I think the main type of support that should be given the most is help integrating into our society. Our entire immigration system needs to be redone.  We have millions come here each year, and though I understand the governments' problems with so many people coming to the country. They see it as a cost to benefit ratio. There are not nearly enough visas and ways for people to legally become a citizen. I have a job and many of the people I work with are not citizens and I get fewer work hours and things because of it, but this is the American way. Companies try to make money with lowest costs and as natives to America we want more money. I think that this is a good thing. I think that we should take it as a compliment that even in our bad economy people want to be here. I don't think there is a good enough resolution that will make everyone happy. I do think that education is everything. I think that legal or not all people should be allowed to go to school. For the kids that come over or are brought over by the time they apply for residency they need money so bad they can't go to college. I feel Arizona is one of the worst states for illegals because of the things our Sheriff does.  People do not treat them the same and can be inhumane to them. They are people just like us and I think they should be treated well. I do feel that eventually everyone should become a citizen because it helps keep tabs on people and helps ensure people won't abuse illegals but I think the government needs to change its policies so that more people can become citizens. Many friends I have are legal but parents are not and if anything happened they could be left here to fend for themselves, because their parents would never want them to come back to Mexico or one friend Russia.  I really think that illegals should get the benefits that legal residents do. They are illegal because of the system and because it's so hard for them to do it the right way. I don't think that they can get social security obviously due to not having a real number which will make life in the long run harder for them but they deserve to be treated humanely. 

Immigration is not a black-and-white issue. There is no easy solution that will please everyone, and it is arguable that nothing can be done that will even fully satisfy one person. The United States is split on the issue of immigration, which is a big part of the problem - considering that there are more than two sides to the issue. In this country, we treat immigration as a political issue with Democrats taking one stance, and Republicans taking another, polar opposite, stance. However, immigration is not, by nature, a political issue. It is a social, human rights issue that has been turned into a political issue attempting to convince people that measures need to be taken in order to restore American values.. This is interesting considering America is a country that relied heavily on immigration in order to grow. Immigrants from Europe were instant members of the working class - responsible for literally building the country we know of today. Cheap labor has always been a priority of American business. As stated by Change Nation, our nations traditions are under siege from a small but vocal group of fear-mongers. The website describes our current system of immigration as "broken", dishonoring our history and values of inclusiveness and equality.

The 'Lectric Law Library has a wealth of information concerning immigration and legal policies. Any one visiting the website can learn about the GOP's stance on immigration, what our military is doing at the border, the rights of illegal immigrants, how to apply for naturalization, the immigration law compliance and much much more. The fact that this information is available at the click of a mouse is wonderful. Many people do not really know what the term "illegal immigrant" means, applying the word "illegal" to all aspects of that person's life. This is how the stereotype of "criminal" was formed. "Illegal" simply refers to the lack of documentation, but impresses the idea of criminality of all forms into the minds of U.S. citizens.

Contrary to the Republican party's belief that illegal immigrants are a huge toll on our economy, National Public Radio revealed that economists believe that overall, the American economy benefits a small amount from illegal immigration. Though it is a small benefit, it nullifies the idea that immigration can be discussed with an economic context. Likewise, laws have been passed in southern and southwest states that require employers to check citizen status of any potential employees, according to a CNN report. With this law, hiring an illegal immigrant is punishable with outrageous fines. The bill assumes the general misconception of much of the population that illegal immigrants take jobs away from Americans. But the fact of the matter is that Americans do not want the jobs that illegal immigrants are taking, and wouldn't work them even if they were available. In this sense, making it illegal to hire illegal immigrants will most likely result in an economic downturn. Many law-makers also believe that the law will discourage more immigrants from crossing the border, as well as encourage "millions" of them to return to Mexico, as they "will have nothing else to do". Despite research about the economy not being affected either way by illegal immigration, Americans and political figures continue to use the economic argument as a guise for their otherwise blatant racism. 

            I personally feel that illegal immigrants should not receive support, if they want to be here they need to become legal citizens and pay taxes just like the rest of us. I understand that there is more opportunity here than there is in their home countries, but that doesn't mean they can come over here and receive special treatment without paying their dues. Now that I have expressed my personal opinion on the matter I can continue to explain what sort of support illegal immigrants can acquire here in America.

