Dangerous and expensive journey
Dangerous animals hidden in the sand
Hot sun blaring down on you
No certainty that you will get into the United States
Officers patrolling the border
Families broken apart
One parent may live in United States other in Mexico
People working jobs that nobody else wants
Low wages and no benefits
Uncertainty of being deported
Government tried to pass a bill to legalize people
It did not pass in congress
Government tried to pass a bill to put more fencing at the border
It passed
Time to find a way to fix the immigration system
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
Friday, December 12, 2008
Border
Since 2005 there has been construction on 850 miles of fence along the Mexican border. To this day the fence is not done and the government hopes to get 670 miles done by the end of the year. The fence along the border is not only costly but also ineffective and dangerous to the sensitive wildlife.
The fence at the border is not only costly right now but the cost will continue to rise because of the elements and people crossing the border. It is estimated that at the moment it costs four million dollars per mile for pedestrian fencing (Kariam 2008). It is also estimated that the cost for vehicle fencing is two million dollars per mile (Kariam 2008). It is predicted that in 25 years the upkeep of the fence will cost 16.4 million dollars to 70 million dollars per mile depending on the damage (Kariam 2008). The fence is costing and will cost tax payers a substantial amount of money.
People that live on the U.S. Mexico border attest that the border is ineffective. They say that even though that the border has cameras and motion sensors it is lightly patrolled (Kariam 2008). They attest that since the fence has been built they have seen more people crossing the border. They attest that they would not mind the border being there if it actually did what it was meant to do (Kariam 2008). Those people believe that the fence has not stopped border crossers it has just kept people from crossing in other areas (Kariam 2008). The fence has not stopped people from crossing illegally it has just made them cross at different places.
The San Pedro River at the border provides a habitat to a wide variety of small animals. It also serves as a watering hole for bigger animals (Kariam 2008). Because of these reasons the United States made the San Pedro River a national conservation area. The conservation area is 57,000 acres big (Kariam 2008). The fence that was built at the border cut through the conservation area and is threatening the ecosystem. This was said about the fence “it’s between 14 and 18 feet tall; it goes on for miles; it’s not something they can jump over or circumvent. It might not be very effective at stopping people but its stopping wildlife in their tracks” (Kariam 2008). Because the fence is being built through the habitat of these animals people fear that it could cause great turmoil on the environment.
The fence is having a great effect on tax payers and the environment surrounding it. The U.S. government should find a more effective way to stop illegal immigration that won’t hurt the environment and will not hurt tax payers’ wallets.
Sources:
Karaim, Reed. "CQ Researcher." Americas Border Fence 6 May 2008: 746-767.
The fence at the border is not only costly right now but the cost will continue to rise because of the elements and people crossing the border. It is estimated that at the moment it costs four million dollars per mile for pedestrian fencing (Kariam 2008). It is also estimated that the cost for vehicle fencing is two million dollars per mile (Kariam 2008). It is predicted that in 25 years the upkeep of the fence will cost 16.4 million dollars to 70 million dollars per mile depending on the damage (Kariam 2008). The fence is costing and will cost tax payers a substantial amount of money.
People that live on the U.S. Mexico border attest that the border is ineffective. They say that even though that the border has cameras and motion sensors it is lightly patrolled (Kariam 2008). They attest that since the fence has been built they have seen more people crossing the border. They attest that they would not mind the border being there if it actually did what it was meant to do (Kariam 2008). Those people believe that the fence has not stopped border crossers it has just kept people from crossing in other areas (Kariam 2008). The fence has not stopped people from crossing illegally it has just made them cross at different places.
The San Pedro River at the border provides a habitat to a wide variety of small animals. It also serves as a watering hole for bigger animals (Kariam 2008). Because of these reasons the United States made the San Pedro River a national conservation area. The conservation area is 57,000 acres big (Kariam 2008). The fence that was built at the border cut through the conservation area and is threatening the ecosystem. This was said about the fence “it’s between 14 and 18 feet tall; it goes on for miles; it’s not something they can jump over or circumvent. It might not be very effective at stopping people but its stopping wildlife in their tracks” (Kariam 2008). Because the fence is being built through the habitat of these animals people fear that it could cause great turmoil on the environment.
The fence is having a great effect on tax payers and the environment surrounding it. The U.S. government should find a more effective way to stop illegal immigration that won’t hurt the environment and will not hurt tax payers’ wallets.
