Category: Civic Issue

Overview

The tripling of the United States undocumented citizen population throughout the past thirty years has sparked intense controversy, swayed elections, and altered public perception about the United States migrant population. A 2017 estimate released by the Office of Immigration Statistics presumed an undocumented immigrant population of roughly 10.5 million currently residing in the United States. Although this number is lower than the estimated 12 million migrants in the United States during 2015, it is estimated that roughly 70,000 additional undocumented migrants will enter the United States this year (Kamarck).

The United States immigration dilemma spans far beyond the immediate crisis on the Mexican-American border, but festers constantly in the lives of the ten and a half million migrants who must work to avoid capture from border patrol. President Biden has recognized the need for the United States to address immigration issues in a multifaceted manner, and has proposed legislation that would allow undocumented migrants currently residing in the United States a path towards citizenship.

Do I think This Is a Good Idea?

For years, astronomically high expectations have been set for those seeking citizenship and asylum in the United States. Migrants who become citizens of the United States are expected to work particularly hard and contribute just as any American citizen would. One of the primary condemnations of illegal immigration is the fact that undocumented migrants are not forced to pay taxes and engage in the social constructs that are expected of citizens.

The problem with this perception is it ignores the fact that just about any attempt by an undocumented migrant to explicitly engage in what is expected of American citizens could result in a swift deportation, or years of grueling detention or separation. The expectation for undocumented migrants to act as American citizens and the realization of their failure to do as such makes light of the extreme risks that come with getting identified by the federal government as illegal.

Despite these flawed expectations, an estimated minimum of 8 million undocumented migrants were actively engaging in the United States workforce, whether that be under the table employment or working for a private companies/households. One of the most popular statistics that describe the role that undocumented migrants play in the United States workforce is the fact that “Undocumented migrants make up approximately 3.2 percent of the U.S. population, but 4.4 percent of the countries workforce” (release).

With these statistics considered, it is true that migrants currently living in the United States are capable of contributing to the United States workforce. Providing the opportunity for citizenship will benefit both the country and the migrants themselves, making them capable of paying taxes, and relieving the constant stress that comes with hiding from Border Patrol.

Many border cities like El Paso, Texas already recognize the importance of allowing migrants a platform to feel safe in order to enable increased contribution. Schools like the University of Texas in El Paso (UTEP) work closely with migrant families to provide undocumented students an education and a path towards a degree. The school, along with other universities like South Texas College, are committed to “helping others achieve the American dream” through education and interaction (UTEP).

I think that the best evaluation of the undocumented community comes by looking at border cities like El Paso, whose community is built around hardworking migrants. Because of this, I am in full support of a path to citizenship for undocumented families and individuals.

Prerequisites In Order to Obtain Citizenship

Of Course, the path to citizenship for undocumented migrants will be intensive and holistic, considering one’s ability to pay taxes, gain employment, and uphold the safety and security of the United States. President Biden has already clearly stated his intention for deep background checks to be performed prior to the beginning of citizenship proceedings, as well as any records of employment/tax participation both prior to and during one’s time in the United States.

The emphasis on background checks already described by President Biden comes in response to public reservations about crime stemming from immigration. In a study by the Proceedings of the National Academy of Science 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 also have the lowest felony arrest rates when looking at all four crime types (PNAS). Despite these statistics, there still remains a relatively strong stigma that labels undocumented migrants as “illegal aliens”. President Biden will likely be pressured to make background checks strict, intensive, and unforgiving if he is to win any ounce of bipartisan support in his mission to provide citizenship

Works Cited

Kamarck, Elaine, and Christine Stenglein. “How Many Undocumented Immigrants Are in the United States and Who Are They?” Brookings, Brookings, 27 Oct. 2020, www.brookings.edu/policy2020/votervital/how-many-undocumented-immigrants-are-in-the-united-states-and-who-are-they/.

“RELEASE: Millions of Undocumented Immigrants Are Essential to America’s Recovery, New Report Shows.” Center for American Progress, www.americanprogress.org/press/release/2020/12/02/493404/release-millions-undocumented-immigrants-essential-americas-recovery-new-report-shows/.

Light, Michael T., et al. “Comparing Crime Rates between Undocumented Immigrants, Legal Immigrants, and Native-Born US Citizens in Texas.” PNAS, National Academy of Sciences, 22 Dec. 2020, www.pnas.org/content/117/51/32340.