            One type of support that can be offered are citizenship classes, where illegal immigrants can go to become citizens and to use the time they have wisely since it takes years to obtain citizenship in this country. I am a full believer in education and feel that the more educated someone is the better chance they have of living a better life. A huge way to support illegal immigrants to reconstruct our system as far as allowing them over the border or not and decreasing the amount of time it takes to become a citizen. I feel it would be necessary to give each immigrant a number as they cross the border, this way they can be tracked until they can acquire citizenship and while being tracked they must obtain legitimate jobs and pay taxes, otherwise they will be sent back and not able to come back. In some way this sounds like a green card, but it is only temporary and cannot carry them throughout their lives. By having this type of identification it not only helps the immigrants from being deported for illegally being here, it also helps the American government keep track of who is in the country citizen or not.

            As I mentioned before I do not believe in supporting illegal immigrants, but I do believe in if you cant beat them join them, this way we can just join them orderly and legitimately. 

Illegal immigrants should be given support to integrate into communities, find proper employment, and apply for residency or citizenship.   They should be given the information they need in order to begin the process to apply for residency or citizenship.  Illegal immigrants should be put into classes where they can learn English if they do not already know so.  They should be taught US policies and laws so they can be law-abiding to an extent.  If they are in the process of applying for residency or citizenship then I believe they are entitled to healthcare and education.  Immigrants should be given legal help to help them through the process of residency and so they learn the rights they will have and what rights they currently have.  However, if they are not doing so, and continue to live here undocumented and avoiding government agencies then they are not entitled to these aspects.  I think that as long as they are in the process of attaining a legal status, then they should be awarded the benefits that legal residents receive.  However, if they live here and do not pay taxes then if found, I think they should be deported. 

I think illegal immigrants should be given the opportunity to come forward and explain the reasons they entered illegally and what they would like to do to gain legal status.  But either way, illegal immigrants should be awarded basic human rights.  They should not have to show proof of residency solely because the language they speak or the color of their skin. They should be able to receive emergency healthcare whether or not they can afford to pay for it. 

I think the process to gain legal status has to be made easier and faster so the problem of illegal immigration becomes less prevalent.  Many illegal immigrants wish to do it proper but because of the time and difficulty involved they end up crossing illegally.  If the process was expedited and more reasonable and they received guidance as to what steps they need to take, I doubt the problem would be to the extent that it currently is. 

Nowadays, it seems that the term "illegal immigrants" are more associated with the Latino community than other ethnicities. True they're focused on coming to the United States for the American Dream, but only a few achieve it. The others are detained, killed, or left with shattered dreams in a dead-end life. The immigrant's main purpose of migrating here is either to escape their life in their own country or for employment. I was very surprised that in Mexico, 50% of the country are unemployed and/or in poverty. Because of this reason, Mexicans and other Hispanics are crossing the border to risk having a better life according to the panel discussion. Looking at the Lectric Law Library website, it does say that all persons within the United States jurisdiction have equal rights. Or in quote "This bill extends the equal protection of the laws to aliens, so that all persons who are in the United States shall have the equal protection of our laws. It extends the operation of the civil rights bill,…..to all persons within the jurisdiction of the United States." (1)

As stated by the Homeland security website, illegal immigrants do have some support and rights, but only a few. They can have permanent or temporary stay if registered, be granted citizenship for those eligible for naturalizing, and providing employment in the United States. (2) Also in the panel discussion, children of school age have a right to have an education in a public school setting; but cannot apply for financial aid for college (3). I am sure they are given the fundamental rights of freedoms and rights. As in employment, a majority of people are outrage for employing illegals and complain that they are taking the jobs and ruining the economy. My first thought was this was an idiotic idea because as stated in the npr website, first the jobs available are not what most people would want to work such as hard labor (landscaping and construction). In my experience I worked as a landscaper over the summer time (yes here in Phoenix) and there was a lot of Hispanic employees. From what I seen and worked with, they are a hardy group of people that works hard and gets the job done and fast. Back to the topic. The second point was that economists say that the effect on the American economy actually benefited only a small amount (4). 

However I think they can have a few more rights such as Basic Health Care more available (6). Also there could be more support for legalizing illegals like the CNN article mentioned. BUT there should be some prerequisites. First are classes on the English language. Second is legalization with the Immigration Office. That way, there should be more organization and tracking of legal immigrants. However this is not always the case because some illegal mothers are giving birthing, (some even wait and hold) here in the United States so that their child are "legally" born.

Overall, I think that the illegal immigrants should be given a chance to integrate within our society. After all, America is a culturally diverse country or commonly called the "melting pot".  Immigrants did help build America; examples include Mexicans, Italians, African Americans, and many others although not entirely recognize for their work.

