argumentative essays about immigration

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32+ argumentative essays topics on immigration with prompts [+ essay outline], dr. wilson mn.

• August 1, 2022
• Essay Topics and Ideas , Nursing

There are a lot of immigration issues that people are passionate about. If you care about the immigration and want to make a difference, then you should consider writing an argumentative essay on one of these topics. Here are some ideas on Argumentative Essays Topics on Immigration to get you started:

What You'll Learn

Interesting Topics On Migration

• Different Perspectives on Immigration Reform Essay Prompt: Over the past few years, people have moved to the United States for various reasons. Some have moved to the United States to reunite with their families, work, or look for safety.
• Arguments on Why Immigration Should be Stopped Essay Prompt: Immigration can be defined as the movement of an individual from one’s country of origin to set up new and permanent residence in another country. Immigration has been a pertinent issue in most countries, especially the United States.
• Effects of Immigration Essay Prompt: Immigration is moving from one place to another in order to live and work in that place. The history of immigration dates back to thousands of years ago when the first Africans arrived in Egypt.
• How does racism impact the way we view Immigration? Essay Prompt: In recent years, views of immigration in the United States have shifted with many Americans perceiving immigrants as a source of national prosperity, rather than an eminent burden. (Interesting Topics on Migration)
• Immigration, Essay Prompt: Consider any issues such as how to deal with illegal immigrants, how to encourage new, productive immigrants, cost of illegal immigrants.

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Argumentative Essay Ideas On Immigration with Prompts

• What Role Should The State Of Texas Play In The Immigration Policy
• No One Is Safe.’ How Trump’s Immigration Policy Is Splitting Families Apart Essay Prompt: In the past, people who immigrated to the US illegally and had criminal records were some of the most targeted, but now the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) can pick up family members and separate them from their families.
• The economic impact of Immigration on the US economy Essay Prompt: Immigration has a significant impact on the United States economy. Immigration has enhanced economic development and has small to no effects on employment and wages for native-born workers.
• Describe Immigration Laws And Potential Illegal Immigrants
• Essay Prompt: You explore your position on the topic of immigration laws. Select an immigration law for this Discussion and consider whether or not that law is justifiable.
• The bad impact of Immigration on the U.S. economy. Essay Essay Prompt: Immigration is a hotly debated topic in the United States, especially in political circles. Over the years, millions of people have immigrated to the United States from all parts of the world and it has become a melting pot of cultures. (Interesting Topics on Migration)
• Impact of Immigration on American Cities Essay Prompt: The issue of immigration is a sensitive national topic in the United States. The topic’s sensitivity is fueled by several misconceptions about immigration and its impact on the United States. (Argumentative Essay Ideas On Immigration)
• Research Assignment on Enforcement of Immigration Laws Essay Prompt: Explain at least one challenge related to enforcing the laws at the state level. Provide an insight you had about the effectiveness of enforcement of laws. A Research Project On Migration.

Further read on Creative Synthesis Essay Topics & Ideas in 2022

If you care about immigration and want to make a difference, then you should consider writing an argumentative essay on one of these topics . Here are some ideas on Argumentative Essays Topics on Immigration to get you started:

Immigration Research Paper Topics

• Immigration is Good to America: Immigration Makes Americans Less Isolated Globally Essay Prompt: Incorporate analysis of the reading and somebody’s personal experience to make a clear and precise argumentative essay on immigration.
• Republican Party Restrictions on Immigration Law Essay Essay Prompt: The US president Donald Trump is from the Republican Party with the decision made following the policies of the party. Republican Party has a strong stand on restrictions on immigrants which have caused unrest to blacks and minority groups in the US.
• Discuss one specific issue position from either the Democratic or Republican parties’ platforms, indicating whether you agree or disagree.
• Why The United States Should Adopt An Open Immigration Policy Essay Prompt: Two Viewpoints explaining why Immigration Must Be Restricted to Protect American Americans Against Terrorists and why the United States Should Adopt an Open Immigration Policy.
• Liberal Critique And Reform Of Immigration Policy Essay Prompt: Immigration reforms have remained fundamental similar to civil rights and desegregation throughout the history of the united states (US). In the past centuries, immigration reforms have been greatly influenced by the civil rights movement. As noted, the civil rights movement was about winning full and…
• Immigration, Pluralism, and Amalgamation Essay Prompt: The world has significantly transformed into a global village mainly due to technological advancement that has made almost every part of the world accessible. Consequently, migration has become a common aspect of modern life. These changes have prompted different countries to establish immigration policies…
• Essay Prompt: In the current interconnected world, global migration has turned out to be a reality that affects approximately all countries across the world. With advanced modern means of transport, people find it easier, cheaper and more convenient to move from one nation to another searching for employment.
• How to Strengthen America’s National Security
• Essay Prompt: Enhancing border control and enforcement of immigration laws are the two primary ideas that can effectively manage the problem of illegal immigration in the US. (Interesting Topics on Migration)
• Immigration Policy Impact on Economic, Security & Humanitarian Policy Essay Prompt: The current immigration policy has a far-reaching impact on humanitarian, security, and economic aspects. For instance, Migrant Protection Protocols by former President Trump prevents the imprisonment of asylum seekers, especially women and children, until the hearing of their case.
• Should American Citizenship be a Birthright? Research Paper Essay Prompt: The belief that everybody born in American soil becomes subject to the jurisdiction, hence citizens of the United States was included in the Constitution in 1868, in the 14th amendment.

These are just a few examples of Argumentative Essays Topics on Immigration. If you can find a topic that is relevant to your audience and that you are passionate about, you will be well on your way to writing a great argumentative essay .

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Eight brilliant student essays on immigration and unjust assumptions.

Read winning essays from our winter 2019 “Border (In)Security” student writing contest.

For the winter 2019 student writing competition, “Border (In)Security,” we invited students to read the YES! Magazine article “Two-Thirds of Americans Live in the “Constitution-Free Zone” by Lornet Turnbull and respond with an up-to-700-word essay. 

Students had a choice between two writing prompts for this contest on immigration policies at the border and in the “Constitution-free zone,” a 100-mile perimeter from land and sea borders where U.S. Border Patrol can search any vehicle, bus, or vessel without a warrant. They could state their positions on the impact of immigration policies on our country’s security and how we determine who is welcome to live here. Or they could write about a time when someone made an unfair assumption about them, just as Border Patrol agents have made warrantless searches of Greyhound passengers based simply on race and clothing.

The Winners

From the hundreds of essays written, these eight were chosen as winners. Be sure to read the author’s response to the essay winners and the literary gems that caught our eye.

Middle School Winner: Alessandra Serafini

High School Winner: Cain Trevino

High School Winner: Ethan Peter

University Winner: Daniel Fries

Powerful Voice Winner: Emma Hernandez-Sanchez

Powerful Voice Winner: Tiara Lewis

Powerful Voice Winner: Hailee Park

Powerful Voice Winner: Aminata Toure

From the Author Lornet Turnbull

Literary Gems

Middle school winner.

Alessandra Serafini

Brier Terrace Middle School, Brier, Wash.

Broken Promises

“…Give me your tired, your poor,

Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,

The wretched refuse of your teeming shore.

Send these, the homeless, tempest-tossed to me,

I lift my lamp beside the golden door!”

These words were written by Emma Lazarus and are inscribed on the base of the Statue of Liberty. And yet, the very door they talk about is no longer available to those who need it the most. The door has been shut, chained, and guarded. It no longer shines like gold. Those seeking asylum are being turned away. Families are being split up; children are being stranded. The promise America made to those in need is broken.

Not only is the promise to asylum seekers broken, but the promises made to some 200 million people already residing within the U.S. are broken, too. Anyone within 100 miles of the United States border lives in the “Constitution-free zone” and can be searched with “reasonable suspicion,” a suspicion that is determined by Border Patrol officers. The zone encompasses major cities, such as Seattle and New York City, and it even covers entire states, such as Florida, Massachusetts, and New Jersey. I live in the Seattle area, and it is unsettling that I can be searched and interrogated without the usual warrant. In these areas, there has been an abuse of power; people have been unlawfully searched and interrogated because of assumed race or religion.

The ACLU obtained data from the Customs and Border Protection Agency that demonstrate this reprehensible profiling. The data found that “82 percent of foreign citizens stopped by agents in that state are Latino, and almost 1 in 3 of those processed are, in fact, U.S. citizens.” These warrantless searches impede the trust-building process and communication between the local population and law enforcement officers. Unfortunately, this lack of trust makes campaigns, such as Homeland Security’s “If You See Something, Say Something,” ineffective due to the actions of the department’s own members and officers. Worst of all, profiling ostracizes entire communities and makes them feel unsafe in their own country.

Ironically, asylum seekers come to America in search of safety. However, the thin veil of safety has been drawn back, and, behind it, our tarnished colors are visible. We need to welcome people in their darkest hours rather than destroy their last bit of hope by slamming the door in their faces. The immigration process is currently in shambles, and an effective process is essential for both those already in the country and those outside of it. Many asylum seekers are running from war, poverty, hunger, and death. Their countries’ instability has hijacked every aspect of their lives, made them vagabonds, and the possibility of death, a cruel and unforgiving death, is real. They see no future for their children, and they are desperate for the perceived promise of America—a promise of opportunity, freedom, and a safe future. An effective process would determine who actually needs help and then grant them passage into America. Why should everyone be turned away? My grandmother immigrated to America from Scotland in 1955. I exist because she had a chance that others are now being denied.