Sources:
Karaim, Reed. "CQ Researcher." Americas Border Fence 6 May 2008: 746-767.
Tuesday, December 2, 2008
Annotated Bibliographies
1. Karaim, Reed. "CQ Researcher." Americas Border Fence 6 May 2008: 746-767.
This article talks about the fence that is being built at the border. It tells you how the fence is hurting the wildlife around the fence. It also gives you facts about how much the fence is costing and how much it will cost to up-keep it.
This source is reliable because it is not biased. It seemed like the author researched the topic thoroughly. This source is useful to find out more information about the fence that is being built.
In the end this source helped me a lot. It helped me find out what kind of fence was being built at the border and how much it was going to cost. It also helped me find out what some people that lived at the border thought about the fence.
2. Archibold, Randal C. "Mexico & the U.S.: What Kind of Border." The New York Times Upfront 1 Dec. 2008: 6-7.
This article talks about Friendship Park at Imperial Beach, California. I talks about how people go to this park to talk to their love ones that are on the other side of the border. It also talks about the impact that 9/11 had on immigration.
This source is reliable because it was published in a magazine that is owned by the New York Times. It shows you the lengths that people are willing to go in order to see people that in a different country. For example one man travels three hours to Friendship Park to see his wife that is in Mexico.
This source helped me understand what hopes people had for immigration before 9/11. It also showed me of a place where people can go to see their relatives if they are in Mexico.
3. "Are Illegal Immigrants Good For the U.S. Economy." The New York Times Upfront.
This article debates about illegal immigrants being good for the economy. It gives you both sides from two different people. They back up their arguments with a lot of facts.
This source is reliable because both of the debaters are from websites that specialize in immigration. One of the debaters is from immigrationpolicy.org and the other debater is from cis.org. This source gives you information like how much money illegal immigrants contribute in to the economy.
This article helped me a lot with my topic. It showed me what both sides think about the contribution illegal immigrants make to the economy. It also taught me some facts that I did not know.
4. Wagner, P.F. The Dark Side Of Illegal Immigration: Facts, Figures and Data Show A Disturbing Truth. 9 Oct. 2008
This website gives you facts about diseases and various other things about illegal immigrants. This website only gives you the bad side of illegal immigration. This site is easy to navigate if you want to find information about a certain topic about immigration.
This source was a very biased against illegal immigration. It only gives you the statistics that make illegal immigrants look bad. The author made this website to inform Americans about the harm that illegal immigrants cause to this country.
I have only used this website once but would not use it again. I would not use it again because of some of the things that are said in this website against illegal immigrant. This is a good website if you want to know what crimes are committed by illegal immigrants.
5. "U.S. Permanent Resident Application Overview." US Citizenship & Services Help Center. 9 Oct. 2008.
This websites teaches people the steps to becoming permanent residents. It gives you step by step instructions. It also allows you to download the forms needed to become a permanent resident.
This website is not biased towards anything. It is a reliable source because it is operated by the government. It is a great source to find out the steps to becoming a permanent resident.
When I looked at this source it helped me get a further understanding on how illegal immigrants became permanent residents.
6. Katel, Peter. "Illegal Immigration." CQ Researcher (2005): 393-420.
This article talks about everything about illegal immigration. It gives you a lot of facts and statistics about illegal immigration.
This source is reliable because it is not biased. It also has other articles that answer questions like if illegal immigrants are good for the economy.
This source really helped me a lot in my blog. It gave me a lot of statistics and facts about illegal immigration.
This article talks about the fence that is being built at the border. It tells you how the fence is hurting the wildlife around the fence. It also gives you facts about how much the fence is costing and how much it will cost to up-keep it.
This source is reliable because it is not biased. It seemed like the author researched the topic thoroughly. This source is useful to find out more information about the fence that is being built.
In the end this source helped me a lot. It helped me find out what kind of fence was being built at the border and how much it was going to cost. It also helped me find out what some people that lived at the border thought about the fence.
2. Archibold, Randal C. "Mexico & the U.S.: What Kind of Border." The New York Times Upfront 1 Dec. 2008: 6-7.
This article talks about Friendship Park at Imperial Beach, California. I talks about how people go to this park to talk to their love ones that are on the other side of the border. It also talks about the impact that 9/11 had on immigration.
This source is reliable because it was published in a magazine that is owned by the New York Times. It shows you the lengths that people are willing to go in order to see people that in a different country. For example one man travels three hours to Friendship Park to see his wife that is in Mexico.
