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 11 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 11 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.
Undocumented Migrants and the United States: Economics
Opponents of America’s undocumented migrant population cite various negative generalizations about undocumented people in order to justify active deportation efforts of non-risk migrants. One of the most common criticisms of the undocumented migrant population is rooted in the notion that those living under the radar leach off of the benefits of being an American citizen without contributing to the social dues necessary to enjoy these benefits in a justified manner. The United States has become extremely wary of granting citizenship to those of modest means along the border, as seen through the “Public Charge” rule, which directs immigration officials to reject citizenship applications that indicate a need for copious amounts of public benefits. Despite widespread economic fears, it has been proven that undocumented migrants provide significant aid to the United States economy
- An estimated minimum of eight million undocumented migrants are actively engaging in the United States workforce, either through under the table work or employment through private companies/households
- Undocumented migrants make up approximately 3.2 percent of the U.S. population but 4.4% of the country’s workforce
- Increased geographic mobility of migrants make the undocumented population capable of quickly responding to worker shortages, filling jobs in need.
- Contrary to popular belief, undocumented immigrants do pay taxes. A 2017 report by the Institute On Taxation and Economic Policy provides an estimate stating that the countries undocumented population pays “8% of their incomes in state and local taxes”.
- A 2016 study performed by the Center of American Progress found that removing the economic impact of undocumented immigrants would reduce national GDP immediately by 1.4%, and 2.6% in total.
The economic benefits that undocumented immigrants provide to the United States economy is significant and essential. Providing a concrete path towards citizenship for this demographic will only increase economic contributions. A proposed path to citizenship plan in 2013 estimated that the integration of undocumented immigrants would have decreased federal budget deficits by nearly one trillion dollars over the span of 20 years, and increased the nations GDP significantly.
Undocumented Migrants and the United States: Security
Safety and security concerns are a popular talking point when considering the presence of undocumented immigrants living in the United States. Many accuse immigrants, both undocumented and legal, as major contributors to America’s drug trade. Politicians who oppose a more progressive stance towards immigration control have not hesitated to use divisive rhetoric in an attempt to describe undocumented immigrants as “aliens”. Former President Donald Trump said in 2018:
“We have people coming into the country or trying to come in, we’re stopping a lot of them, but we’re taking people out of the country. You wouldn’t believe how bad these people are. These aren’t people. These are animals.”
- In a study evaluating crime rates between Undocumented migrants and Legal-Born U.S. citizens, US citizens are two times more likely to be arrested for violent crimes, and over 4 times more likely to be arrested for property crimes.
- Undocumented migrants have the lowest felony arrest rates when looking at all four crime types.
- “In 2018, the illegal immigrant criminal conviction rate was 782 per 100,000 illegal immigrants, 535 per 100,000 legal immigrants, and 1,422 per 100,000 native‐born Americans. The illegal immigrant criminal conviction rate was 45 percent below that of native‐born Americans in Texas”
- No relationship except for a weak negative relationship exists between immigration and crime
- Between 2007 and 2016, crime rates continued to fall across the country despite the drastic increase in illegal immigration
- Highly populated areas with more undocumented immigrants reported significantly lower property crime rates and relatively equal violent crime rates than less populated areas
Immigration Policy Today: An Inefficient System
- Talk about unnecessary federal spending on efforts that have proven ineffective
- Talk about effects on undocumented migrants from a moral standpoint
- Life of fear, little upward mobility opportunity, restrictions
Time for Action: The Effects of the Trump Administration on Undocumented Life
- Briefly describe Trump’s legacy/its issues
- Living in fear/creating fear
- Quotes
A Clear Path Towards Citizenship: Key Elements
- Description of proposed path towards citizenship
- Holistic background checks
- Describe
- Work experience
- Both in US and elsewhere
- 8 year track
- why 8 years?
Benefits of Providing a Path Towards Citizenship
- Economics
- Describe
- Reallocation of time and effort across border
- Resources can be placed elsewhere
- Controversy control
Conclusion
- draw on fact that border cities already recognize the value of including these people into U.S. community
- mutually beneficial
- call for action
I apologize for an incomplete draft. Hopefully my plan for the rest of my issue brief is evident through the outline of my last 4-5 sections as well as a partial draft.
Questions
- do I get off topic anywhere
- is there any concept that I should explain more
- is there any part of my rough draft that does not seem backed by enough evidence
My works cited is currently being crafted, and I have a source for each of my facts stated. I currently have about 20-25 sources from what I have written so far, and plan to have more as I continue to write
1). Answer any questions the writer may have posed about the draft
a. Off-topic: No, I believe what you have so far is easy to follow and relevant to the issue brief.
b. Explanation: with the research you have so far, you have adequately explained concepts and offered supporting statistics.
c. Enough evidence: I believe you have plenty of evidence to substantiate your argument.
