
Therefore, the program benefits the immigrant and the United states government. The immigrants can feel fewer restrictions while the government can accurately track who is coming in and out of the country, making United States boarders more regulated and safe.
Another common misconception about illegal immigrant employees is that if they are hired by United States employers, there will be fewer jobs available for American Citizens. In fact, according to Challenge Magazine of Economic Affairs, 60 percent of Americans are concerned with illegal immigration because of this single reason.(Apr. 2005, pg 125) However, in President Bush’s proposal it is required that the American employer make a legitimate, documented effort to fill the position with an American worker. Once the job can not be filled by an American citizen, the job is then open to the immigrant worker. Therefore, many of these jobs simply would not be filled without the illegal immigrant workers. In The Washington Post, President George W. Bush stated, “There are some people -- there are some jobs in America that Americans won't do and others are willing to do." (Section: A06 January, 2005) The immigrants are actually
helping the American economic system as apposed to the common belief that they can harm it. Under Bush’s new proposal, the country can have the ability to run smoother. For example, many of these jobs are in agriculture or in large factories. Many Americans do not want to fill these positions, so it is both profitable and fair to let illegal immigrant workers fill the positions. () Therefore, current American citizens should not feel threatened by illegal immigrant workers and their place in the economic system.
Another major benefit of President Bush’s immigrant work proposal is its profitability to the United States and to the American Taxpayers. For example, currently Texas is spending 4.65 million dollars on illegal immigration covering the cost of their schooling, medical care, and prisons. (High Cost of Illegal Immigration, Human Events 2004, Vol. 60 Issue 29, p22). This is all paid for by the taxpayers. So, if the illegal immigrants in the United States were granted the right to work in the U.S., the government would not spend as many American dollars on illegal immigrants. Instead, the illegal immigrants would also pay legal taxes to contribute to their expenses. Also, according to Thomas Elias, author of the article “Immigration Opponents Ignore The Economic Contributions Of Illegal Immigrants”, illegal immigrants are actually profitable. He states that their average net profit is $7,890 per immigrant in over 40 years of employment. Illegal immigration is a problem that exists presently in the United States and George W. Bush’s proposal makes the current crisis profitable to the American economy.
He stated, “Illegal entry across our borders makes more difficult the urgent
task of securing the homeland. The system is not working. Our nation needs an immigration system that serves the American economy, and reflects the American Dream.”
The proposal as a whole becomes beneficial because it is making a widespread problem advantageous to America. Allowing illegal aliens to work would not only be profitable through taxation, it would be beneficial in the medical and business fields. For instance, there is currently a shortage of nurses and a need for factory workers for large business corporations. (USA Today, 2005) These are positions would qualify as jobs that employers have made a legitimate attempt to find legal U.S. resident workers for. American workers have failed to fill these jobs and there is still a need and high demand for them. Under the new proposal, illegal immigrants could then legally be permitted to take on these jobs. Thusly, business’ would then be enabled to do more work, and make more money and hospitals would be equipped with the help that they need to service Americans in need. This would also specifically help in the healthcare of retired Americans and those residing in retirement centers. Nurses are not exclusively needed in hospitals to service the general public. There are also many positions available attending to the caretaking needs of the elderly either in their homes or in nursing homes. Illegal Immigrants working in the United States with a permit benefits all Americans and the general improvement of the American economy.
The new proposal would also give immigrant workers motivation and means to return to their homelands after their designated work period is over. They are allotted the luxury of going back and forth between the U.S and their homeland if they choose to. This is beneficial to the worker because they can go to their native country where they most likely have family. After the work period has ended, immigrants then have the option of staying in their homeland or being reviewed and given a renewed license for work in the United States. However, there are many incentives for the illegal immigrant returning permanently to their native country. They may receive financial compensation and get credit in their country’s retirement plan for the time they worked in the United States. (George W. Bush, www.whitehouse.gov.) Some Americans worry that the new proposal would bring too many immigrants into the United States permanently and will eventually lead to overpopulation. However, there are many benefits that immigrants can take advantage of if they decided to only stay in America temporarily. Also, in previous cases, legal immigrants have wanted to return to their native countries. For example, workers from Puerto Rico could legally work in the United States and freely return to their country. Statistically, after they were done working, they returned to the Republic Puerto Rico.(USA Today, 2005)
Also, as a part of George Bush’s new proposal the documented and licensed illegal immigrant workers can gain American citizenship should they choose to do so. However, they will not be given any unfair advantages over immigrant who apply the
standard way. In addition, if ever the illegal immigrant working in America violates the laws and guidelines of their agreement, they can be penalized and not receive American citizenship. President Bush also resolved to work with congress in order to increase the annual number of green cards that are able to lead to American citizenship. But if they stay within the rules, the United States can offer these individuals another path towards citizenship while keeping track of their activities. George W. Bush said, “Those willing
to take the difficult path of citizenship- the path of work, patience, and assimilation- should be welcome in America.”
Generally, the Government will know more about the status of people and who is currently residing within the country.
Illegal immigrants have the capability to be decent, hard-working members of the American workforce. They maintain numerous benefits for themselves and provide the United States with many profitable positions. George W. Bush’s proposal is also helping with national security and documentation of those living illegally in the United States. If approved, America could change dramatically for the better. Immigrants could make a living in America while helping the United States’ economy thrive. It would also assist in solving many problems associated with illegal immigration in the United States. The Statue of Liberty has long represented the ideals of the American dream. On it, is the
inscription, "Give me your tired, your poor; your huddled masses yearning to
breathe free.” The United States must live up to the legacy of its predecessors and create opportunities for all those who really are tired, poor and yearning to breathe free. George W. Bush was quoted as saying, “Our country has always benefited from the dreams that
others have brought here. By working hard for a better life, immigrants contribute to the life of our great nation…This plan will help return order and fairness of our immigration system, and in so do we will honor our values, by showing our respect for those who work hard and share in the ideals of America.”
