The Negative Effects of Illegal Immigration in the U.S

Illegal immigration into the U.S., mostly from Mexico, is a growing problem and the source of much political, social and economic controversy. How to deal with illegal immigration is a divisive issue between Republicans, who largely favor stronger law enforcement and deportation of illegals, and Democrats, who tend to favor a path for illegals to amnesty and even eventual citizenship. President Obama in particular has been an advocate of the latter course. However, illegal immigration has hurt the country greatly, and to offer amnesty to those who have broken the law by coming here without permission would be unfair and send the wrong message.

Illegal immigration is a serious problem that is growing. The recession of the last few years slowed illegal immigration; however, this trend has reversed itself. The Washington bureau of Columbia Broadcasting, Inc. (CBS) reported, quoting a study by the Pew Institute, that “A release posted by experts by the center stated that approximately 11.7 million illegal immigrants were residing in the United States as of March 2012…an increase from the 11.5 million that lived in America in 2011, and the 11.3 million…in 2010” (CBS 2013). This is an alarming trend, and it should be noted that these are only the ones who have been detected and can therefore be counted. Unemployment in the U.S. remains stubbornly high; though down from its highs hovering near 10 percent, it is still, as reported by government sources, at a relatively high 7.3 percent (U.S. Department of Labor 2013). Illegal immigrants find employment in the U.S., taking those jobs away from citizens and driving up the unemployment rate.

Illegals are often drug couriers. The number of arrests of drug-carrying illegals crossing the border amounts to only a fraction of offenders; most, in fact, get through. This makes a strong argument for increased border security. Damien Cave, in his article for the New York Times, noted that many illegals carry drugs into the U.S. as a way to pay for passage: the only way to get across is to deal with gangs that sometimes push migrants to carry drugs as a way to pay for passage: “The only way to get across is to deal with gangs that sometimes push migrants to carry drugs” (Cave 2011). Thus, illegal immigration increases the flow of drugs into this country.

In addition, illegals increase the burden on social services without paying taxes to support those services. Most jobs illegals hold is undocumented, meaning that neither the worker nor his employer pay taxes. Yet, many illegals use social services such as food stamps, medical clinics, etc. Steven Camarota notes that “Thirteen years after welfare reform, the share of immigrant-headed households (legal and illegal) with a child (under age 18) using at least one welfare program continues to be very high” (Camarota 2011). This burden is not only unsustainable but unfair to taxpayers who must shoulder the burden of caring for those who have broken the law by coming to this country.

President Obama favors full amnesty for illegals, but that would be a very bad idea. Illegal immigrants, by definition, have broken the law. To grant blanket amnesty to those who have broken any law sends the message that the United States isn’t serious about its own laws. Illegal immigrants should be arrested and subjected to the full penalties prescribed by law. At the very least, they should be deported and subject to severe penalties should they return.

Works Cited

Camarota, Steven. “Welfare Use by Immigrant Households with Children.” cis.org. Center for Immigration Studies. Apr 2011. Web. 16 November 2013.

Cave, Damien. “Crossing Over, and Over.” www.nytimes.com. New York Times. 2 Oct 2011. Web. 16 Nov 2013.

Columbia Broadcasting, Inc. “Study: Number of Illegal Immigrants Living in U.S. Rises to 11.7 Million.” cbslocal.com. 25 Sept 2013. Web. 16 Nov 2013.

United States Department of Labor. “Labor Force Statistics from the Current Population Survey.” Bureau of Labor Statistics. 16 Nov 2013. Web. 16 Nov 2013.