2). Thesis Scope/Convincing: You argue for a path to citizenship, but I don’t see a solid thesis anywhere in your introduction. I believe it is at the end of the 3rd paragraph starting with “If federal legislatures”… but I’m still unsure. I suggest you explicitly state your proposal in the thesis (ex: “Undocumented immigrants are essential for the U.S. economy and representative of the American dream, and thus, a path to citizenship is imperative for the future both immigrants and the country”). You make a convincing argument for allowing undocumented immigrants to pursue citizenship through relevant statistics and debunking common concerns.
3). Evidence/Stronger Sources: You have clearly done an extensive amount of research. While your evidence is compelling, listing it in bullet points is only sometimes effective. I believe you should offer a bit of commentary along with the statistics in order to make the brief more entertaining to read. Additionally, where are the citations? You have numerous statistics but no citations. But, again, excellent job on the evidence/source side of things thus far.
4). Feasibility/Objections: From what has been written, no such argument for feasibility or counterarguments have been made. This is something to keep in mind as you continue writing.
5). Improvements to Arrangement: The layout so far appears to be effective. The infographics are engaging and substantiate your claims. I would again make sure to include feasibility and objections going forward… perhaps instead of focusing on the failures of the previous administration (“Time for Action” portion).
6). Structure/Subtitles: I think the structure is solid so far. The introduction is a bit redundant, and I think it could definitely be shortened. The subtitles are intriguing and related to the topic overall (but, see comment above). I do think the sheer number of statistics you have so far is a little overwhelming as a reader (I kind of glossed over them without really taking it in), so perhaps break it up with a bit of dialogue.
7). Recommendations: Citations need to be added and formatted in Chicago style. I suggest removing “Time for Action: The Effects of the Trump Administration on Undocumented Life” and replacing it with feasibility/objections (as I previously stated). Again, I also think the thesis should be made clearer and the introduction shortened.
1). Answer any questions the writer may have posed about the draft
You don’t get off topic, you explained everything sufficiently, and I think you have plenty of evidence.
2). Comment on scope of the thesis and whether or not it was convincingly argued. What improvements are needed to make it more convincing?
Maybe just explicitly state your thesis at the end of your into paragraph, but I definitely understand your point and think it is convincing.
3). Comment on the evidence for the policy or its implementation. Does the draft need stronger sources to support the arguments? What kinds?
I think your sources are strong and effective for your argument.
4). Did the piece handle questions of feasibility or objections to the policy?
Maybe mention some feasibility options in your brief.
5). Comment on any improvements to arrangement that could be considered.
Just turn the bullet points into paragraphs, but I believe that was already your intention.
6). Comment on the structure of the issue brief, including subtitles.
Like I said above about the bullet points.
7). Make one recommendation for something that could be moved, changed, added, or deleted.
I like everything you’ve done so far besides the suggestions I made above.
do I get off topic anywhere
I think you are good! So far, the piece flows well and makes sense. Everything you added is necessary.
is there any concept that I should explain more
The explaining you have so far in economics section is very good. When writing a paper like this I always tell everyone to be sure to explain certain laws, topics, or ideas that the audience may not have heard before well so that they know exactly what you are discussing. What you have so far has done this effectively.
is there any part of my rough draft that does not seem backed by enough evidence
As of right now, no, you have plenty of good evidence and the claims are backed up well.
2). Comment on scope of the thesis and whether or not it was convincingly argued. What improvements are needed to make it more convincing?
If your thesis revolves around your solution to this issue being following Biden’s plan I would explicitly state in the thesis that the plan is providing an easier path to citizenship.
3). Comment on the evidence for the policy or its implementation. Does the draft need stronger sources to support the arguments? What kinds?
So far, the work you have is great. When writing your bullets into a real paragraph just continue to use your evidence and be sure to explain concepts that may be foreign to your audience in detail.
4). Did the piece handle questions of feasibility or objections to the policy?
No direct arguments or cons for your approach are outlined, but I’m sure you will do that once you begin discussing your policy/proposal at the end.
5). Comment on any improvements to arrangement that could be considered.
I like the graphics you have now, the arrangement is TBD
6). Comment on the structure of the issue brief, including subtitles.
Subtitles are good, title and structure tbd but what you have flows nicely and is broken up well.
7). Make one recommendation for something that could be moved, changed, added, or deleted.
What I said about your thesis above, everything else so far seems to be going well.