Preview

Roberto Rodriguez's Essay 'The Border On Our Backs'

Powerful Essays
Open Document
Open Document
1606 Words
Grammar
Grammar
Plagiarism
Plagiarism
Writing
Writing
Score
Score
Roberto Rodriguez's Essay 'The Border On Our Backs'
Will Combs
English 101
Scott McClanahan
04/17/2012
Real facts of immigration
The effects that immigration has on the United States are limitless. There have been endless debates over these effects since as early as the colonial times. The economic, fiscal and demographic effects are three major topics that tend to rule these debates. Regardless on someone’s political view of immigration, everyone should realize how it has and is shaping the United States today. Based on both positive and negative essays on immigration by Roberto Rodriguez and Star Parker, one can conclude that immigration is good, but should be limited.
The economic, fiscal and demographic effects are three major topics that tend to rule the debates on immigration and its laws. Rodriguez points out in his essay “The border on our backs” that Mexicans and Central Americans are targeted by shameless politicians. These politicians target groups based on statistics that show crime rates, productivity and gain. Parker states in her essay “Se habla entitlement” that latino immigrants are responsible for most of the gang activity, but fails to say whether it is positive or negative activities.
The most prominent …show more content…
Probably thousands of people are being murdered, raped and forced into prostitution and slavery in their attempt at getting into the United States. Since 1993, the amount of money spent each year by the federal government for border enforcement has more than quintupled according to the U.S customs and border patrol fiscal report of 2010 from $740 million to $3.8 billion most of which is being spent on the Mexican border. Think of what our country could do for immigrants with $3.8 billion dollars. If we took all the money that we are wasting on increasing our Mexican border patrol and instead turned that helping people who have immigrated get a good education think of the difference that it could
Continue Reading
View Writing Issues

You May Also Find These Documents Helpful

  • Better Essays

    Com/220 Final Project
    • 1950 Words
    • 8 Pages

    Com/220 Final Project

    For centuries, the United States has welcomed immigrants from various countries and have become home to them. In the 1800s, immigrants were even essential for the building of the steam engine and railroad tracks (Schaefer, 2013). As time passed immigration has increased and laws regulating immigration have not been enforced causing over population of unskilled immigrants. While unregulated immigration has its benefits, which help organizations, like social security it does not negate the fact that they are straining resources and the economy.…

    • 1950 Words
    • 8 Pages
    Better Essays
    Read More
  • Satisfactory Essays

    Immigration Nationalism Act Of 1965
    • 73 Words
    • 1 Page

    Immigration Nationalism Act Of 1965

    In the near future, our foreign-born population will be larger than ever before. Politicians will focus on immigrants more than they do right now. Other politicians and/or government officials might try to limit immigration like they did before The Immigration Nationality Act of 1965. History could repeat itself if another president (or government official) creates another version of Johnson’s Immigration and Nationality Act. Immigration will have an extensive impact on The United…

    • 73 Words
    • 1 Page
    Satisfactory Essays
    Read More
  • Better Essays

    David Cole Five Myths About Immigration
    • 1455 Words
    • 6 Pages

    David Cole Five Myths About Immigration

    For its entire history, America has dealt with the influx of immigrants from all over the world. David Cole, a professor at Georgetown University Law Center and volunteer staff attorney for the Center for Constitutional Rights, proves that immigration is more beneficial than some Americans believe it to be. In Cole’s essay titled, “Five Myths about Immigration,” he debunks the common stereotypes about immigrants and embraces the facts. These common stereotypes about immigrants are often fueled by ignorance and misinformation and can cause real-world harm to immigrants. According to Cole’s essay, “Passion, misinformation, and shortsighted fear often substitute for reason, fairness, and human dignity in today’s immigration debates” (558). Politicians…

    • 1455 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Better Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    SOC120: Introduction To Ethics And Social Responsibility
    • 756 Words
    • 4 Pages

    SOC120: Introduction To Ethics And Social Responsibility

    Specifically, he maintains that the Immigration Act of 1965 has triggered a mass immigration consisting of migrants that are significantly different in ethnic origin from the resident population and that this migration is causing a radical change in the demographic composition of the population which will lead to a breakdown in the ties that bind the nation together. Furthermore, he suggests that this migration policy, which is designed to be free of any trace of racism or xenophobia, is not only creating an alien nation, but is doing so despite the wishes of the majority of the current resident population. The author also makes the case that immigration is, and always has been, of much less importance to American economic growth than is conventionally assumed.” (Brim low P 1995)…