This source helped me understand what hopes people had for immigration before 9/11. It also showed me of a place where people can go to see their relatives if they are in Mexico.
3. "Are Illegal Immigrants Good For the U.S. Economy." The New York Times Upfront.
This article debates about illegal immigrants being good for the economy. It gives you both sides from two different people. They back up their arguments with a lot of facts.
This source is reliable because both of the debaters are from websites that specialize in immigration. One of the debaters is from immigrationpolicy.org and the other debater is from cis.org. This source gives you information like how much money illegal immigrants contribute in to the economy.
This article helped me a lot with my topic. It showed me what both sides think about the contribution illegal immigrants make to the economy. It also taught me some facts that I did not know.
4. Wagner, P.F. The Dark Side Of Illegal Immigration: Facts, Figures and Data Show A Disturbing Truth. 9 Oct. 2008
This website gives you facts about diseases and various other things about illegal immigrants. This website only gives you the bad side of illegal immigration. This site is easy to navigate if you want to find information about a certain topic about immigration.
This source was a very biased against illegal immigration. It only gives you the statistics that make illegal immigrants look bad. The author made this website to inform Americans about the harm that illegal immigrants cause to this country.
I have only used this website once but would not use it again. I would not use it again because of some of the things that are said in this website against illegal immigrant. This is a good website if you want to know what crimes are committed by illegal immigrants.
5. "U.S. Permanent Resident Application Overview." US Citizenship & Services Help Center. 9 Oct. 2008.
This websites teaches people the steps to becoming permanent residents. It gives you step by step instructions. It also allows you to download the forms needed to become a permanent resident.
This website is not biased towards anything. It is a reliable source because it is operated by the government. It is a great source to find out the steps to becoming a permanent resident.
When I looked at this source it helped me get a further understanding on how illegal immigrants became permanent residents.
6. Katel, Peter. "Illegal Immigration." CQ Researcher (2005): 393-420.
This article talks about everything about illegal immigration. It gives you a lot of facts and statistics about illegal immigration.
This source is reliable because it is not biased. It also has other articles that answer questions like if illegal immigrants are good for the economy.
This source really helped me a lot in my blog. It gave me a lot of statistics and facts about illegal immigration.
Thursday, November 20, 2008
Letter To Barrack Obama
November 20, 2008
Dear Barrack Obama:
As you have said countless times, change is what America needs. One of the changes that America desperately needs is its immigration system. That is why I propose that in order to fix the immigration problem you must first fix the immigration system. What I mean by fixing the immigration system is making it so some groups of immigrants have a better chance to become legal citizens. For example, I can attest that families that have paid their taxes, have not broken any laws, and have been good citizens only have a 5% chance of becoming legal citizens. Don't get me wrong I'm not proposing that the system be so lenient that anybody can obtain legal status. I’m proposing that only the people that constitute the group of good immigrants be allowed to obtain legal status.
If the group of good immigrants were to get legal status with the new system than it would show future immigrants that if they play by the rules than they too can become legal citizens and obtain the better life that they desire. This is the change America needs.
Sincerely,
Daniel
Friday, November 14, 2008
Statistics
(businessweek.com)
In these statistics that I found from an article in 2004 at businessweek.com it shows a lot of information about illegal immigrants. One of the graphs shows what percentage of all immigrants in the United States are illegal. Another graph shows what the difference is between the income of a family that is illegal, a family that is legal, and a family that is native born. These statistics are related to my topic because they show where most immigrants come from and in what field of work do most illegal immigrants work in.
While looking at this data something that surprised me was that the percentage of legal permanent residents is the same as the percentage of illegal immigrants. In my mind I would have thought that the percentage of illegal immigrants would be higher.
Monday, November 10, 2008
Article
As I was looking for an article I came upon an article in Upfront magazine. The article was named “Mexico & the U.S.: What kind of border?” This article briefly talks about the impact of 9/11 on immigration and about a fence in Imperial Beach, California which allows people on both sides of the fence to see and talk to each other.
This article states that at Imperial Beach, California there is a park that allows people on the Mexico side of the border fence and people on the U.S. side of the border fence to talk and see each other. One of those people is Manuel Meza who travels three hours to the fence to see his wife who is in Mexico because of immigration troubles. He attests that when he is there he shares lunch with her and that even though they are both in different countries their love has grown stronger. Many people like Manuel travel Friendship Park to see and talk to love ones that are on the other side of the fence.
