From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Immigration reform
Immigration reform
Immigration reform is a term used in political discussion mittee to adapt the number of visas available to changing
regarding changes to current immigration policy of a economic times, (5) an ’amnesty’ type of program to le-
country. In its strict definition, "reform " means to galize undocumented immigrants, and (6) programs to
change into an improved form or condition, by amending help immigrants adjust to life in the United States. [7]
or removing faults or abuses.[1] In the political sense, im- A 2010 academic study has shown that when immi-
migration reform may include promoted, expanded, or gration issues receive national media attention, estab-
open immigration, as well as reduced or eliminated im- lished residents living in places that have seen influx of
migration. new immigrants suddenly become much more politicized
against immigration. This suggests that it is not the in-
Immigration reform in the flux of new residents or new proximity to established
residents that stir anti-immigrant sentiments; rather, re-
United States sentment is spurred by the heated and prominent nature
of the debate itself. The study, done by Georgetown
Main article: History of laws concerning immigration and
University and published in the American Political Science
naturalization in the United States
Review, “Politicized Places: Explaining Where and When
This term is also widely used to describe proposals to in-
Immigrants Provoke Local Opposition,” examined more
crease legal immigration while decreasing illegal immi-
than twelve different surveys relating to immigration
gration, such as the guest worker proposal supported by
and local anti-immigration ordinances, spanning the
George W. Bush. Illegal immigration is a controversial is-
years 1992 to 2009. During a period of high national at-
sue in the United States. Proponents of greater immigra-
tention to immigration, anti-immigration attitudes
tion enforcement argue that illegal immigrants cost tax-
among established residents in fast-changing counties
payers an estimated $338.3 billion dollars and jeopardize
increase by 9.9%. The study’s author states that ethnic
the safety of law enforcement officials and citizens, espe-
and racial surroundings appear to affect Americans’ po-
cially along the Mexican border.[2]
litical attitudes far less than previously thought: “Those
Former Mexican president, Vicente Fox, writes that
who live near larger proportions of immigrants do not
in 2001, President George W. Bush, and the leadership of
consistently exhibit more negative attitudes.” Rather,
both parties of Congress were about to pass significant
the author concludes, “day-to-day encounters can be
immigration reform legislation benefiting Mexican emi-
shaped by salient national issues.”[8]
gration to the U.S., but then the terrorists attacked.[3]
The Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986
Arizona SB 1070
made it illegal to hire or recruit illegal immigrants.
In 2006, the U.S House of Representatives passed the In 2009, services provided to illegal aliens, including in-
Border Protection, Anti-terrorism, and Illegal Immigra- carceration, cost the state of Arizona an estimated $2.7
tion Control Act of 2005, and in 2006 the U.S. Senate billion.[9]
passed the Comprehensive Immigration Reform Act of Citing Congress’ failure to enforce U.S. immigration
2006. Neither bill became law because their differences laws, the state of Arizona confronted reform and on
could not be reconciled in conference committee.[4] The April, 23, 2010 Republican Governor Jan Brewer signed
legislative negotiations and national activism behind im- the Support Our Law Enforcement and Safe Neighbor-
migration reform from 2001-2007 is the subject of 12-part hoods Act (Arizona SB 1070), the broadest and strictest
documentary film series How Democracy Works Now. immigration reform imposed in the United States.[10]
In 2009 the immigration reform became a hot topic, The SB1070 Arizona immigration law directs law en-
since the Barack Obama administration recently signaled forcement officials to ask for immigration papers on a
interest in beginning a discussion on comprehensive im- "reasonable suspicion" that a person might be an illegal
migration reform before year’s end.[5][6] The proposed immigrant and make arrests for not carrying ID papers.
[11] Previously, police could not stop and check identifi-
comprehensive immigration reform plan had as its goal
bipartisan support and includes six sections designed to cation papers on a mere suspicion that someone might be
have "something for everyone." These six sections are: an illegal immigrant. Police could only ask about an in-
(1) to fix border enforcement, (2) “interior enforcement,” dividual’s immigration status if they are suspected of in-
such as preventing visa overstays, (3) preventing people volvement in another crime.[12]
from working without a work permit, (4) creating a com-
1
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Immigration reform
On July 6, 2010, the US Department of Justice filed suit • Illegal immigration
against Arizona. The intent of the suit is to prevent Ari- • Immigration to the United States
zona from enforcing the law and asks the court to find • Illegal immigration to the United States
certain sections of the legislation null and void.[13] The • Immigration reduction
United States Congress has left this issue untouched as • English-only movement
many feared such a vote could threaten their chances at • H1B visa
reelection . • National Alliance of Latin American and Caribbean
Being the first state to pass such legislation, Arizona Communities
has set a precedent for other states, but this legislation • Open immigration
has also caused Arizona to carry a large burden. Arizo- • March for America March 21, 2010, protest in
nans have faced boycotts and protests from their com- Washington, DC
mercial businesses to sporting events and concert.