    • 756 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Immigration Between 1880 And 1925
    • 439 Words
    • 2 Pages

    Immigration Between 1880 And 1925

    The United States has become known as a melting pot of many different cultures through immigration, but immigration has not always been looked upon in a lighthearted manner.In fact, during the years between 1880 and 1925, immigration created tensions and was frowned upon for multiple reasons. These included large influxes of immigrants getting opportunities before native born people could, the possibility of the government being spied on by people from axis powers. However, to every negative impact there is a positive, and although many people were opposed to massive immigration, others supported temporary immigration for several reasons.…

    • 439 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Comparable Beliefs About Immigration
    • 589 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Comparable Beliefs About Immigration

    First, my mom and I have a belief that immigration has a positive effect on the United States economy. Immigration has a positive effect on the economy, and some reasons are because they are risk takers, entrepreneurs, and industry boosters. Immigrants are risk takers that come to a country in where they do not know the language or culture, but their gamble pays off as economically the need for produce grows. For my mom immigration also has a positive result as many immigrants become entrepreneurs, and create businesses that create jobs. The economy grows as industries know new immigrants need to start from zero, and need to buy industrial products to…

    • 589 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    etyyehe4
    • 735 Words
    • 3 Pages

    etyyehe4

    Illegal immigrants in the United States (US) have long been a topic of debate for policymakers and the public. The rationale about them is that they do not pay taxes; they add to the costs of taxpayers and use up funds in resources meant for assisting citizens and legal immigrants (the legal citizens). Therefore, they are perceived as a threat to the US economy. The true impacts of illegal immigrants on the US economy are discussed by debating over the economic benefits as well as economic costs of these immigrants. The negative impacts, discussed first, presented the decreases in low skilled jobs’ wage rates for legal immigrants and citizens instigated by illegal immigrants, the social services such as educations and healthcare that they utilize and add to taxpayers. Then contrary to the negative impacts, the positive impacts reveal benefits of low production costs, increases in the local market sales, undocumented tax generation, impact on growth and employment brought forth by illegal immigrants. These impacts, both negative and positive, are independently analyzed and weighed against each other. The discussion does show a slight net positive impact on the US economy in contrast to the normal belief about illegal immigrants.…

    • 735 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Causes Of Race And Migration
    • 293 Words
    • 2 Pages

    Causes Of Race And Migration

    Race and migration intersect in the public discourse for many reasons, especially in the case for Latinos. One primary reason being that race is a visual difference that can easily be seen, and also because these people are migrating foreigners. More specifically, these visible differences often lead to social tensions and other political issues. For example, there exists a type of Latino threat in american society due to the large, and continually growing presence of the Latino population. Alongside these growing numbers, the population’s refusal to fully assimilate to American society also tends to pose a threat to Anglo Americans (Chavez, 2013, p. 37). Such fear is usually based on the idea that undocumented people would abuse public resources,…

    • 293 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Powerful Essays

    Xenophobia In Latin America
    • 1599 Words
    • 7 Pages

    Xenophobia In Latin America

    The illegality that is tied to this population is also related to the physical border that separated the United States and Mexico. It has become a symbol of a growing high risk. The presence of Latin American communities is now more then ever visible within the United States, especially in cities like Miami, Los Angeles, Chicago, and New York City. Some of the largest communities are those of Cubans, Dominicans, Puerto Ricans and Mexicans. Given this demographic phenomenon, conservative groups in the United States have expressed concern, saying that these new migrants who are subsequently combined into a category that encompasses legal and non-legal Latinos are occupying jobs, using public services without paying taxes and collaborating to the rising crime. The authors have all elaborated in their works that the American historical conception has created Mexicans and Latin American migration as one related to invasion and one of violation which has in turn helped in the creation of institutionalized laws and programs that prohibited this invasion. The rhetoric about Latino immigration took hold when President Ronald Reagan framed the immigration issue within the national security issue by stating that the US had lost control of the border. The terrorist attacks of September 11,2001 confirmed the alleged connection between migration, terrorism and national security. Thus the Mexican border has become the new battleground in the fight against terrorism. Leo R. Chavez put this all in perspective in Chapter Six of The Latino Threat as he analyzes the Minutemen and their agenda of protecting the US – Mexico border from foreign invasion.The Latino threat narrative in conjunction with the Mexican border has been regarded as a social arena where violence reigns,…