Emma Lazarus named Lady Liberty the “Mother of Exiles.” Why are we denying her the happiness of children? Because we cannot decide which ones? America has an inexplicable area where our constitution has been spurned and forgotten. Additionally, there is a rancorous movement to close our southern border because of a deep-rooted fear of immigrants and what they represent. For too many Americans, they represent the end of established power and white supremacy, which is their worst nightmare. In fact, immigrants do represent change—healthy change—with new ideas and new energy that will help make this country stronger. Governmental agreement on a humane security plan is critical to ensure that America reaches its full potential. We can help. We can help people in unimaginably terrifying situations, and that should be our America.

Alessandra Serafini plays on a national soccer team for Seattle United and is learning American Sign Language outside of school. Her goal is to spread awareness about issues such as climate change, poverty, and large-scale political conflict through writing and public speaking.

  High School Winner

Cain Trevino

North Side High School, Fort Worth, Texas

Xenophobia and the Constitution-Free Zone

In August of 2017, U.S. Border Patrol agents boarded a Greyhound bus that had just arrived at the White River Junction station from Boston. According to Danielle Bonadona, a Lebanon resident and a bus passenger, “They wouldn’t let us get off. They boarded the bus and told us they needed to see our IDs or papers.” Bonadona, a 29-year-old American citizen, said that the agents spent around 20 minutes on the bus and “only checked the IDs of people who had accents or were not white.” Bonadona said she was aware of the 100-mile rule, but the experience of being stopped and searched felt “pretty unconstitutional.”

In the YES! article “Two-Thirds of Americans Live in the ‘Constitution-Free Zone’” by Lornet Turnbull, the author references the ACLU’s argument that “the 100-mile zone violates Fourth Amendment protections against unreasonable search and seizure.” However, the Supreme Court upholds the use of immigration checkpoints for inquiries on citizenship status. In my view, the ACLU makes a reasonable argument. The laws of the 100-mile zone are blurred, and, too often, officials give arbitrary reasons to conduct a search. Xenophobia and fear of immigrants burgeons in cities within these areas. People of color and those with accents or who are non-English speakers are profiled by law enforcement agencies that enforce anti-immigrant policies. The “Constitution-free zone” is portrayed as an effective barrier to secure our borders. However, this anti-immigrant zone does not make our country any safer. In fact, it does the opposite.

As a former student from the Houston area, I can tell you that the Constitution-free zone makes immigrants and citizens alike feel on edge. The Department of Homeland Security’s white SUVs patrol our streets. Even students feel the weight of anti-immigrant laws. Dennis Rivera Sarmiento, an undocumented student who attended Austin High School in Houston, was held by school police in February 2018 for a minor altercation and was handed over to county police. He was later picked up by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and held in a detention center. It is unfair that kids like Dennis face much harsher consequences for minor incidents than other students with citizenship.

These instances are a direct result of anti-immigrant laws. For example, the 287(g) program gives local and state police the authority to share individuals’ information with ICE after an arrest. This means that immigrants can be deported for committing misdemeanors as minor as running a red light. Other laws like Senate Bill 4, passed by the Texas Legislature, allow police to ask people about their immigration status after they are detained. These policies make immigrants and people of color feel like they’re always under surveillance and that, at any moment, they may be pulled over to be questioned and detained.

During Hurricane Harvey, the immigrant community was hesitant to go to the shelters because images of immigration authorities patrolling the area began to surface online. It made them feel like their own city was against them at a time when they needed them most. Constitution-free zones create communities of fear. For many immigrants, the danger of being questioned about immigration status prevents them from reporting crimes, even when they are the victim. Unreported crime only places more groups of people at risk and, overall, makes communities less safe.

In order to create a humane immigration process, citizens and non-citizens must hold policymakers accountable and get rid of discriminatory laws like 287(g) and Senate Bill 4. Abolishing the Constitution-free zone will also require pressure from the public and many organizations. For a more streamlined legal process, the League of United Latin American Citizens suggests background checks and a small application fee for incoming immigrants, as well as permanent resident status for Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) and Temporary Protected Status (TPS) recipients. Other organizations propose expanding the green card lottery and asylum for immigrants escaping the dangers of their home countries.

Immigrants who come to the U.S. are only looking for an opportunity to provide for their families and themselves; so, the question of deciding who gets inside the border and who doesn’t is the same as trying to prove some people are worth more than others. The narratives created by anti-immigrant media plant the false idea that immigrants bring nothing but crime and terrorism. Increased funding for the border and enforcing laws like 287(g) empower anti-immigrant groups to vilify immigrants and promote a witch hunt that targets innocent people. This hatred and xenophobia allow law enforcement to ask any person of color or non-native English speaker about their citizenship or to detain a teenager for a minor incident. Getting rid of the 100-mile zone means standing up for justice and freedom because nobody, regardless of citizenship, should have to live under laws created from fear and hatred.

Cain Trevino is a sophomore. Cain is proud of his Mexican and Salvadorian descent and is an advocate for the implementation of Ethnic Studies in Texas. He enjoys basketball, playing the violin, and studying c omputer science. Cain plans to pursue a career in engineering at Stanford University and later earn a PhD.  

High School Winner

Ethan Peter

Kirkwood High School, Kirkwood, Mo.

I’m an expert on bussing. For the past couple of months, I’ve been a busser at a pizza restaurant near my house. It may not be the most glamorous job, but it pays all right, and, I’ll admit, I’m in it for the money.

I arrive at 5 p.m. and inspect the restaurant to ensure it is in pristine condition for the 6 p.m. wave of guests. As customers come and go, I pick up their dirty dishes, wash off their tables, and reset them for the next guests. For the first hour of my shift, the work is fairly straightforward.

I met another expert on bussing while crossing the border in a church van two years ago. Our van arrived at the border checkpoint, and an agent stopped us. She read our passports, let us through, and moved on to her next vehicle. The Border Patrol agent’s job seemed fairly straightforward.

At the restaurant, 6 p.m. means a rush of customers. It’s the end of the workday, and these folks are hungry for our pizzas and salads. My job is no longer straightforward.

Throughout the frenzy, the TVs in the restaurant buzz about waves of people coming to the U.S. border. The peaceful ebb and flow enjoyed by Border agents is disrupted by intense surges of immigrants who seek to enter the U.S. Outside forces push immigrants to the United States: wars break out in the Middle East, gangs terrorize parts of Central and South America, and economic downturns force foreigners to look to the U.S., drawn by the promise of opportunity. Refugees and migrant caravans arrive, and suddenly, a Border Patrol agent’s job is no longer straightforward.

I turn from the TVs in anticipation of a crisis exploding inside the restaurant: crowds that arrive together will leave together. I’ve learned that when a table looks finished with their dishes, I need to proactively ask to take those dishes, otherwise, I will fall behind, and the tables won’t be ready for the next customers. The challenge is judging who is finished eating. I’m forced to read clues and use my discretion.

Interpreting clues is part of a Border Patrol agent’s job, too. Lornet Turnbull states, “For example, CBP data obtained by ACLU in Michigan shows that 82 percent of foreign citizens stopped by agents in that state are Latino, and almost 1 in 3 of those processed is, in fact, a U.S. citizen.” While I try to spot customers done with their meals so I can clear their part of the table, the Border Patrol officer uses clues to detect undocumented immigrants. We both sometimes guess incorrectly, but our intentions are to do our jobs to the best of our abilities.

These situations are uncomfortable. I certainly do not enjoy interrupting a conversation to get someone’s dishes, and I doubt Border Patrol agents enjoy interrogating someone about their immigration status. In both situations, the people we mistakenly ask lose time and are subjected to awkward and uncomfortable situations. However, here’s where the busser and the Border Patrol officer’s situations are different: If I make a mistake, the customer faces a minor inconvenience. The stakes for a Border Patrol agent are much higher. Mistakenly asking for documentation and searching someone can lead to embarrassment or fear—it can even be life-changing. Thus, Border Patrol agents must be fairly certain that someone’s immigration status is questionable before they begin their interrogation.

To avoid these situations altogether, the U.S. must make the path to citizenship for immigrants easier. This is particularly true for immigrants fleeing violence. Many people object to this by saying these immigrants will bring violence with them, but data does not support this view. In 1939, a ship of Jewish refugees from Germany was turned away from the U.S.—a decision viewed negatively through the lens of history. Today, many people advocate restricting immigration for refugees from violent countries; they refuse to learn the lessons from 1939. The sad thing is that many of these immigrants are seen as just as violent as the people they are fleeing. We should not confuse the oppressed with the oppressor.

My restaurant appreciates customers because they bring us money, just as we should appreciate immigrants because they bring us unique perspectives. Equally important, immigrants provide this country with a variety of expert ideas and cultures, which builds better human connections and strengthens our society.

Ethan Peter is a junior. Ethan writes for his school newspaper, The Kirkwood Call, and plays volleyball for his high school and a club team. He hopes to continue to grow as a writer in the future. 

University Winner

Daniel Fries

Lane Community College, Eugene, Ore.

