Vendela Ochse

Vendela Ochse
Professor McGriff
ENC 1101
10/26/2014

Just and Humane Immigration Reform Will Bring Immigrants Out of the Shadows
The subject illegal immigration is a huge problem within America. Some may support it,
some may not, some may even have no status within their feelings among immigration.
However, the three articles mentioned below may change your perspective. Authors; Timothy,
Robert, Patrick, and Johnny share their perspective, while persuading to readers why
immigration should either end or be left alone. But not to fool you, the main idea in which we are
focusing on is to stop and think, why do we have illegal immigration? Illegal immigration is not
all negative in fact, immigration will help America realize what it is like to feel alienated, it will
help America's economy, in addition to help producers allot their expenses better.

To begin the article, "Just and Humane Immigration Reform Will Bring Immigrants Out
of the Shadows" Timothy Dolan helps his audience understand the immigrants situation. He also
helps readers realize that immigrants weren't welcomed into America, in fact, they were and still
are treated like aliens. Timothy states,

"In the end, immigration reform is about answers to some basic questions...Do we want
to continue a system that keeps millions of people in a permanent underclass? Do we

want to continue to separate a generation of children from their parents? Do we want to

continue the American heritage of hospitality or not? We must do better."

He supplies these questions as a wrapping point to the main idea of his article; the current
immigration laws must change. No longer should America shut out immigrants, nor should they
be treated like, aliens. In order to improve America's stance on illegal immigration, society needs
to treat the "aliens" more humanely, rather than sending them to jail and separating them from
their families. Society must listen, and understand the purpose on why illegal immigration
occurs.

Similar to Timothy's point, authors Robert Lynch and Patrick Oakford supply a solution
on how to better the economy in their article, " Granting Illegal Immigrants a Path to Citizenship
Would Boost US and State Economies." They believe that once you allow immigrants in, it will
not only give them security within America, but help America too! As stated in this article,
"Immigrants are not just workersthey are also taxpayers and consumers. They pay
taxes on their higher wages and they spend their increased earnings on the purchase of
goods and services including food, clothing, and homes. This increased consumption
boosts business sales, expands the economy, generates new jobs, and increases the
earnings of all Americans."
In other words, Robert and Patrick are indicating that immigrants are people too. They are not
just workers; they are part of the populace that helps America function. Immigrants pay taxes,
they buy goods; they are consumers. This helps businesses function, as well. More people buy
goods, which increases demand; producers can raise the price of their goods, jobs expand, and
the economy is more functional. Also, an interesting fact stated in the article:

"If the 11.1 million undocumented immigrants currently living in the United
States were provided legal status- immigration reform would create 121,000 new jobs
each year. Undocumented immigrants would also benefit and contribute more to the U.S.
economy."
Likewise, Timothy in this case would agree. He already feels immigration is an issue, as
Robert and Patrick do too. But, Robert and Patrick do something different in comparison of
Timothy. Timothy simply states his opinion regarding immigration. He connects to readers
having them think. Whereas, Robert and Patrick simply supply a solution. A solution in which,
can stop illegal immigration.
Whereas, in the article, "Illegal Immigration Benefits America" author, Johnny Wendell
doesn't exactly have an opinion regarding, immigration. However, he does state that if
immigrants were found and forced to go back to where they came from, they would just come
back. America is known to be open to the public, which is why immigrants come to America.
This in which can cause illegal immigration. Now, immigration can benefit America, those
however who are producers. This is because, rather than paying a U.S. citizen minimum wage to
pick apples from a farm, they can pay immigrants $3 an hour which saves producers money. This
also makes the price of goods significantly less to the consumer.
Reading this article you begin to notice Timothy and Johnny have different feelings
regarding immigration. As Timothy feels immigration must stop. Whereas, Johnny feels America
is fine just the way it is, they oddly connect. Yes, the immigrants' cost of labor can be
excessively low however, is this exactly fare to immigrants? Yes, it saves producers money, but
why take advantage of immigrants? These are the questions Timothy would most likely ask.

Timothy would also feel that immigrants won't be granted freedom like the authors explained
above. Rather than taking advantage of immigrants, work together. Supply a solution like Robert
and Patrick did. Make America think like Timothy did. Lastly, benefit America like Johnny
discusses, only don't take advantage of immigrants. Allow them to earn raises based on their
performance, just as citizens of America do. Also, allow them the luxury items you yourself
have, don't limit them to less than what they originally had. Immigrants are people too, if Johnny
included this within his article both Timothy and Johnny would have connected better.
This concludes, that immigration must simply stop. We call America, "The Melting Pot"
so why can't we allow immigrants to join America? Why must we continue to judge and restrict
immigrants from joining the land of the free? As stated in the article , "Just and Humane
Immigration Reform Will Bring Immigrants Out of the Shadows," "The Senate proposal, while
not perfect, goes a long way toward correcting injustices in the system. Despite its shortcomings,
the bill significantly improves upon the status quo and will assist millions of families. We look
forward to continuing to work with Congress to improve the legislation, and we applaud
lawmakers of both parties who are working together to bring 11 million people out of the
shadows." Therefore, if the Senate itself is helping to eliminate immigration, it must not be all
that bad. Soon illegal immigration will not be illegal in fact, immigration will help America
realize what it is like to feel alienated, it will help America's economy, in addition to help
producers allot their expenses better.

Cited
Dolan, Timothy. "Just and Humane Immigration Reform Will Bring Immigrants Out of the
Shadows." Immigration. Ed. Debra A. Miller. Farmington Hills, MI: Greenhaven Press,
2014. Current Controversies. Rpt. from "Catholic Bishops: Fix Unjust Immigration
System." USA Today 9 June 2013. Opposing Viewpoints in Context. Web. 20 Oct. 2014.

Lynch, Robert, and Patrick Oakford. "Granting Illegal Immigrants a Path to Citizenship Would
Boost US and State Economies." Immigration. Ed. Debra A. Miller. Farmington Hills,
MI: Greenhaven Press, 2014. Current Controversies. Rpt. from "National and State-byState Economic Benefits of Immigration Reform." Center for American Progress.
2013. Opposing Viewpoints in Context. Web. 20 Oct. 2014.

Wendell, Johnny Angel. "Illegal Immigration Benefits America." Immigration. Ed. Debra A.
Miller. Farmington Hills, MI: Greenhaven Press, 2014. Current Controversies. Rpt. from
"The 'Do Nothing' Solution to 'Illegal Immigration,'." www.sfbg.com 17 May
2013.Opposing Viewpoints in Context. Web. 20 Oct. 2014.