Although the response has cost the state between $7 mil-
lion and $52 million, some in the state still feel that this
References
outcome will outweigh the initial cost.[14] [1] http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/
Due to conflict and protest, the week after she signed reform
SB 1070, Governor Brewer signed the Arizona legislature [2] Ilegal Immigration: How much does it cost? 2008
passed House Bill 2162 (HB 2162) amending text in the May 7. 30 November 2008.
original document. HB 2162 includes that race, color, and [3] Fox, Vicente. "Revolution of Hope: The Life, Faith,
national origin would not play a role in prosecution; in and Dreams of a Mexican President”, p. 230.
order to investigate an individual’s immigration status, [4] Fears, Darrylnfdn (2007-03-23). "Immigration
he or she must be “lawfully stopped, arrested or de- Reform Revisited". The Washington Post.
tained."[15] http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/
Opponents of the law say that it will ultimately cost content/article/2007/03/22/
the state “$26.4 billion in economic activity, $11.7 billion AR2007032201840.html. Retrieved 2008-02-23.
in gross state product and approximately 140,024 jobs” if [5] Condon, Stephanie (2009-06-19). "Obama Promises
all illegal immigrants are removed from the state. [16] Immigration Reform". CBS.
http://www.cbsnews.com/blogs/2009/06/19/
politics/politicalhotsheet/entry5097178.shtml.
Immigration reform in the Retrieved 2009-06-23.
United Kingdom [6] Barack, Obama. "President Obama’s campaign
issues on Immigration".
As of 2010, in the United Kingdom, there is some cross- http://www.barackobama.com/issues/
party support for immigration reform, largely under the immigration/index_campaign.php. Retrieved
auspices of the Strangers into Citizens campaign. 2009-06-25.
Although the Liberal Democrats are the only major party [7] Comprehensive Immigration Reform
to fully support reform, some Labour MPs (including for- ImmigrationAmerica.org
mer leadership candidate John McDonald [1]), the IPPR (a [8] "Politicized Places: When Immigrants Provoke
Labour-leaning think-tank) and Boris Johnson (the Con- Opposition". Journalist’s Resource.org.
servative Mayor of London) also support a selective http://journalistsresource.org/studies/
amnesty for illegal immigrants. Under the Liberal Demo- government/immigration/politicized-provoke-
crat proposal, this would involve regularisation for ille- opposition/.
gal immigrants who have lived in the country for at least [9] Barnes, Ed (2010-05-17). > "Cost of Illegal
ten years and who do not have a criminal record. Immigration Rising Rapidly in Arizona Study
It is argued that bringing many of these (estimates Finds". Fox News. http://www.foxnews.com/us/
varying widely from 300,000 to 800,000[17]) individuals 2010/05/17/immigration-costs-rising-rapidlty-
into the legal economy would allow police to concentrate new-study-says/>. Retrieved 2010-11-29.
resources on tackling people traffickers and criminals - [10] Archibold, Randel (2010-04-23). "Arizona Enacts
and would raise billions in tax revenue - whereas deport- Stringent Law on Immigration".
ing them would cost £4.7 billion and take 30 years.[17] http://www.azcentral.com/news/election/
This issue is still a matter of political debate today in the azelections/articles/2010/04/30/20100430arizona-
United Kingdom.[18][19] immigration-law-governor-signs-revised-bill.html.
Retrieved 2010-11-30.
See also [11] "Arizona’s SB-1070: the Battle for Immigrant’s
Rights" Making Contact, produced by National
• DREAM ACT
Radio Project. November 16, 2010.
2
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Immigration reform
[12] Randel Archibold, Arizona Enacts Stringent Law on 2010/05/17/immigration-costs-rising-rapidlty-
Immigration, 23 April 2010, 29 November 2010 new-study-says/>.
. 2007-07-16. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/
[13] Obama’s Key Promises, 29 November 2010 6899348.stm.
. unite in call for illegal immigration amnesty".
[14] Ed Barnes, Cost of Illegal Immigration Rising London: The Independent.
Rapidly in Arizona, Study Finds, 17 May 2010, 29 http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/
November 2010 . [19] Kelly, Charles "UK immigrant amnesty ‘worth
[15] Casey Newton and Ginger Rough, Arizona governor £3bn’ say LSE" Immigration Matters, 2009-06-16.
signs bill revising new immigration law, 1 May Retrieved on 2009-06-25.
2010, 20 November 2010 • Immigration Reforms: How a Broken System Breaks
.
[16] Ed Barnes, Cost of Illegal Immigration Rising
External links
Rapidly in Arizona, Study Finds, 17 May 2010, 29 • FAIR: Federation for American Immigration Reform
November 2010
• Immigration Reform News
Retrieved from "http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Immigration_reform&oldid=470721736"
Categories:
• Immigration law
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