Detained on the Road to Equality

The United States is a nation of immigrants. There are currently 43 million foreign-born people living in the U.S. Millions of them are naturalized American citizens, and 23 million, or 7.2 percent of the population, are living here without documentation (US Census, 2016). One in seven residents of the United States was not born here. Multiculturalism is, and always has been, a key part of the American experience. However, romantic notions of finding a better life in the United States for immigrants and refugees don’t reflect reality. In modern history, America is a country that systematically treats immigrants—documented or not—and non-white Americans in a way that is fundamentally different than what is considered right by the majority.

The Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment states,“No state shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States; nor shall any state deprive any person of life, liberty or property, without due process of law; nor deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws.” When a suspected undocumented immigrant is detained, their basic human rights are violated. Warrantless raids on Greyhound buses within 100 miles of the border (an area referred to by some as the “Constitution-free zone”) are clear violations of human rights. These violations are not due to the current state of politics; they are the symptom of blatant racism in the United States and a system that denigrates and abuses people least able to defend themselves.

It is not surprising that some of the mechanisms that drive modern American racism are political in nature. Human beings are predisposed to dislike and distrust individuals that do not conform to the norms of their social group (Mountz, Allison). Some politicians appeal to this suspicion and wrongly attribute high crime rates to non-white immigrants. The truth is that immigrants commit fewer crimes than native-born Americans. In fact, people born in the United States are convicted of crimes at a rate twice that of undocumented non-natives (Cato Institute, 2018).

The majority of immigrants take high risks to seek a better life, giving them incentive to obey the laws of their new country. In many states, any contact with law enforcement may ultimately result in deportation and separation from family. While immigrants commit far fewer crimes, fear of violent crime by much of the U.S. population outweighs the truth. For some politicians, it is easier to sell a border wall to a scared population than it is to explain the need for reformed immigration policy. It’s easier to say that immigrants are taking people’s jobs than explain a changing global economy and its effect on employment. The only crime committed in this instance is discrimination.

Human rights are violated when an undocumented immigrant—or someone perceived as an undocumented immigrant—who has not committed a crime is detained on a Greyhound bus. When a United States citizen is detained on the same bus, constitutional rights are being violated. The fact that this happens every day and that we debate its morality makes it abundantly clear that racism is deeply ingrained in this country. Many Americans who have never experienced this type of oppression lack the capacity to understand its lasting effect. Most Americans don’t know what it’s like to be late to work because they were wrongfully detained, were pulled over by the police for the third time that month for no legal reason, or had to coordinate legal representation for their U.S. citizen grandmother because she was taken off a bus for being a suspected undocumented immigrant. This oppression is cruel and unnecessary.

America doesn’t need a wall to keep out undocumented immigrants; it needs to seriously address how to deal with immigration. It is possible to reform the current system in such a way that anyone can become a member of American society, instead of existing outside of it. If a person wants to live in the United States and agrees to follow its laws and pay its taxes, a path to citizenship should be available.

People come to the U.S. from all over the world for many reasons. Some have no other choice. There are ongoing humanitarian crises in Syria, Yemen, and South America that are responsible for the influx of immigrants and asylum seekers at our borders. If the United States wants to address the current situation, it must acknowledge the global factors affecting the immigrants at the center of this debate and make fact-informed decisions. There is a way to maintain the security of America while treating migrants and refugees compassionately, to let those who wish to contribute to our society do so, and to offer a hand up instead of building a wall.

Daniel Fries studies computer science. Daniel has served as a wildland firefighter in Oregon, California, and Alaska. He is passionate about science, nature, and the ways that technology contributes to making the world a better, more empathetic, and safer place.

Powerful Voice Winner

Emma Hernandez-Sanchez

Wellness, Business and Sports School, Woodburn, Ore.

An Emotion an Immigrant Knows Too Well

Before Donald Trump’s campaign, I was oblivious to my race and the idea of racism. As far as I knew, I was the same as everyone else. I didn’t stop to think about our different-colored skins. I lived in a house with a family and attended school five days a week just like everyone else. So, what made me different?

Seventh grade was a very stressful year—the year that race and racism made an appearance in my life. It was as if a cold splash of water woke me up and finally opened my eyes to what the world was saying. It was this year that Donald Trump started initiating change about who got the right to live in this country and who didn’t. There was a lot of talk about deportation, specifically for Mexicans, and it sparked commotion and fear in me.

I remember being afraid and nervous to go out. At home, the anxiety was there but always at the far back of my mind because I felt safe inside. My fear began as a small whisper, but every time I stepped out of my house, it got louder. I would have dreams about the deportation police coming to my school; when I went to places like the library, the park, the store, or the mall, I would pay attention to everyone and to my surroundings. In my head, I would always ask myself, “Did they give us nasty looks?,” “Why does it seem quieter?” “Was that a cop I just saw?” I would notice little things, like how there were only a few Mexicans out or how empty a store was. When my mom went grocery shopping, I would pray that she would be safe. I was born in America, and both my parents were legally documented. My mom was basically raised here. Still, I couldn’t help but feel nervous.

I knew I shouldn’t have been afraid, but with one look, agents could have automatically thought my family and I were undocumented. Even when the deportation police would figure out that we weren’t undocumented, they’d still figure out a way to deport us—at least that was what was going through my head. It got so bad that I didn’t even want to do the simplest things like go grocery shopping because there was a rumor that the week before a person was taken from Walmart.

I felt scared and nervous, and I wasn’t even undocumented. I can’t even imagine how people who are undocumented must have felt, how they feel. All I can think is that it’s probably ten times worse than what I was feeling. Always worrying about being deported and separated from your family must be hard. I was living in fear, and I didn’t even have it that bad. My heart goes out to families that get separated from each other. It’s because of those fears that I detest the “Constitution-free zone.”

Legally documented and undocumented people who live in the Constitution-free zone are in constant fear of being deported. People shouldn’t have to live this way. In fact, there have been arguments that the 100-mile zone violates the Fourth Amendment, which gives people the right to be protected from unreasonable searches and seizures of property by the government. Unfortunately, the U.S. Supreme Court has consistently upheld these practices.

One question that Lornet Turnbull asks in her YES! article “Two-Thirds of Americans Live in the ‘Constitution-Free Zone’” is, “How should we decide who is welcome in the U.S and who is not?” Instead of focusing on immigrants, how about we focus on the people who shoot up schools, rape girls, exploit women for human sex trafficking, and sell drugs? These are the people who make our country unsafe; they are the ones who shouldn’t be accepted. Even if they are citizens and have the legal right to live here, they still shouldn’t be included. If they are the ones making this country unsafe, then what gives them the right to live here?

I don’t think that the Constitution-free zone is an effective and justifiable way to make this country more “secure.” If someone isn’t causing any trouble in the United States and is just simply living their life, then they should be welcomed here. We shouldn’t have to live in fear that our rights will be taken away. I believe that it’s unfair for people to automatically think that it’s the Hispanics that make this country unsafe. Sure, get all the undocumented people out of the United States, but it’s not going to make this country any safer. It is a society that promotes violence that makes us unsafe, not a race.

Emma Hernandez-Sanchez is a freshman who is passionate about literature and her education. Emma wan ts to inspire others to be creative and try their best. She enjoys reading and creating stories that spark imagination. 

  Powerful Voice Winner

Tiara Lewis

Columbus City Preparatory Schools for Girls,

Columbus, Ohio

Hold Your Head High and Keep Those Fists Down

How would you feel if you walked into a store and salespeople were staring at you? Making you feel like you didn’t belong. Judging you. Assuming that you were going to take something, even though you might have $1,000 on you to spend. Sometimes it doesn’t matter. This is because people will always judge you. It might not be because of your race but for random reasons, like because your hair is black instead of dirty blonde. Or because your hair is short and not long. Or just because they are having a bad day. People will always find ways to bring you down and accuse you of something, but that doesn’t mean you have to go along with it.

Every time I entered a store, I would change my entire personality. I would change the way I talked and the way I walked. I always saw myself as needing to fit in. If a store was all pink, like the store Justice, I would act like a girly girl. If I was shopping in a darker store, like Hot Topic, I would hum to the heavy metal songs and act more goth. I had no idea that I was feeding into stereotypes.

When I was 11, I walked into Claire’s, a well-known store at the mall. That day was my sister’s birthday. Both of us were really happy and had money to spend. As soon as we walked into the store, two employees stared me and my sister down, giving us cold looks. When we went to the cashier to buy some earrings, we thought everything was fine. However, when we walked out of the store, there was a policeman and security guards waiting. At that moment, my sister and I looked at one another, and I said, in a scared little girl voice, “I wonder what happened? Why are they here?”

Then, they stopped us. We didn’t know what was going on. The same employee that cashed us out was screaming as her eyes got big, “What did you steal?” I was starting to get numb. Me and my sister looked at each other and told the truth: “We didn’t steal anything. You can check us.” They rudely ripped through our bags and caused a big scene. My heart was pounding like a drum. I felt violated and scared. Then, the policeman said, “Come with us. We need to call your parents.” While this was happening, the employees were talking to each other, smiling. We got checked again. The police said that they were going to check the cameras, but after they were done searching us, they realized that we didn’t do anything wrong and let us go about our day.