Resources

1)      Illegal Immigrant's Rights- The Meaning of "Inhabitant". Lectric Law Library. Web.

http://www.lectlaw.com/files/imm14.htm

2)      Providing Immigration Benefits & Information. Homeland Security. Web. 2011

http://www.dhs.gov/files/benefits/immigration.shtm

3)      Wosinski, Marek. Education: Children of Immigrants. ASUonline. Web. 2005

http://mslasuonline.asu.edu/mediasite/Viewer/?peid=8f34e342-1478-4823-bb84-52d227704299

4)      Davidson, Adam and Hansen, Liane. Amid Rallies, Questions over Immigrants' Impact. Nrp. Web.

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=5318377

5)      Immigration debate heads from streets to Senate. CNN. Web. 2006

http://www.cnn.com/2006/POLITICS/03/26/immigration/index.html

6)      Footracer, Katerine. Immigrant health care in the United States: What ails our system? Web. 2009

http://www.jaapa.com/immigrant-health-care-in-the-united-states-what-ails-our-system/article/130524/

The issue of illegal immigration has been a long ongoing debate in politics in recent decades.  Several millions of illegal immigrants have come to the United States to search for jobs and afford the living expenses for their families. The importance to finding a solution for the immigration issue has never been so critical prior to 2012.  And, at the current rate at which government officials are agreeing on immigration policies, the problem will continue to cause divided concerns all across America.  Decisions such as the kind of support that should be given to illegal immigrants are extremely important because they have an effect on everybody living within the United States.

To make this issue even more complex, we must consider the families and generations that have lived in the United States illegally for their entire lives.  How will the United States enforce new regulations on those that never even made the choice to come here?  Decades of loose border enforcement has resulted in over 11 million illegal immigrants living in the United States.  In my opinion, this number is so outstanding that catching and deporting these individuals is an unrealistic approach to solving the problem.  Stopping the problem in the tracks would mean a large increase in border security to catch those that continue to arrive illegally.  At that time, I believe the United States can then begin to focus on addressing the issue of the millions that are already here.

With so many illegal immigrants already living in the United States, the availability of support offered is a delicate topic that involves many human lives and high costs.  I agree with this quote in particular among the articles for this lesson.  "I think it makes sense to have a temporary worker program that says you're not an automatic citizen to help, one, enforce the border, and, two, uphold the decency of America," President Bush said Wednesday (Full Senate Begins Immigration Debate).  In my opinion, "upholding the decency of America" relates to the kinds of support offered to illegal immigrants.  In America, regardless of citizenship standing, I believe that upholding this decency involves protecting a certain level of well-being and maintaining basic humane morals.  Furthermore, a temporary worker program would allow immigrants to be documented and identified which is a huge priority for the government.

For these stated reasons, I believe that illegal immigrants should have support and access to education and healthcare.  Many children that are undocumented should be viewed as "bystanders" or "accomplices" because they did not make the executive choice to journey to the United States.  For this reason, I believe that children should have access to public education.  The teacher from the panel mentions the scenario where an illegal immigrant child had excelled in education and extracurricular activities, through which he earned a scholarship to go to college.  However, since the child could not provide a social security number, he was no longer eligible for the award.  In these kinds of situations, I believe that student should be able to be a scholarship recipient for their hard work and achievements.  In a country that aims to "uphold the decency of America", I believe this means allowing illegal immigrants to have access to healthcare.  The goal of this decency equals moral treatment of all human beings and relief to areas of suffering.  If a life is threatened by treatable procedures, I believe that illegal immigrants should have the support of healthcare and access to medical centers for help. 

In my opinion I am not supporting illegal immigrants. I feel that our country has enough issues. We have individuals going jobless due to the economy and our illegal's are taking some of these jobs, such as hard labor jobs. Now in my opinion I would not want to have a hard labor job and I am sure that no one would want to. But if our citizens of the United States are jobless they should have the opportunity to take on a job like that but currently right now there are more illegal immigrants working "under the table" and being paid very low wage to send money to there families.

Now I respect the fact that these illegal immigrants are risking their lives to come across the border and help their families keep afloat while they are in another country. I feel that it isnt just the illegal immigrants fault. They come over here because we have privately owned business owners who are willing to pay an illegal immigrant because they would be so cheap instead of a United States citizen.

Now into the terms of support that should be given to illegal immigrants. The support that should be given is that we understand that they are risking their lives to come over to the United States but I feel what would benefit them is that they for one pay taxes, and when they do come across the border they are identified. No one should come to our country for free. Especially we all work for a living or go to school to better our lives. I feel that if anyone wants to work and help our country they are more than willing to come over to the US but they need to not do it on our dime but also contribute. Another factor i will bring up is that some of these illegal immigrants are creating destruction, including drug trafficking, and committing crimes in which is hurting our country and the people. If we are going to offer any kind of support to these people they need to be identified and need to not only support their families but also the US and what we respect.