    • 1599 Words
    • 7 Pages
    Powerful Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Chinese Immigration Research Paper
    • 764 Words
    • 4 Pages

    Chinese Immigration Research Paper

    Immigration to North American nations has been a staple process for countries like the United States and Canada. Without immigrants, these two nations would not have become as large and successful as they are today. However, easy and encouraged immigration has not always been a constant for these two countries. Throughout the centuries, there have been issues and disputes over immigration for particular ethnicities and groups of people which continue even to this day. One example being the current dispute on Mexican immigrants residing or entering the United States and whether it requires heavier government intervention. Within this situation, Mexican immigrants, both legal and illegal, face legislation,…

    • 764 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Powerful Essays

    Immigration Law: Illegal Immigration Into The United States
    • 2141 Words
    • 9 Pages

    Immigration Law: Illegal Immigration Into The United States

    Illegal immigration can take both the positive and negative dimension in terms of its consequences. From the discussion, the negative effects surpass the positive effects of illegal immigration present in the United States. The sole purpose of this paper has been to provide information about the impact of illegal immigration on American society and to offer solutions to face this growing problem. Not only are there economic effects, but the American people also experience a social effect that is changing the face of this country.…

    • 2141 Words
    • 9 Pages
    Powerful Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Essay On Open Border
    • 816 Words
    • 4 Pages

    Essay On Open Border

    Immigrants are found everywhere in the United States of America. Out of the 318.9 million people in the United States, about 80 million people are either a first generation or second generation immigrant residing in this country. Many immigrants enter into this country in search of a better future for themselves, their parents, and the future generations of their family. Even though immigrants come to the United States for a positive reason, 1.8 million refugees fled their countries in search of a more safe life. The United States should actively promote a more open border to allow both refugees and immigrants to enter. An open border is a border that allows people to freely move from country to country with any limitations such as the checking of passports and personal belongings. Only 43 of the 193 countries in the world have an open border, which is a little over twenty percent of the world.…

    • 816 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Satisfactory Essays

    Illegal Immigrants In The United States: An Analysis
    • 80 Words
    • 1 Page

    Illegal Immigrants In The United States: An Analysis

    This essay discusses various issues belonging to illegal immigration in the Unites States, focusing on the consequences of the unauthorized immigrants on the US economy. The analysis also considers the impact of illegal immigration on jobs and salaries in the labor market. As well as, the taxes paid and the costs imposed on the illegal immigrants through the use of the public services. This essay proves that illegal immigration has a positive contribution to the economy of the United States.…

    • 80 Words
    • 1 Page
    Satisfactory Essays
    Read More
  • Powerful Essays

    Illegal Immigrants
    • 1189 Words
    • 5 Pages

    Illegal Immigrants

    With the rise of illegal immigrants, the United States has had difficulties solving the issue for a long time. Hence, there’re many factors for the causes and solutions from different branches and the government. “Amnesty?” and “Why blame Mexico?” are two articles that discuss the reasons for millions of Mexicans risking their lives to come illegally to the U.S. and indeed illustrate the writer’s perspectives and ideas for those people.…

    • 1189 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Powerful Essays
    Read More
  • Better Essays

    US Immigration Policy Reform The United
    • 1228 Words
    • 3 Pages

    US Immigration Policy Reform The United

    The United States is well- known for its greatly diverse population, and the nation is receiving continuous influx of immigrants year by year. As a result, American economy and even its culture have been deeply influenced by increasing alien population over time. The United States has become an empire with the dominant economy in the past few decades. Although it is undeniable that the U.S’s competitive society and low-cost undocumented labors are the most important factors of the impressive national economic progress, the illegal immigrants have caused different kinds of inconvenience to the nation. The increasing demand of social benefits cannot be fulfilled by limited government budget; public services are undergoing overuse due to the growing population. Therefore, it is significant to improve the U.S. immigration policies by restricting the illegal immigrants’ benefits and legalizing more undocumented workers in order to reduce the national burden.…

    • 1228 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Better Essays
    Read More

Related Topics