Walking in the mall was embarrassing—everybody staring, looking, and whispering as we left the security office. This made me feel like I did something wrong while knowing I didn’t. We went back to the store to get our shopping bags. The employees sneered, “Don’t you niggers ever come in this store again. You people always take stuff. This time you just got lucky.” Their faces were red and frightening. It was almost like they were in a scary 3D movie, screaming, and coming right at us. I felt hurt and disappointed that someone had the power within them to say something so harsh and wrong to another person. Those employees’ exact words will forever be engraved in my memory.

In the article, “Two-Thirds of Americans Live in the ‘Constitution-Free Zone’,” Lornet Turnbull states, “In January, they stopped a man in Indio, California, as he was boarding a Los Angeles-bound bus. While questioning this man about his immigration status, agents told him his ‘shoes looked suspicious,’ like those of someone who had recently crossed the border.” They literally judged him by his shoes. They had no proof of anything. If a man is judged by his shoes, who else and what else are being judged in the world?

In the novel  To Kill a Mockingbird , a character named Atticus states, “You just hold your head high and keep those fists down. No matter what anybody says to you, don’t you let’em get your goat. Try fighting with your head for a change.” No matter how much you might try to change yourself, your hairstyle, and your clothes, people will always make assumptions about you. However, you never need to change yourself to make a point or to feel like you fit in. Be yourself. Don’t let those stereotypes turn into facts.

Tiara Lewis is in the eighth grade. Tiara plays the clarinet and is trying to change the world— one essay at a time. She is most often found curled up on her bed, “Divergent” in one hand and a cream-filled doughnut in the other.

Hailee Park

 Wielding My Swords

If I were a swordsman, my weapons would be my identities. I would wield one sword in my left hand and another in my right. People expect me to use both fluently, but I’m not naturally ambidextrous. Even though I am a right-handed swordsman, wielding my dominant sword with ease, I must also carry a sword in my left, the heirloom of my family heritage. Although I try to live up to others’ expectations by using both swords, I may appear inexperienced while attempting to use my left. In some instances, my heirloom is mistaken for representing different families’ since the embellishments look similar.

Many assumptions are made about my heirloom sword based on its appearance, just as many assumptions are made about me based on my physical looks. “Are you Chinese?” When I respond with ‘no,’ they stare at me blankly in confusion. There is a multitude of Asian cultures in the United States, of which I am one. Despite what many others may assume, I am not Chinese; I am an American-born Korean.

“Then… are you Japanese?” Instead of asking a broader question, like “What is your ethnicity?,” they choose to ask a direct question. I reply that I am Korean. I like to think that this answers their question sufficiently; however, they think otherwise. Instead, I take this as their invitation to a duel.

They attack me with another question: “Are you from North Korea or South Korea?” I don’t know how to respond because I’m not from either of those countries; I was born in America. I respond with “South Korea,” where my parents are from because I assume that they’re asking me about my ethnicity. I’m not offended by this situation because I get asked these questions frequently. From this experience, I realize that people don’t know how to politely ask questions about identity to those unlike them. Instead of asking “What is your family’s ethnicity?,” many people use rude alternatives, such as “Where are you from?,” or “What language do you speak?”

When people ask these questions, they make assumptions based on someone’s appearance. In my case, people make inferences like:

“She must be really good at speaking Korean.”

“She’s Asian; therefore, she must be born in Asia.”

“She’s probably Chinese.”

These thoughts may appear in their heads because making assumptions is natural. However, there are instances when assumptions can be taken too far. Some U.S. Border Patrol agents in the “Constitution-free zone” have made similar assumptions based on skin color and clothing. For example, agents marked someone as an undocumented immigrant because “his shoes looked suspicious, like those of someone who had recently crossed the border.”

Another instance was when a Jamaican grandmother was forced off a bus when she was visiting her granddaughter. The impetus was her accent and the color of her skin. Government officials chose to act on their assumptions, even though they had no solid proof that the grandmother was an undocumented immigrant. These situations just touch the surface of the issue of racial injustice in America.

When someone makes unfair assumptions about me, they are pointing their sword and challenging me to a duel; I cannot refuse because I am already involved. It is not appropriate for anyone, including Border Patrol agents, to make unjustified assumptions or to act on those assumptions. Border Patrol agents have no right to confiscate the swords of the innocent solely based on their conjectures. The next time I’m faced with a situation where racially ignorant assumptions are made about me, I will refuse to surrender my sword, point it back at them, and triumphantly fight their ignorance with my cultural pride.

Hailee Park is an eighth grader who enjoys reading many genres. While reading, Hailee recognized the racial injustices against immigrants in America, which inspired her essay. Hailee plays violin in her school’s orchestra and listens to and composes music. 

Aminata Toure

East Harlem School, New York City, N.Y.

We Are Still Dreaming

As a young Muslim American woman, I have been labeled things I am not: a terrorist, oppressed, and an ISIS supporter. I have been accused of planning 9/11, an event that happened before I was born. Lately, in the media, Muslims have been portrayed as supporters of a malevolent cause, terrorizing others just because they do not have the same beliefs. I often scoff at news reports that portray Muslims in such a light, just as I scoff at all names I’ve been labeled. They are words that do not define me. 

In a land where labels have stripped immigrants of their personalities, they are now being stripped of something that makes them human: their rights. The situation described in Lornet Turnbull’s article, “Two-Thirds of Americans are Living in the ‘Constitution-Free Zone’,” goes directly against the Constitution, the soul of this country, something that asserts that we are all equal before the law. If immigrants do not have protection from the Constitution, is there any way to feel safe?

Although most insults are easy to shrug off, they are still threatening. I am ashamed when I feel afraid to go to the mosque. Friday is an extremely special day when we gather together to pray, but lately, I haven’t been going to the mosque for Jummah prayers. I have realized that I can never feel safe when in a large group of Muslims because of the widespread hatred of Muslims in the United States, commonly referred to as Islamophobia. Police surround our mosque, and there are posters warning us about dangerous people who might attack our place of worship because we have been identified as terrorists.

I wish I could tune out every news report that blasts out the headline “Terrorist Attack!” because I know that I will be judged based on the actions of someone else. Despite this anti-Muslim racism, what I have learned from these insults is that I am proud of my faith. I am a Muslim, but being Muslim doesn’t define me. I am a writer, a student, a dreamer, a friend, a New Yorker, a helper, and an American. I am unapologetically me, a Muslim, and so much more. I definitely think everyone should get to know a Muslim. They would see that some of us are also Harry Potter fans, not just people planning to bomb the White House.

Labels are unjustly placed on us because of the way we speak, the color of our skin, and what we believe in—not for who we are as individuals. Instead, we should all take more time to get to know one another. As Martin Luther King Jr. said in his “I Have a Dream” speech, we should be judged by the content of our character and not the color of our skin. To me, it seems Martin Luther King Jr.’s dream is a dream that should be a reality. But, for now, we are dreaming.

Aminata Toure is a Guinean American Muslim student. Aminata loves spoken-word poetry and performs in front of hundreds of people at her school’s annual poetry slam. She loves writing, language, history, and West African food and culture. Aminata wants to work at the United Nations when she grows up.

From the Author 

Dear Alessandra, Cain, Daniel, Tiara, Emma, Hailee, Aminata and Ethan,

I am moved and inspired by the thought each of you put into your responses to my story about this so-called “Constitution-free zone.” Whether we realize it or not, immigration in this country impacts all of us— either because we are immigrants ourselves, have neighbors, friends, and family who are, or because we depend on immigrants for many aspects of our lives—from the food we put on our tables to the technology that bewitches us. It is true that immigrants enrich our society in so many important ways, as many of you point out.

And while the federal statute that permits U.S. Border Patrol officers to stop and search at will any of the 200 million of us in this 100-mile shadow border, immigrants have been their biggest targets. In your essays, you highlight how unjust the law is—nothing short of racial profiling. It is heartening to see each of you, in your own way, speaking out against the unfairness of this practice.

Alessandra, you are correct, the immigration system in this country is in shambles. You make a powerful argument about how profiling ostracizes entire communities and how the warrantless searches allowed by this statute impede trust-building between law enforcement and the people they are called on to serve.

And Cain, you point out how this 100-mile zone, along with other laws in the state of Texas where you attended school, make people feel like they’re “always under surveillance, and that, at any moment, you may be pulled over to be questioned and detained.” It seems unimaginable that people live their lives this way, yet millions in this country do.

You, Emma, for example, speak of living in a kind of silent fear since Donald Trump took office, even though you were born in this country and your parents are here legally. You are right, “We shouldn’t have to live in fear that our rights will be taken away.”

And Aminata, you write of being constantly judged and labeled because you’re a Muslim American. How unfortunate and sad that in a country that generations of people fled to search for religious freedom, you are ashamed at times to practice your own. The Constitution-free zone, you write, “goes directly against the Constitution, the soul of this country, something that asserts that we are all equal before the law.”

Tiara, I could personally relate to your gripping account of being racially profiled and humiliated in a store. You were appalled that the Greyhound passenger in California was targeted by Border Patrol because they claimed his shoes looked like those of someone who had walked across the border: “If a man is judged by his shoes,” you ask, “who else and what else are getting judged in the world?”

Hailee, you write about the incorrect assumptions people make about you, an American born of Korean descent, based solely on your appearance and compared it to the assumptions Border Patrol agents make about those they detain in this zone.

