Introduction
In 1990, there were an estimated three and a half million undocumented immigrants living in the United States. In 2017 a report released by the Office of Immigration Statistics presumed an undocumented immigrant population of roughly 10.5 million. The near tripling of the United States undocumented migrant population throughout the past thirty years has sparked intense controversy, swayed elections, and altered public perception about the United States migrant population. Although immigration policy was one of the most defining legacies of the Trump administration, the 2020 Presidential Election exposed the intense polarity regarding the issue as President Biden promoted his comprehensive plans to reverse former President Donald Trump’s hardline immigration policies. At the root of Biden’s plan is his proposition of a bill that would offer an eight-year path to citizenship for the 10.5 million migrants living in the United States.
This proposal comes in recognition of the wide-reaching effects that an increase in undocumented immigration has had on the country and immigrant populations. United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has had to reallocate their efforts towards an increased domestic presence more focused on the detention and deportation of individuals residing in the United States as opposed to solely concentrated border efforts. Efforts on the border have become clogged as immigration patrol struggles to balance deportation efforts as well as deterrence along the Mexican American Border wall. Not only has undocumented migration become costly for border patrol, but the label of “undocumented” scars millions across the country. Families are forced to exist under the radar, finding underground work with little upwards mobility. Both within and surrounding border cities like El Paso, Texas, individuals live in constant fear of ICE capture
Undocumented migrants account for a significant percentage of the country’s workforce, do not pose a significant threat to national safety, and are a symbol of the power of the American Dream. America’s current system of immigration control geared towards detention, deterrence, and deportation does not recognize these values, and contributes to an inefficient process that burdens the lives of tens of millions of migrants, past and present, who have interacted with the system. The recent transfer of power within the United States government has placed the country in the hands of a leader who is in support of a process that recognizes the humanity of undocumented migrants and sees the benefit of providing them a path towards citizenship. If federal legislatures support providing a path towards equality and security for those who have already proven their capacity to contribute, they will work in accordance with President Biden’s eight year path to citizenship plan.
1). Title: This is an excellent title. It clearly sets up the brief without giving up too much information. It is bold and effectively uses the colon structure.
2). Exigence: the title and the introduction speak directly to exigence. You discuss the change in administration and shift in policies as well as why immigration is a problem (1990-2017 statistic). Speaking to the role of ICE also adds to exigence.
3). Thesis: I’m not quite sure what your thesis is… I think it is legislative support for Biden’s plan? Again, I’m not really sure that is a policy? Do you plan to implement capacity builders for immigrant acceptance? What tangible methods can you implement to change the way immigrants are treated/processed in the United States? Mandates? Inducements? System changes? I’m just not sure this thesis would provide enough content for an issue brief… it isn’t quite clear in your intro/thesis.
1). Comment on the title. How does it offer a way forward on the issue? Does it hint at or echo the paper’s thesis? Make suggestions.
I love this title, I think it is very engaging and well written.
2). Does this piece’s title and introduction respond to an exigence? Does it make the issue pressing or connect to other pressing needs and issues? Make suggestions.
The exigence is definitely there with all the background history information, as well as the discussion of ICE.
3). Comment on the thesis. Does it set up a clear argumentative claim? Is it advancing a specific policy or practice? Can you imagine how the rest of the argument will unfold?
I definitely understand where your stance lies for immigration, however the exact policy you will be discussing is a bit unclear.
1. Comment on the title. How does it offer a way forward on the issue? Does it hint at or echo the paper’s thesis? Make suggestions.
As a lover of the colon, I think your title is great. It provides a snappy title with a brief explanation as to what exactly you are referring to.
2. Does this piece’s title and introduction respond to an exigence? Does it make the issue pressing or connect to other pressing needs and issues? Make suggestions.
I think your first few paragraphs most definitely speak to the exigence of this issue. You discuss the change that immigration has gone through since the 90s up to Biden’s new immigration plan. You then briefly lay out the plan for easy digestion, which I’m sure your audience will appreciate if they are unaware of exactly what Biden plans to do regarding immigration.
3. Comment on the thesis. Does it set up a clear argumentative claim? Is it advancing a specific policy or practice? Can you imagine how the rest of the argument will unfold?
I sort of agree with Rayna, if we are talking last sentence you sort of just state that no matter what this plan is the best course of action (which I suppose could work)… maybe just make your policy/action stance regarding the issue a bit clearer.