“UTEP Partners in New National Effort to Help ‘DREAMers’ Obtain Career-Ready College Education.” UTEP Partners in New National Effort to Help “DREAMers” Obtain Career-Ready College Education – UTEP News Archive, news.utep.edu/utep-partners-in-new-national-effort-to-help-dreamers-obtain-career-ready-college-education/.

 

My New issue brief topic will be in regards to the implementation of  policy that provides a path to citizenship for undocumented citizens already living and working in the United States. I believe that this topic fits the criteria for exigence, and has fit the criteria for years. Border States like New Mexico and Texas are heavily populated with undocumented citizens, most of which living in fear while contributing to our nation. The rhetorical situation of this issue is at an all time high as the transition of power from the Trump administration to the Biden administration means there will be an influx of policy changes on the border yet again. An increased focus on the Mexican-American border is a terrible reality that undocumented immigrants must face, and it will make their lives harder until there is concrete policy change.

In my issue brief I will focus primarily on the integration of undocumented immigrants living and working in Southern Border states and cities. It is undoubtedly true that undocumented citizens live all across the United States, providing essential work and contributing to our country. Focusing primarily on the situation near the border will help me consolidate my argument and speak in regards to the situation that is the center of focus. I believe that Biden’s plan to provide an avenue towards citizenship for these people who are living and working underground can be achieved through inducement system changes, ultimately leading to the formation of capacity builders. The plan requires individuals seeking citizenship to complete a comprehensive background check and provide tax records. These requirements encourage positive contribution for those seeking citizenship. There are many policies in place in border cities like El Paso to protect undocumented citizens from the federal government. Systematic Changes in regards to deportation and detaination can make the federal government allies of these border cities, allowing them both to work in conjunction to fairly and efficiently deal with undocumented immigrants. There is hope that systematic changes that provide a path to citizenship for undocumented citizens will reverse the longstanding stigma that views undocumented immigrants as completely detrimental to the United States.

Overview

One of President Joe Biden’s signature campaign promises was the implementation of a temporary 100 day deportation ban. President Biden’s deportation ban is designed to allow the government ample to time to reassess immigration enforcement approaches, and reverse President Trump’s hardline immigration policies. President Biden’s temporary ban was widely praised by advocates of immigration reform. Undocumented migrants who have entered or lived in the United States throughout the past four years have been subject to extreme deportation attempts, and this 100 day grace period would provide substantial relief.

Biden’s deportation ban efforts were abruptly halted this past Tuesday by a federal Texas Judge. Judge Drew Tipton blocked the advancement of the 100-day proposal. This came after Judge Tipton had already issued an order to stop the proposal from being enforced.

Judge Tipton argued that the pause on deportation would cause financial harm to the state of Texas. He argues that the proposition is arbitrary. Tipton’s ruling in Texas has halted the proposition across the entire country, and has been criticized by many activists who describe Tipton’s decision as

“An attempt to deprive the Biden administration of a meaningful opportunity to review and assess immigration enforcement after years of living under lawless Trump Policies.” – Politico

It is necessary to address the recent statement made by President Biden and ICE concerning deportation. Last week, the administration stated that they would not cease to deport and try immigrants that pose a threat to national security, border security, or present a public safety risk. During the 100-day period deportation pause, the enforcement of public safety would not cease. What would stop is the active seeking of “non target” undocumented migrants, who are densely populated in border cities like El Paso.

Biden’s memorandum also revoked many of Trump’s previous immigration policies, including a policy that required immigration service to put those whose humanitarian visas were denied directly into removal proceedings without further review. If passed, Biden’s memorandum will not only provide a 100 day window for comprehensive reviewal and reform, but also will greatly aid the United States current humanitarian crisis on the Southern Border. During the 100-day immigration halt, Biden’s administration would work extremely close with Southern Border control in order to assess what needs to be changed on the border. These changes would likely not be implemented during the 100 day period, but there is hope that by the end of the time allotment, there will be a clear cut, achievable, plan of action.

Benefits of Biden’s 100 Day Deportation Halt

The most evident benefit of President Biden’s deportation halt is the fact that it gives ample time to facilitate change in terms of immigration policies. A 100 day window sets a deadline for comprehensive reform, which can in turn result in concrete change in response to Trump’s hardline approaches.