Daniel, you speak of the role of political fearmongering in immigration. It’s not new, but under the current administration, turning immigrants into boogiemen for political gain is currency. You write that “For some politicians, it is easier to sell a border wall to a scared population than it is to explain the need for reformed immigration policy.”

And Ethan, you recognize the contributions immigrants make to this country through the connections we all make with them and the strength they bring to our society.

Keep speaking your truth. Use your words and status to call out injustice wherever and whenever you see it. Untold numbers of people spoke out against this practice by Border Patrol and brought pressure on Greyhound to change. In December, the company began offering passengers written guidance—in both Spanish and English—so they understand what their rights are when officers board their bus. Small steps, yes, but progress nonetheless, brought about by people just like you, speaking up for those who sometimes lack a voice to speak up for themselves.

With sincere gratitude,

Lornet Turnbull

Lornet Turnbull is an editor for YES! and a Seattle-based freelance writer. Follow her on Twitter  @TurnbullL .

We received many outstanding essays for the Winter 2019 Student Writing Competition. Though not every participant can win the contest, we’d like to share some excerpts that caught our eye:

After my parents argued with the woman, they told me if you can fight with fists, you prove the other person’s point, but when you fight with the power of your words, you can have a much bigger impact. I also learned that I should never be ashamed of where I am from. —Fernando Flores, The East Harlem School, New York City, N.Y.

Just because we were born here and are privileged to the freedom of our country, we do not have the right to deprive others of a chance at success. —Avalyn Cox, Brier Terrace Middle School, Brier, Wash.

Maybe, rather than a wall, a better solution to our immigration problem would be a bridge. —Sean Dwyer, Lane Community College, Eugene, Ore.

If anything, what I’ve learned is that I don’t know what to do. I don’t know how to change our world. I don’t know how to make a difference, how to make my voice heard. But I have learned the importance of one word, a simple two-letter word that’s taught to the youngest of us, a word we all know but never recognize: the significance of ‘we.’ —Enna Chiu, Highland Park High School, Highland Park, N.J.

Not to say the Border Patrol should not have authorization to search people within the border, but I am saying it should be near the border, more like one mile, not 100. —Cooper Tarbuck, Maranacook Middle School, Manchester, Maine.

My caramel color, my feminism, my Spanish and English language, my Mexican culture, and my young Latina self gives me the confidence to believe in myself, but it can also teach others that making wrong assumptions about someone because of their skin color, identity, culture, looks or gender can make them look and be weaker. —Ana Hernandez, The East Harlem School, New York City, N.Y.

We don’t need to change who we are to fit these stereotypes like someone going on a diet to fit into a new pair of pants. —Kaylee Meyers, Brier Terrace Middle School, Brier, Wash.

If a human being with no criminal background whatsoever has trouble entering the country because of the way he or she dresses or speaks, border protection degenerates into arbitrariness. —Jonas Schumacher, Heidelberg University of Education, Heidelberg, Germany

I believe that you should be able to travel freely throughout your own country without the constant fear of needing to prove that you belong here . —MacKenzie Morgan, Lincoln Middle School, Ypsilanti, Mich.

America is known as “the Land of Opportunity,” but this label is quickly disappearing. If we keep stopping those striving for a better life, then what will become of this country? —Ennyn Chiu, Highland Park Middle School, Highland Park, N.J.

The fact that two-thirds of the people in the U.S. are living in an area called the “Constitution-free zone” is appalling. Our Constitution was made to protect our rights as citizens, no matter where we are in the country. These systems that we are using to “secure” our country are failing, and we need to find a way to change them. —Isis Liaw, Brier Terrace Middle School, Brier, Wash.

I won’t let anyone, especially a man, tell me what I can do, because I am a strong Latina. I will represent where I come from, and I am proud to be Mexican. I will show others that looks can be deceiving. I will show others that even the weakest animal, a beautiful butterfly, is tough, and it will cross any border, no matter how challenging the journey may be. —Brittany Leal, The East Harlem School, New York City, N.Y.

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The Debate in the United States over Immigration

These essays examine economic, political, social, and legal issues related to immigration into the United States—from compelling arguments for limited immigration to forceful arguments for open borders. They assess the benefits and costs of immigration and its impact on education, social welfare, and health care.

With the annual number of immigrants to the United States at an all-time high, the debate over immigration has reached a fevered pitch. Do today's immigrants come to this country just to go on welfare? Will immigration forever change America's ethnic, cultural, and political landscape? Some see unrestrained immigration as the lifeblood of the world's most successful society, while others have called for closing the borders entirely. After the introduction, which examines the historical debate over immigration, the book looks at the current spectrum of economic, political, social, and legal issues related to immigration into the United States—from compelling arguments for limited immigration to forceful arguments for open borders. As part of the program on American Institutions and Economic Performance, leading scholars and business experts convened at the Hoover Institution in October 1996. Amid swirling controversy over passage of California's Proposition 187, which denies welfare benefits to illegal immigrants, conference participants discussed current state and federal immigration policies and the strengths and weaknesses of proposed changes. Presented here is a powerful cross section of papers from that conference, each covering a major aspect of the overall immigration issue. The distinguished participants offer assessments of the benefits and costs of immigration, along with its impact on education, social welfare, and health care, and then presents appraisals of the widely publicized subject of undocumented immigration and employer sanctions. With immigration becoming a personal issue for millions of Americans, The Debate in the United States over Immigration illuminates fundamental, individual truths crucial to making policy decisions that will ultimately best serve American society.

Copyright 1997.

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71 Illegal Immigration Essay Topics & Examples

Looking for illegal immigration essay topics? The issue of undocumented immigration is hot, controversial, and worth exploring.

• 📝 Essay: How to Write

👍 Essay Topics & Examples

🔍 research paper topics & examples, ❓ questions about illegal immigration for research paper.

Illegal immigration refers to undocumented migration of people into a county in violation of the according immigration laws of that country. Illegal immigrants face a number of problems, like the risk of being enslaved, health problems due to the lack of access to public health systems, and many more. Whether you’re planning to write a 5-paragraph essay or a thesis about illegal immigration, the article below will be helpful. Here you’ll find everything all you might need to write an A+ immigration essay. There are research paper ideas, tips, & illegal immigration essay examples.

📝 Illegal Immigration Essay: How to Write

Illegal immigration essays are familiar to anyone studying sociology, politics, human rights, and other similar subjects. Today, there is plenty of information about illegal immigration on the Internet, so you shouldn’t worry about finding things to write about. What you absolutely need to pay attention to is the structure. The tips in this post will help you to nail your next illegal immigration essay!

Tip 1: Create a list of possible topics. Illegal immigration is a rather broad subject, so you will need to narrow it down a little bit. For example, you may want to write about the pros and cons of illegal immigration. Argumentative papers on this subject could be particularly successful if your points are strong and supported by evidence.

Tip 2: Write down a title. You may want to postpone this step until you’re one-on-one with the paper, but finding the right title will aid you in structuring the essay. There are numerous online resources that you could use to browse illegal immigration essay topics and titles. If nothing comes to mind, compose a thesis statement and use it as a preliminary title to help you focus.

Tip 3: Collect ideas. While you may have studied illegal immigration already, don’t write down any points until you’ve done your research. Be sure to check a variety of sources, including scholarly articles, government reports, newspaper articles, and editorial pieces. This will ensure that your overview of the chosen theme is comprehensive. Try to avoid sites such as Wikipedia, online encyclopedias, and blogs. While there may be some good points there, your tutor will most likely reject sources that are not academic quality. Hence, you should stick to publications from reputable sources to avoid losing marks! Write down all the key statements, information, and arguments that you can find online.

Tip 4: Prepare an outline. An outline is the backbone of your paper on illegal immigration. Argumentative essay outline examples would usually include an introduction, two points supporting your position, one point against it, a rebuttal, and a conclusion. A persuasive paper would have a different outline, with more supporting points and no opposing opinions. An informative essay will have an introduction, background, three to five main points, and a conclusion. Create a basic outline for the chosen essay type and don’t worry about adding information to each section yet.

Tip 5: Organize your points in a sequence. Now, return to the list of points you’ve already made and see which ones fit into the outline nicely. The most general information should go into the introduction, where you describe the problem and your approach. You should finish your introduction with an illegal immigration essay thesis to show the focus of the paper. In the next sections, your points should escalate in complexity. For example, you can start with the history of immigration, then consider recent data on undocumented immigrants, and then discuss the opportunities for immigration reform. Write each point as a topic sentence and ensure that they follow in a logical sequence. Delete any information that doesn’t fit – you won’t regret it later!

A paper structured based on these tips will be interesting to read and earn your tutor’s approval. If you need to write an essay about immigration in the United States, don’t forget to check our free sample papers!

