by David Wolkoff

Created on: December 09, 2009

How would you feel if your family, friends or neighbors were suddenly ‘rounded’ up like livestock and deported back to their homelands? Surely, this act would be unsettling, even chaotic. Well, in America there are an estimated 11 to 20 million illegal immigrants and if they were all given amnesty—rather than deported or forced to live in fear—it would be beneficial to America in many ways.

Amnesty would allow illegal immigrants or undocumented aliens to gain permanent residency in the United States, thereby becoming official United States citizens. In 1986 President Ronald Reagan granted amnesty to roughly 2.8 million illegal immigrants by signing the Immigration Reform and Control Act, so the precedent is set. Although there are many more illegal immigrants now, 2.8M was in a similar proportion to the overall illegal immigrant population as today (Answers.com).

Over 200 years ago, former immigrants officially founded America. The principals of America: Freedom of speech, religion, press, etc. were established centuries ago, yet still remain in existence; most illegal immigrants in the USA come from countries which do not offer such rights—if any rights at all. Moreover, it is unbecoming of American citizens to hold attitudes of nativism. After all, almost all current citizens’ ancestors immigrated to America. That is why the idleness of the US government, the inaction is so shocking and hypocritical. How can former immigrants or ancestors of former immigrants consider themselves superior to or different than modern immigrants? The answer is they can’t; it is incorrect and amoral.

People not only become expatriates for the unparalleled human rights laws of America, but also for an opportunity to prosper economically. Many immigrants are responsible for providing for their families back home, so one immigrant is often caring for four or five.           

 If amnesty was provided, not only would illegal aliens’ economic situations improve, but the entire US economy would also benefit. According to the Washington Post, deportation—a proposed option for illegal immigrants—would cost around 40B. America, which is currently in a recession and involved in two wars, literally cannot afford to spend 40B on deportation (Aizenman, N.C, WashingtonPost.com).

 Naturally, illegal immigrants do not pay taxes because of fear of being ‘discovered.’

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