One of the major topics of debate and controversy in contemporary American politics has been the issue of immigration. A recent public debate among democratic presidential contenders left the public mostly confused regarding the position of each candidate regarding immigration. The details of their discussion can be seen here. This was mainly due to the restrained and diplomatic tone each presidential hopeful used to describe their views regarding the immigration issue which was mainly due to the reluctance of the democratic contenders to get involved in the controversy surrounding this issue.
According to the Pew Hispanic centre there are 11.5 to 12 million illegal immigrants currently residing in the United States. This figure is taken to be correct by analysts with them estimating that Hispanics coming from Mexico and other Central American countries consisting of more than 80% of this population. Most of these illegal immigrants come to the US using the vast Mexico-US border. Although a lot of effort has been made to exert more control over this border it still is very vulnerable to unauthorized crossing. [1]
The effects of illegal immigration to the Economy of the United States are debated. However most economists agree that the wealthy class of American society benefits from the illegal immigration while the lower class suffer due to more competition in job finding and lower wages because of this competition. Paul Samuelson who is a professor of economy at MIT and a Nobel Prize winner concurs with this analysis. [2]
One of the major issues of debate in American politics regarding this matter has been the idea of building a fence on the Mexico-US border. A report conducted by Rasmussen Reports concluded that 56 percents of Americans favor building a fence along the Mexican border. The poll found that the views of the public were cut along party lines to some extent. The report show that 75% of surveyed Republicans supported the fence and the subject was more important to them. [3]
References:
1- Passel, Jeffrey. "Estimates of the Size and Characteristics of the Undocumented Population" (, Pew Hispanic Center, 2005-03-21.
According to the Pew Hispanic centre there are 11.5 to 12 million illegal immigrants currently residing in the United States. This figure is taken to be correct by analysts with them estimating that Hispanics coming from Mexico and other Central American countries consisting of more than 80% of this population. Most of these illegal immigrants come to the US using the vast Mexico-US border. Although a lot of effort has been made to exert more control over this border it still is very vulnerable to unauthorized crossing. [1]
The effects of illegal immigration to the Economy of the United States are debated. However most economists agree that the wealthy class of American society benefits from the illegal immigration while the lower class suffer due to more competition in job finding and lower wages because of this competition. Paul Samuelson who is a professor of economy at MIT and a Nobel Prize winner concurs with this analysis. [2]
One of the major issues of debate in American politics regarding this matter has been the idea of building a fence on the Mexico-US border. A report conducted by Rasmussen Reports concluded that 56 percents of Americans favor building a fence along the Mexican border. The poll found that the views of the public were cut along party lines to some extent. The report show that 75% of surveyed Republicans supported the fence and the subject was more important to them. [3]
References:
1- Passel, Jeffrey. "Estimates of the Size and Characteristics of the Undocumented Population" (, Pew Hispanic Center, 2005-03-21.
2- Elstrom, Peter , "Fresh Ideas for the Immigration Debate", BusinessWeekOnline: 6-6, (2/27/2007),
3- Joe Murray, "Poll: Americans Frustrated With Immigration Crisis," [Philadelphia] "Evening Bulletin, August 21, 2007
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