• Effects of illegal immigration on the economy of the United States and the measures that be taken to minimize the effect The study will include the demographics of the illegal immigration, its history, the immigration policy, and the impact that the illegal immigration has on the economy of the United States.
• Strategies for Solving the Issue of Illegal Immigration in the US The first one is enforcing the measures preventing it, and the second one is changing immigration policy in order to make legalization easier.
• Ethics of Illegal Immigration Effects on the US As such, the Immigration Act of 1924 was established, which promoted the immigration of foreign citizens into the US to meet these requirements, and also created several objective preconditions for foreigners to consider entering America […]
• Migration and National Security The author has noted that there is a close relationship between immigrants and these issues and this call for the need to evaluate the application of these policies in controlling the activities of immigrants in […]
• Illegal Immigration Policies and Violent Crime The authors of this article discuss how illegal immigration and border enforcement influence the level of crime along the U.S.-Mexico border.
• The Birth of Illegal Immigration In addition, Americans blamed Chinese immigrants for low wages and the unemployment rate, which further influenced the ban on Asians to move to the U.S.
• Illegal Immigration Control in the Texas Although the public assigns immense powers to the governor’s office, Texas’ office of the governor enjoys weak institutional powers because of the constitution’s provision of multiple offices that server alongside the office of the governor.
• The Illegal Immigration Prevention Policy For example, one of the biggest of them would be the necessity to analyze all the gathered information. Therefore, it is safe to assume that there would be no shortage of information for the Chef […]
• Hispanic Americans as Illegal Immigration Thus a historical loyalty to the Democratic Party is still sustained even today At 15% the Hispanic-American population of the United States makes up the fastest growing minority in the United States.
• Illegal Immigration: Difference in Covering the Matter The aim of the paper is to discover the difference in covering the matter of illegal migration to Canary Islands from sub-Saharan including periodical issues, radio broadcasts, and a photo, in order not only to […]
• Illegal Immigration Issue in the USA The secure border could also be considered one of the possible solutions to the problem of illegal immigration as it will help to control this very aspect.
• Illegal Immigration, Its Causes, Methods, Effects It is the duty of immigration officers to update all the expired visas and ensure that either they are renewed or the victims leave the country.
• Illegal Immigration Crisis: Problems and Solutions For example, federal policy has led to the involvement of local law enforcement as immigration agents who have inherited the responsibilities of checking citizenship status and detaining those failing to produce documentation.
• Illegal Immigration as a Major Problem for the USA However, when it comes to defining the factors contributing to the growth of the unemployment rates among the local population, not only the growth of the number of immigrants, but also the quality of the […]
• America and the Problem of Illegal Immigration The presence of the illegal immigrants, commonly known as illegal aliens, is such massive numbers has brought the issue of illegal immigration to the limelight of the U.S.political scene, to the halls of Congress, and […]
• Sheriff Joe’s Illegal Immigration in Arizona Often dubbed as the “toughest sheriff in the United States”, the sheriff has the numbers to back his fight against illegal immigrants in his county.
• Illegal Immigration in the United States Another factor that calls for strict application of the law for the deportation of illegal immigrants in the United States is the fact that the legislation that has been in existence has provided avenues for […]
• Illegal Immigration Problem in the United States The fences that were set up to deter entry only covered part of the border and in the past decade, the government has been searching for better ways to control entry into the United States.
• Illegal Immigration in the USA Some of the most secure cities in the countries happen to be in the south. Kane and Johnson also add that immigrants are not a problem to the country’s economy; consequently, anti-immigration laws need not […]
• Is the Legalization of Illegal Aliens a Good Solution to Illegal Immigration in America? Huge numbers of illegal immigrants come from the southern borders of the US and especially on the US-Mexico border and to the north; the US-Canada border.
• Role of Frontex in Combating Illegal Immigration in the European Union Territory Surveillance on external borders With its headquarters in Warsaw, Poland, the European Agency for the management of Operational Cooperation at the External Borders of the member states of the European Union is a body, which […]
• Illegal Immigration in the United States as an Economic Burden Finally, the economic challenge of illegal immigration also undermines the educational system in the United States. As it has been mentioned before, the illegal immigration in the Unites States creates both opportunities and shortcomings for […]
• The Issue of Muslims’ Immigration to Australia This increase was especially noticeable in the late 1940s and the early 1950s, following the overthrow of the monarchy in Egypt, resulting in the rise of the Arab nationalist movement.
• Stopping Illegal Immigration: Border Security The other reason for the need to stop illegal immigration is that the Illegal aliens are weighing down many systems in the country.
• Illegal Immigration in the United States The name of the article to be critiqued is, ‘The Economics and Policy of Illegal Immigration in the United States’. One of the hypotheses that have been supported by the article is that policymakers across […]
• Immigration and Illegal Foreigners in Japan However, the economic boom of the mid 1980s necessitated the use of foreign workers and this marked the first wave of immigrants in Japan.
• How Has Immigration Transformed the Life and Culture of London Over the Past 150 Years? Except in the recent years where the number has decreased as a result of the heightening recession, people seeking employment have always constituted the largest number of the total inflows in the UK.
• Socio-Economic Benefits of Immigrant Population in the US and Canada Immigration in the United States and Canada in the Post Hart-Cella Act and Canadian Immigration Act Era This paper addresses the socio-economic benefits of immigrant population in the United States of America and Canada.
• Illegal Immigration to the United States Fox News has argued that it is very difficult to actually determine how an increase in the number of illegal immigrants gets to affect the rate of crime in the United States.
• Economic advantages and disadvantages of immigration into the U.S. According to Geigenberger, because of this inability to get taxes from the majority of the immigrants, the government is always strained in the achievement of objectives.
• The Impacts of Illegal Immigration on the Country of Destination The illegal immigrants find a new life and find means of serving in the new destination, accordingly the country of destination realize some changes. Waldo disagree that illegal immigrants contribute to the economy of the […]
• Immigration Reform and the Economic Impact The emergence of immigration policy from the comprehensive immigration reform primarily seeks to implement a flexible legal immigration platform that would leverage the economic situations of the United States. The national GDP depends on the […]
• Immigration Bill in US This essay seeks to prove that it is proper for such people to acquire citizenship in the United States of America through the passing of the pending immigration bill.
• The Issue of Illegal Immigration On the other hand, opponents of immigration depict immigrants as a menace to the American people as it promotes the rise in criminal activities and causes an economic and social burden to taxpayers.
• Illegal Immigration: Views of Policy Makers, Media and General Public Illegal immigration into the U.S.is a billion dollar question that has fueled considerable public debate within the country in the past few years due the inherent social and economic costs that illegal immigration places on […]
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• The Unemployed and Illegal Immigrants in the United States Are More Likely to Be Involved in Crime Than the Employed and Legal Immigrants The criteria of selection for the literature will be the relevance to the research topic as well as the year of publication.
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Argumentative Essay On Immigration

Type of paper: Argumentative Essay

Topic: Business , Immigration , Workplace , Salary , Company , Migration , Economics , Development

Words: 2000

Published: 12/15/2019

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Thesis Statement: Immigration and its socio-economic impact on any country. The paper will further support that immigration is good for any country and its economy.

Immigration is an act of leaving one’s own country and rushing towards another country in search of money, sources and other amenities. It has always been a matter of discussion in many countries for a number of reasons. The roots of immigration are related to the development, urbanization and globalization. The need of money to fulfill the immigrant’s requirements of life is the basic cause behind the act of immigration. Usually people of poor or less developed countries have a tendency to migrate in the rich and developed countries with the intention to earn their livelihood or to earn money for their family. This trend has though created a chaotic situation in the society of the countries where people have migrated or still migrating. A number of people from different sects of the society have started demanding a complete curvature on the immigration in the rich countries. This paper discusses the different aspects of the immigration and further probes that immigration is good or bad for the people of different societies.

Causes of immigration

i. Economic reasons: There are several reasons of immigration and earning money is definitely at the top of the list. Sustenance, due to economic problem is a big issue in many countries and this is why people rush towards the rich countries for their livelihood. People migrate to other countries with the intention of earning money. They get good wages for the same work in the developed countries in comparison to their native places. They do not only feed themselves by way of getting the employment therein but also take care of their family. ii. Non economic reasons: Education is also one of the main non economic reasons of immigration in different countries. People want their children to get education in a modern and developed state of affairs. People want their children to be equipped with professional skills so that they could earn and look after them satisfactorily and escape from the amount of struggles, they came across. People also migrate to other countries being inspired by religious reasons. It has been observed that people rush towards places that are considered holy for religious purposes. Civil wars, ethnic cleansing, continuous violation of human rights are also major non economic reasons of immigration. People migrate in the developed and peace loving countries where these problems do not exist and life of an individual lives a respectful life.

Effects of migration

Like causes, there are different effects of the immigration which keeps this issue in discussion. Recently it has been noted that people in the rich countries have started raising loud voices against the immigration. They believe that these immigrants have trespassed in their territory and occupied the jobs, opportunities and resources which are meant for the native people. Since they belong to very poor places and have no choices, they can work at very minimum wages which affects the bargaining power of the people of the rich countries. Apart from this, the immigrants make their country overpopulated, what the native people believe. The people, who advocate against the immigration, suggest that the immigrants have no any liability or any kind of duty towards the nation where they get everything. They just come, earn and leave when their purpose is fulfilled or even stay to make the country an overpopulated. They have no duty but enjoy a number of rights. Immigration is a widely discussed issue. It may have some negative effects or cause some problems for the people of the country where migration happens but there is another aspect of the issue. It is evident from a number of instances that the immigrants have widely contributed in the society of the nations where they have migrated. They have served the country ion a number of ways and their attachment is no less than the native people of the country. They have their significant role in the making of the country and also contributed in a number of fields which made the good identity of the nation. They have sacrificed their lives in the time of war and whenever required for the country, where they migrated. They and their children contributed in the development through a number of works, services and accepted the country as their own. Migration is a very old concept and usually it is not harmful for any country and if it causes some negative effects, it also has some very positive effects on the country where migration happens. People has always opted migrating to different places as per their conveniences but in recent times the trend of migration has been started getting attractions for a number of reasons. Politician also has played a huge role in highlighting this issue. They have created a fuss over in the brains of native people against the immigrants. The migration is usually done under certain compulsions. The act is more painful for an immigrant rather than a person who claims that his interests are being affected by the immigration. To stop the immigration, the world and especially the developed societies of the world should come forward and make some effective policies to improve the economic condition of poor countries that have been subjected to continuous exploitation of imperialistic powers and rich countries. Today the imperialistic countries are well off because they have exploited the people and resources of these countries and it is their moral obligation to improve the situation of poor countries by introducing effective policies.