Before 9/11 Americans and Mexicans had high hopes for the immigration situation because George Bush was elected president. This was because he was in favor of the guest worker program that would have allowed Mexicans to come and work in the United States legally. After 9/11 the United States chose to enhance the security along the border by passing a bill that would add 700 mile of fence to the border.
This article show people how families are torn apart by the fence at the border. This article showed me that there is a place where people can see each other even though they are on opposite sides of the border.
Source:
Archibold, Randal C. "Mexico & the U.S.: What Kind of Border." The New York Times Upfront 1 Dec. 2008: 6-7.
This article states that at Imperial Beach, California there is a park that allows people on the Mexico side of the border fence and people on the U.S. side of the border fence to talk and see each other. One of those people is Manuel Meza who travels three hours to the fence to see his wife who is in Mexico because of immigration troubles. He attests that when he is there he shares lunch with her and that even though they are both in different countries their love has grown stronger. Many people like Manuel travel Friendship Park to see and talk to love ones that are on the other side of the fence.
Before 9/11 Americans and Mexicans had high hopes for the immigration situation because George Bush was elected president. This was because he was in favor of the guest worker program that would have allowed Mexicans to come and work in the United States legally. After 9/11 the United States chose to enhance the security along the border by passing a bill that would add 700 mile of fence to the border.
This article show people how families are torn apart by the fence at the border. This article showed me that there is a place where people can see each other even though they are on opposite sides of the border.
Source:
Archibold, Randal C. "Mexico & the U.S.: What Kind of Border." The New York Times Upfront 1 Dec. 2008: 6-7.
A Day Without A Mexican
A Day Without a Mexican is a movie about how the state of California would be affected in a hypothetical situation if every Latino in the state disappeared. The movie was directed by Sergio Auro who has also directed movies such as Harvest of Empire and Plan B. The movie stars actors John Getz and Maureen Flannigan. This movie won best screenplay at the Cartagena Film Festival in 2004. This movie is a comedy but lacks jokes.
In my opinion A Day Without a Mexican is a movie that people should watch if they would like to know how the agricultural industry would be affected if there were no illegal immigrants. This movie also gives you some facts about illegal immigration that people may not have known.
What happens in the movie is one day all the Latinos suddenly disappear except for one. Then the state of California goes into turmoil because there is nobody to work in the agricultural business and that means that the people that are left can not get any fresh produce. So then people want the Latinos back and they start experimenting on the only Latino left to try to see where they went and to get them to come back. to know the rest you should watch it.
Source:
"A Day Without a Mexican." Wikipedia. 25 Nov. 2008.
In my opinion A Day Without a Mexican is a movie that people should watch if they would like to know how the agricultural industry would be affected if there were no illegal immigrants. This movie also gives you some facts about illegal immigration that people may not have known.
What happens in the movie is one day all the Latinos suddenly disappear except for one. Then the state of California goes into turmoil because there is nobody to work in the agricultural business and that means that the people that are left can not get any fresh produce. So then people want the Latinos back and they start experimenting on the only Latino left to try to see where they went and to get them to come back. to know the rest you should watch it.
Source:
"A Day Without a Mexican." Wikipedia. 25 Nov. 2008
Debate
When it comes to immigration there are to sides to it, there are the people that oppose it and the people that agree with it. When asked if illegal immigrants are good for the U.S. economy Walter Ewing of Immigrationpolicy.org is agrees and Mark Krikorian of Cis.org does not.
Walter Ewing attests that illegal immigrants account for 5 percent of the United States total labor force and that immigrants pay taxes to help fund social security and Medicare even though they are not eligible for these programs. He also states that illegal immigrants constitute $18 billion in the Texas economy and that if the United States were to grant them legal status their contribution to the economy would be grater because they would be able to get better jobs which means they will earn more money (Ewing, 2008)
Mark Krikorian states that illegal immigrants are bad for the economy. This is because they pay little taxes. He says that illegal immigrants pay little taxes because they a little amount of money. He also states that because most illegal immigrants are high school dropouts they cannot support their families so they go on welfare. (Krikorian, 2008)
Walter Ewing and Mark Krikorian present valid arguments. Walter Ewing says that they are good for the economy because they pay their taxes and help fund governments services. Mark Krikorian says they are bad because the pay only a little amount of taxes and they force low skilled Americans out of their jobs.