One of the most criticized factors of former President Trump’s immigration policies was the amount of subjectivity and confusion that occurred across the border. This was due in large part to a lack of formal policy and overly ambitious immigration regulation. An attempt by the Biden administration to reverse the notoriously strict policies of the Trump administration, while still actively deporting “non target” migrants could cause much more confusion on the border. Border agents will be asked in the coming year to make drastic shifts in how they detain migrants, and this transition will take time. Border agents may struggle to perform their typical duties in wake of a drastically new administration.

Drawbacks of Biden’s proposed Memorandum

For some, a temporary halt in deportation proceedings could be seen as dangerous to the American people. Opponents cite the fact that all immigrants are “Non target”, until they aren’t. Deportation of all undocumented migrants is seen as the best way to promote national security. A 100 day deportation ban does not usually follow an executive switch, and some argue that a relatively seamless policy transition can occur without a halt to deporation.

Texas Judge Drew Tipton is fearful that a halt in deportation could prove fiscally harmful for the country. Many counter Tipton’s claims, however, citing that his ban of Biden’s plan is a temporary attempt to maintain Trump’s hardline immigration policies.

My Thoughts On Biden’s Deportation Memorandum

Overall, I think President Biden’s immigration halt is a great idea and will eventually be put into practice. Judge Tipton has stalled his approval of the plan for the past month, and it will be hard for him to continuously be able to justify his denial of the proposal on the basis of fiscal harm. I view the temporary halting of deportation as an extremely practical step in terms of setting a timetable for change, and making such drastic reform run smoothly.

I think President Biden’s 100 day memorandum will be the first step in altering the way in which the United States government pursues undocumented migrants. Biden’s administration will be looking for ways decrease resources allocated to the active deportation of non-target migrants. Biden’s current philosophy regarding immigration control clashes harshly with that of Trump’s, and will look to make progressive attempts in terms of providing immigrants and home in the US. President Joe Biden’s administration seems to be ready to take on of one of the most drastic overhauls of the United States immigration system in recent history.

Predictions About Biden’s Comprehensive Plan Following 100 Day Deportation Ban

I predict that President Biden’s 100 Day deportation ban will prove pivotal in terms of altering the United States immigration approach. Throughout the 100 day period, the administration will look closely at the fiscal consequences of decreased immigration, as well as unemployment and crime rates in Southern migrant cities. I predict that a very small correlation will exist between illegal immigration of nontarget migrants, making it challenging for the United States to justify a continued pouring out of resources into active deportation efforts. I predict that what is found during this 100 day period will provide evidence that President Biden will lean on in order to justify many of his drastic responses to former President Trump.

Works Cited

Rodriguez, Sabrina. “Federal Judge Deals Biden Another Blow on 100-Day Deportation Ban.” POLITICO, 24 Feb. 2021, www.politico.com/news/2021/02/24/texas-judge-biden-deportation-ban-471315.

The Associated Press. “Judge Bans Enforcement Of Biden’s 100-Day Deportation Pause.” NPR, NPR, 24 Feb. 2021, www.npr.org/2021/02/24/970914755/judge-bans-enforcement-of-bidens-100-day-deportation-pause.

 

The 2016 Presidential Election spotlighted many hot-button topics, but none as contentious as the issue of Immigration on America’s Southern border. Questions about Border Protection, Wall infrastructure, and the more general process of obtaining citizenship were heard on a national stage. Former President Donald Trump was renowned for his hardline approach towards regulation on the Mexican-American border, and entered the Whitehouse with promises to “Build That Wall”. By the end of his first and only term as President, Trump had not necessarily lived up to his border infrastructure promises, but had certainly made the situation at the Mexican-American border more divisive and intense. Although most of President Trump’s extremely aggressive immigration orders were shot down in court, his administration has become responsible for the displacement of 2,654 children of immigrant families, according to data released by the United States government.

The inauguration of the 46^th President of the United States, Joe Biden, marks a new age for immigration reform. Since his inauguration, President Biden has signed 29 executive orders, most of which are in response to policies that dominated the Trump administration. In addition to President Bidens efforts to reverse Trump’s actions as President, Biden has promised to address the situation on the Mexican American Border. The White House Website compiles President Bidens statements and public releases, and holds Bidens plan to counter the former Presidents aggressive Border approach.