Immigration Impact on Economy

Lots of studies have been conducted to access the impact of immigration on any economy. Decreasing wage rate and employment for residence of the country was always a major point of concern. People consider immigrants as a burden who uses their services but immigration is solution all those problems who are occurred due to shortage of skilled or unskilled labors. If we look at the bigger picture, immigration contributes towards increasing knowledge and economic gain. If we take the example of America the immigrant’s rate was much higher than present immigrant rate and it is not having any unfavorable impact on the America’s economy. Now we will examine how different factors impact on any economy.

Immigration impact on wages

Different types of skills are required for different type of tasks, manufacturing and production. Immigration help in bringing desired skills to the country at a reasonable cost. Companies who are contributing towards economy of nation get benefited by hiring good, desired skills at cheaper rate. The costs of production directly impact the final cost of goods hence companies are able to sell goods at cheaper rates. When the cost of goods is decreasing, quantity will also increase because increased number of people can afford those goods. Companies take advantage of cheap labor and sell their products in other countries which help in brining revenue and foreign exchange to the economy. Immigration also helps companies in understanding market of other countries in better way. Local people can explain better the need and test of consumers of their own countries. Companies who are planning to expand its business in other country can take advantage of skilled immigrants of that country. Immigration does not impact wages rate in great way because all goods required different skills. It helps in bringing more business to the companies and more revenue to the economy.

Immigration Impact on Employment

Immigration does not drastically impact the employment of native people of any country. We may take example of America where the rate of unemployment went down to 4.7 percent from 5.4 percent and wages also went up. Immigration is much required for any economy because of three reasons. 1. Immigration helps in keeping desired number of workforce and prevent from labor crisis situation. In any country where labor is getting older, immigration provide new young labor. 2. Immigration also maintains the ration between the number of worker to be retired and existing workers. 3. Immigration helps in increasing knowledge and innovation in any economy. In America the labor force have decreased near about four percent if they prevent immigrants. Many economists say that immigration help economy to grow swiftly without facing any major challenges from higher inflation. It benefits end consumers by providing goods at lower rate and companies to grow further.

Counter Argument

Like positive aspect, immigration also has its negative side. The countries having legal and illegal immigration face various challenges in terms of increasing population, expenditure, economy, socio-culture and security. Each and every year lot of people illegally migrate from one country to another and government bear the cost of their habitation. Immigrants are also responsible for occupying number of jobs from the native people of that country. Immigrants generally belong to poor country hence they work for lower wages with no additional benefits and incentives. Employer and companies also prefer to hire immigrants because it cost less to the employer. America spends around $ 200 billion each year as depressed wages. Many people believe that they slow down the economy. Based on survey conducted by financial times a large population around 40 to 50 percent in America, Britain, Spain, Germany and France believe that immigration is responsible for lowering down lifestyle in their country. They are not only responsible for declining health care system but also hamper education system. Overall a large population around 50 percent strongly feels that immigration has lot of negative Impact on the economy and life quality of people. Immigrants also cause danger to the country because it has been observed that they carry a number of communicable deceases with them. Countries do have certain checks to control spread of such communicable deceases but in absence of proper checking system, immigrants carry various deceases with them. Illegal immigration is one of the major ways to bring such deceases in a country where they could have eradicated. Such deceases can be very harmful and devastating for population. A substantial number of people stay even after expiring of their visa and other people who are legal but not well educated are huge burden on the government. Such people and illegal immigrants do not contribute towards taxes but use all common welfare services. Terrorist and smugglers are major threat to the security of any nation and they also get visa. There are various policies and procedures are in place to check all the issues but they also have some loopholes.

After having observed the abovementioned analysis it is good to conclude by saying that When a person migrates in a different country for any reasons, he does not go there with his mouth and stomach only but also he is equipped with two hands and two legs to work. Nobody feeds him or her for being guest in their country but he works very hard and earns his livelihood himself. He contributes in the production, manufacturing and this way economy of the country like a native worker. The migration is not bad and the people who have politicized the issue should reconsider and abstain from polluting the brains of native people against the immigrants.

Works Cited

Fairchild, Henry Pratt. Immigration - A World Movement and Its American Significance. United States: Read Books Design, 2009. Fetzer, J. S. Public Attitudes toward Immigration in the United States, France and Germany. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2002. Hunt, R.M. Friedberg and. "The impact of immigration on host country wages,employment and growth." Journal of Economic Perspectives (1995): 23-44. Nelson, N. Gaston and D. "Immigration and labour-market outcomes in the United States: A political-economy puzzle." Oxford Review of Economic (2000): 104-114. Purcell, L. Edward. Immigration. Phoenix: Greenwood Publishing Group, 1995.

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Immigration - Essay Examples And Topic Ideas For Free

Immigration refers to the movement of individuals from one country to another, often in search of better opportunities or to escape adversities. Essays on immigration could delve into the various causes of immigration, its impact on host and origin countries, and the policies governing immigration. Additionally, discussions might extend to the experiences of immigrants, and the global debates surrounding immigration and asylum. We’ve gathered an extensive assortment of free essay samples on the topic of Immigration you can find at PapersOwl Website. You can use our samples for inspiration to write your own essay, research paper, or just to explore a new topic for yourself.

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How To Write an Essay About Immigration

Understanding the intricacies of immigration.

Writing an essay on how to write an essay about immigration requires a deep understanding of the multifaceted nature of immigration itself. Immigration is a complex topic, encompassing legal, economic, cultural, and humanitarian aspects. It's essential to recognize that essays about immigration should address its diverse implications – from the challenges faced by immigrants to the impacts on host countries. This foundational understanding is crucial for guiding the exploration of how to approach various narratives, policies, and theories related to immigration. Consider including aspects such as the reasons behind immigration, the experiences of immigrants, the policies of different countries, and the societal reactions to immigration.

Structuring the Immigration Essay

The structure of your essay about writing an essay on immigration is key. Start with a compelling introduction that highlights the importance of accurately and empathetically discussing immigration. The thesis statement here should reflect the purpose of your guidance – whether to inform, argue, or analyze different aspects of immigration. The body of your essay should then be divided into coherent sections, each focusing on a key aspect of writing about immigration. Discuss how to construct an argument, the importance of using reliable data and sources, and the need for presenting a balanced view that considers both the challenges and contributions of immigrants. Ensure each part of the essay seamlessly connects to create a cohesive guide.

Addressing Challenges and Offering Strategies

In this part of the essay, focus on the challenges writers may face when crafting an essay on immigration and propose strategies to overcome these. One major challenge is the politicization of immigration, requiring a careful and unbiased approach. Another is the sensitivity of the topic, as it often involves vulnerable populations. Offer advice on maintaining objectivity while being empathetic, and stress the importance of cultural sensitivity. Suggest methods for thorough research and analysis, emphasizing the need to understand immigration laws and policies, as well as the socio-economic factors involved. Discuss the importance of acknowledging diverse perspectives and experiences in the essay to provide a comprehensive view of immigration.

Concluding with Purpose

The conclusion of your essay should do more than summarize the main points about writing an essay on immigration. It's an opportunity to reflect on the importance of understanding and discussing immigration in a responsible and informed manner. Emphasize the role of such essays in shaping public opinion and policy. Encourage writers to approach the topic of immigration with a commitment to fairness, accuracy, and empathy. A strong conclusion will not only wrap up your essay effectively but also inspire and guide future writers to approach the topic of immigration with the depth and respect it deserves.

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Top 10 Pro & Con Arguments

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Home — Essay Samples — Social Issues — Immigration to America — Argumentative Why Immigration Should Be Legal

Argumentative Why Immigration Should Be Legal

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Related Essays on Immigration to America

Throughout its history, the United States has been shaped and reshaped by waves of immigration. Immigration has played a central role in the development of the nation, contributing to its cultural, economic, and social fabric. [...]

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In the harrowing account of "The Devil's Highway" by Luis Alberto Urrea, the brutal reality of migration across the US-Mexico border is laid bare. This gripping narrative delves into the tragic journey of a group of Mexican [...]

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Works Cited

• Caplan, Bryan. “Carens on Nozick on Immigration.” Econlib, 19 Sept. 2018, www.econlib.org/carens-on-nozick-on-immigration/.
• Wellman, Christopher Heath. “Immigration.” Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy, Stanford University, 23 Mar. 2015, plato.stanford.edu/entries/immigration/.