Source:"Are Illegal Immigrants Good For the U.S. Economy." The New York Times Upfront.
Walter Ewing attests that illegal immigrants account for 5 percent of the United States total labor force and that immigrants pay taxes to help fund social security and Medicare even though they are not eligible for these programs. He also states that illegal immigrants constitute $18 billion in the Texas economy and that if the United States were to grant them legal status their contribution to the economy would be grater because they would be able to get better jobs which means they will earn more money (Ewing, 2008)
Mark Krikorian states that illegal immigrants are bad for the economy. This is because they pay little taxes. He says that illegal immigrants pay little taxes because they a little amount of money. He also states that because most illegal immigrants are high school dropouts they cannot support their families so they go on welfare. (Krikorian, 2008)
Walter Ewing and Mark Krikorian present valid arguments. Walter Ewing says that they are good for the economy because they pay their taxes and help fund governments services. Mark Krikorian says they are bad because the pay only a little amount of taxes and they force low skilled Americans out of their jobs.
Source:"Are Illegal Immigrants Good For the U.S. Economy." The New York Times Upfront.
Thursday, October 23, 2008
Reflection
When I was choosing topics I wanted to do something that I knew a little about and something that I was interested in that is why I chose illegal immigration. What I wanted to find out while doing my research was how the other Americans felt about illegal immigration and why they did not want any illegal immigrants. What I found was a website that somewhat answered those questions but the website made it seem that all of America’s problems were because of illegal immigrants. In the second quarter I hope to find a website that tell me how Americans feel about illegal immigration without it being so bias against illegal immigrants. I also want to find some statistics and articles that show how illegal immigrants are good for this country. For example how do illegal immigrants impact the economy? Even though I already knew about illegal immigration I feel that I have learned a lot more by starting this blog. For example before I did not know about Quota Act (the way they chose how many people of a certain country can gain permanent residency). For the second quarter I want to find more information that I do not know about immigration.
Friday, October 10, 2008
Research
In this country anybody that is illegal is seen as a bad person. What they do not know are the facts of why they choose to come into this country illegally. If they knew the facts maybe their minds could be changed. Illegal immigrants come to this country illegally to have a better life, and because the path to become a permanent resident is extremely difficult without the resources need and not to spread diseases.
Illegal immigrants come to this country to give themselves and their children a better life than what they had before. For example a couple by the name of Maria and Juan lived in Mexico working in the fields all day, they mostly ate tortillas and beans (Katel 395). When they ventured to come to the United States Juan started to work as a landscaper and charges $600 for big jobs and Maria cleans houses for $70 (Katel 395). Those prices sound very expensive at a glance for the services they provide, but they are actually barging basement prices (Katel 395). This does not sound like a better life to most people but compared to their previous life in Mexico it is a big improvement.
The path to being a legal permanent resident of the United States is a long and difficult process. First a relative of the person wanting to be a permanent resident must file a file an immigrant visa petition and it must be approved by a US government official (US Citizenship & Services Help Center). Second the Department of State must determine if there is a visa number available to the relative, if there is the relative can apply for a visa (US Citizenship & Services Help Center). Third if a relative is in the United States they can apply to change their status to legal permanent resident when a visa numbers is available (US Citizenship & Services Help Center). If an immigrant does not have a relative in the United States that can help them this process is extremely difficult to persevere.
Some people think that some of the most dangerous diseases are spread by illegal immigrants that come from countries where these diseases have infected a high number of people. For example according to usillegalaliens.com the number of infected Latino women infected with HIV in California is twice the rate of white women. What they do not tell you is that HIV is not only spread by illegal immigrants, it is spread by everyone it does not matter whether you’re the person is legal or illegal. Another example is Tuberculosis, according to usillegalaliens.com people infected with Tuberculosis in the United States were infected by illegal immigrants from countries like Mexico, Cambodia, and Indonesia because those countries have a high number of people infected with Tuberculosis.
Illegal Immigrants are not bad people. To most people they seem like bad people because they choose to enter this country illegally. People do not see the reasons why immigrants choose to enter this country illegally.
Sources:
Katel, Peter. "Illegal Immigration." CQ Researcher (2005): 393-420.
"U.S. Permanent Resident Application Overview." US Citizenship & Services Help Center. 9 Oct. 2008
Wagner, P.F. The Dark Side Of Illegal Immigration: Facts, Figures and Data Show A Disturbing Truth. 9 Oct. 2008
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