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Do amnesties transform illegal into being patriotic Americans? Does it take having legal status as an American citizen or permanent resident to induce patriotism? These are good questions, which many people are now pondering, as the United States confronts the fact that there are over five million illegal aliens in the United States (Immigration & Naturalization 1996 estimates according the Triennial Comprehensive Report on Immigration).

As the rates of unemployment, poverty, cost of living, insurance and health-care all rise and the United States continues fighting the war in Iraq, Americans are becoming more consciously aware of the illegal aliens. Much debate regarding the benefits and disadvantages of having illegal residents living in the United States occurs on a daily basis, in all levels of American society. Some people think these immigrants should be granted legal status, as was done through the Immigration Reform and Control Act (IRCA) for over 2.6 million illegal residents during 1988-1994. Others think the illegal immigrants should be rounded up and deported back to their own countries.

What many people do not realize is that the majority of all immigrants tend to migrate to only six states and fifteen metropolitan areas when they come to the United States (statistics taken from the Triennial Comprehensive Report on Immigration). Thus, a major population explosion occurs, causing massive problems for those areas. As it was back in 1988-1994, most of these current illegal aliens were born in Mexico. So obviously, the solution is not to just simply legalize every illegal immigrant that currently resides in the United States. It does not prevent more illegal immigrants from entering the country.

Therefore, what should be done regarding these people's status? With the war in Iraq continuing to drain our financial and military resources, and the constant threat of terrorism reminding all Americans of how vulnerable we may be, just how do we determine who is patriotic and who is not? Can a person be considered patriotic simply because they were born in the United States or to American parents? Is a person patriotic because they obey all the laws of their country, or have followed the legal procedures to become a naturalized citizen? Does military service prove that a person is patriotic?

I worked for the Dallas District office of Immigration & Naturalization Service during the years that IRCA was being enforced. I met thousands of these immigrants in person.

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