“On January 20th, the Biden Harris Administration took the first steps in a broad, whole of government effort to finally reform our immigration system, including sending to Congress legislation that creates a pathway to citizenship for the nearly 11 million undocumented immigrants living in and contributing to our country.”

I was immediately impressed by President Bidens swiftness in terms of taking well meditated and straightforward action to reform America’s immigration system. Joe Bidens administration made it clear the how they were going to deal with the millions of undocumented migrants living and working inside of the United States illegally. In the year of 2019, Southwest Border apprehensions and deportations doubled from 2018 and reached its highest point since the early 2000s. This staggering inflation of deportations and apprehensions is a result of both President Trump’s aggressive policies, and an influx of Southern Migrants seeking refuge. Biden’s plan to offer a path to citizenship to undocumented citizens identified by the federal government is in direct opposition to his predecessor’s approach.

When visiting the city of El Paso, Texas, I learned just how dependent some Southwest cities are on undocumented immigrants. While speaking to a city representative, she described to me and my travel group the essential benefits that undocumented people provide to the city of El Paso, such as business and construction work. The University of Texas El Paso, or UTEP, even makes special accommodations for undocumented migrants. UTEP works closely with undocumented families in order to provide college age students with a degree without the risk of deportation. Despite the accommodations that some Southwest cities make towards undocumented migrants, the lifestyle is less than ideal. Something as minor as a speeding ticket can result in deportation. America’s deportation process lacks uniformity and organization. Patrons are often detained in detention centers prior to their deportation court date. Those apprehended may have no chance to communicate with their family during this time, or may not be willing to give up their families location. This leads to the displacement of thousands of fathers and mothers. Naturally, those who leave family behind in America will seek re-entry after their deportation, making the process ineffective.

Although I do not necessarily support illegal immigration, I am overjoyed to see Biden’s willingness to work with those who have already entered the United States illegally. Prior attempts to apprehend undocumented immigrants who have already established roots in the United States have proven to be inhumane, and not conducive to overall border protection. One possible consequence of Bidens lenience towards current undocumented migrants may be an increased focus on the current situation at the border. The President and his team can focus on overcrowding and injustice at the border, instead of letting the issue compound on itself while resources are being placed elsewhere.

Another essential component of President Biden’s Immigration plan is to “Develop a Strategy to Address Irregular Migration Across the Southern Border and Create a Humane Asylum System.” Although dealing with Mexican-American immigration is often associated with border control, there are many steps that can be taken to prevent border conflict in the first place.

The asylum-seeking process under the Trump administration was hazy and extremely difficult to maneuver. Some of the most common critiques of the system as described by asylum seekers were its inability to keep asylum seekers informed, an inability to protect asylum seekers, and its capacity for causing further harm towards refugee families. Many of the separated children that the United government has reported came from families seeking asylum. One of the most silent evils of America’s current asylum system is the fact that asylum seekers are often sent back to the very homes that they fled while they wait to be accepted. An asylum seeker named Elisa describes….

 

“I couldn’t fight back, I didn’t want them to hurt my kids, so we left.”

 

The current asylum system offers two options for those seeking refuge in the United States: Risk government separation, or wait in the very place that you escaped from for approval to enter the United States at an indeterminate date.

President Biden’s administration proposes a three part plan with the goal of “safe, lawful, and orderly migration” The administration vows to attempt to remedy the foreign injustices that lead to asylum seekers, work with other nations to create a process in which host countries play equal roles in granting asylum, and ensuring an efficient and legitimate path towards citizenship in the United States. In my opinion, the final two goals of Biden’s asylum plan are the most crucial. Injustices in foreign nations will likely continue to persist, and may be increased if the United States attempts to intervene. A close partnership with European host countries will help create more transparency throughout the asylum process, and help families better navigate their search for a new home.

Overall, President Bidens initial Immigration Plans as described through the White House Website are as ambitious as President Trumps were, but on the complete opposite end of the political spectrum. Although I support many of Biden’s future immigration plans, I have serious questions about how whether or not these ambitions will actually cement themselves into American law. This Blog will track the effectiveness of the Biden Administration’s immigration efforts, as well as highlight the situation across the Southwest border.