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Immigration Essay

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Immigration Argumentative Paper

There are around 43.3 million foreign-born people living in the United States today. From the beginning of this country until now, immigrants have come to the US in search of a better life, better opportunity, or more simply put: the American Dream. Attitudes towards immigration throughout this time have been mostly up and down until the new Trump administration. Throughout his campaign, one of Donald Trump’s main promises was the idea of cracking down on illegal immigration. Since he has taken office, Trump has attempted to ban people from certain countries from coming into the United States, use billions of tax dollars to build a border wall, and even to destroy programs like DACA from helping immigrant students. Extreme vetting and general discriminations on immigration in America contradict the basic ethics and ideals on which it was founded and should be repealed in order to allow immigrants to help the US economy as they can.

On the basis of morals, immigration is a simple idea. Allowing people to come into the country for freedoms of all kinds and opportunity is something one should not even question. It is not the fault of these migrants that their country has a large drug problem, or that their country does not believe in religious freedom but instead, believes in terrorism. Education is another privilege that the countries people are migrating from do not have. These people just want a fair chance to live their life and have the opportunity to educate themselves in order to go into the workforce to possibly make a difference in the world. However, because of their birthplace or background, they are not able to go anywhere or do anything without the prejudice of American born citizens following them. Taking away the programs that are helping some of these immigrants to get a good education or not get deported disallows our country to be free, full of opportunity, and diverse. The US was created by immigrants and built on the ideals of freedom and equality which is why immigration and programs for immigrants should be permitted.

One problem that makes immigration this “taboo” topic, is the system which is needed to migrate in the first place. The immigration system, which allows or disallows immigrants to come into the United States, is majorly outdated and ineffective in general. This system has not been touched or adapted in any way since 1986. The effects of this neglect are shown in the rising budget of the immigration system, the numbers of people being put into detention centers, and how difficult it is to become a citizen or even get residency in the US. These issues surrounding the system of immigration in America are the causes of why there are so many undocumented or illegal immigrants coming into the United States. If the president and Congress collaborated on legislative reforms for the system, it could one day be fixed, fixing along with it, the problem of illegal immigration.

Allowing people from other countries come into the US and work can actually be beneficial for America. The immigrants that come to America for work are not intentionally attempting to steal jobs from Americans. While it may seem that they are limiting jobs for American citizens, this is not entirely the case. People migrating to the US want any job they can get in order to make a life for themselves in this country. They take the cheap labor jobs that no American wants. This makes the economy grow because they are doing important jobs for almost no money. With these immigrant workers, the GDP is also raised because they are aiding the productivity of the country. Immigrants are also more innovative and more often become entrepreneurs. Many of the billion dollar companies in the US were created by legal immigrants. Most of these people also came to the US on a student visa which proves the importance of programs for migrant students and workers. From each of these billion dollar companies made by non-American born citizens, 760 jobs are created. People coming to the US from other countries are also more likely to go into a science or math career which is also a need for the economy.

Ultimately immigration is good for the economy because these immigrants allow the economy to prosper. These people are human just like the rest of the American-born population, so this extreme vetting and discrimination against them just goes to show the prejudice and pride the society holds. Taking the time to correct the immigration system might actually help to solve many of the problems people see with allowing migrants to come into the country. Once some of the inefficiencies with the system have been sorted out a domino effect may take place and those opposed to immigration may finally be able to see where treating other people with respect and equality can benefit them as well.

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Wharton@Work

July 2024 |  Reading List

• Shattering Myths: Five Truths About Immigration

Cutting through the noise with compelling evidence and hard facts, The Truth About Immigration has already ignited conversations across the political spectrum. Challenging readers to reconsider their preconceived biases and long-held beliefs, self-professed “accidental immigration scholar” Zeke Hernandez offers a meticulously researched, enlightening exploration of the global hot-button issue. The greatest takeaway from Wharton@Work ’s discussion with the author? Immigration isn’t just good for immigrants. The economic and social benefits they bring are critical to our national well-being.

Wharton@Work: For centuries, immigrants have been vilified as out to take our jobs, making our communities unsafe, and undermining our culture. What are the origins of those misconceptions?

Zeke Hernandez: It's part of what I label the villain argument in the book. It comes from the fact that we have inherited and believe a series of mental models of how the economy works that are just flat-out wrong. For example, we assume that when a new person moves into a community, they compete for the jobs of natives. That's based on the assumption that every worker in the economy is identical and people only come to the economy and work. But we don't stop to think of what those workers do with their paycheck. It turns out they have to spend it. And so more workers also means more consumers, which means that businesses have to grow.

We only think of immigrants in a really one-dimensional way. If I describe your contribution to the economy by saying you fill a job and that's all you do, that's obviously preposterous. Yes, you fill a job, but you also are a consumer. You're a taxpayer. You might have an idea, you might start a business, you might invest. In any community, there are many people that do all of those things. But somehow when it comes to immigrants, we think about them only as workers. We also know from decades of research that immigrants are much less likely than natives to commit crimes or be incarcerated.

W@W: What about the view of immigrants as helpless victims who need charity?

ZH: In every country, the most common alternative to the villain story is the victim story, the tired and poor huddled masses in the poem on the Statue of Liberty. While it's true that there are some immigrants who need a helping hand when they arrive, they soon become net contributors. The victim story might make us feel good because we're being compassionate and helpful, but it's another false mental model. It ignores the fact that new people do all of the things I just mentioned. When I say that those two narratives are wrong, it's not my opinion. I've been studying this for 20 years and this is what the data very clearly show. And so, in an interesting way, whether you think immigrants are villains or victims, and most people think one or the other, you are completely mischaracterizing what a new person does when they arrive in an economy and in a community and in a society. Immigrants don't need your fear and they often don't need your compassion.

W@W: How do you quantify immigrants’ impact on their new communities and countries?

ZH: If we focus on just economic benefits, there are at least five and they're all quantifiable. The first is greater investment where immigrants settle, which happens in at least two ways: immigrants are 80 percent more likely to start businesses than natives. They put their own capital into your community, which in turn creates jobs. And immigrants are magnets for investment by companies from their home country. Wherever they go, immigrants create more investment through those two avenues.

The reason I start with investment is because investment is a seed of every other economic benefit. If no one's investing in your community or in your country, that's it. There will be nothing else. The second benefit is that immigrants bring more of what I call highbrow and lowbrow innovation. On the highbrow side, think of everything from patents to high-technology products. Immigrants represent just 16 percent of inventors in the U.S., but they're responsible for 36 percent of all patents.

Immigrants are just 14 percent of the population, but they start a quarter of all businesses in the United States. If you narrow it down to businesses that grow to be valued at a billion dollars or more, or businesses in the Fortune 500, about half were started by immigrants. It’s a population that punches way above its weight when it comes to innovation. But I also think it's very important to talk about what I call lowbrow innovation — everyday things that we spend our time and money on, that we like, that we enjoy, that are introduced not because of a brilliant individual immigrant with a PhD, but because there's a critical mass of people from different backgrounds. That includes foods — everything from sriracha sauce to pasta, to pizza, to hamburgers, to sushi — and activities, from doing yoga, to listening to salsa music, to playing basketball. Those are all immigrant contributions.

The third benefit is that immigrants fill our public coffers. Were it not for foreign-born people, our fiscal system would be in deep, deep trouble. The average immigrant contributes, in net present value terms, $260,000 in taxes to the United States. Multiply that by all the immigrants and it’s over $10 trillion in taxes that the U.S. would miss out on. That's a net present value, so it's a much larger amount over time. Think of our programs like Social Security and Medicare. Our birth rates aren't keeping up to fund them, so the only place we're going to find taxpayers is bringing in new people.

Jobs are the fourth benefit. Immigrants are net job creators. I can't say that strongly enough because whenever people talk about immigrants in the economy, the most common concern is that immigrants take jobs away from natives. That's not true. But even more importantly — and this is the part we never get to — is that at best we say that immigrants fill job shortages on farms or in construction or in manufacturing. And while that's true, there's a very big difference between saying immigrants plug in labor shortages and saying that immigrants create jobs for native workers. That's actually what the evidence shows.

Immigrants create jobs through all the reasons I just explained: investment, innovation, and new businesses. Because of immigrants’ inventions, there are many tech start-ups that create jobs, and because of their labor, existing businesses are able to do more than they could without them. A good example is a restaurant: many new immigrants don't speak English very well, but they are very grateful to take a dishwashing or cooking job while they get their feet wet in the U.S. economy. That allows a restaurant to stay open and create more jobs.

Finally, the fifth benefit is a matter of skill and talent. There are a lot of areas in our economy where immigrants bring new and different skills and talents. The one that's most obvious is in science and engineering, where immigrants represent over a third of the workforce with bachelor's degrees and just about half of the workforce with graduate degrees. If you're talking about AI, over half of PhDs in the U.S. that have skills in AI are foreign-born; without them, you don't get ChatGPT, you don't get Microsoft's Bing or Apple Intelligence. And that's true not just in AI, but in biotech, in engineering, and in so many other fields.

W@W: So, is it fair to say that by severely limiting immigration, we lose those benefits?

ZH: We not only lose all of those benefits, but you create harm for America and Americans. You hurt the economy, you hurt workers, you hurt innovation, and you hurt national security. We have evidence that that happens: as a result of the 1920s immigration quotas, U.S.-born scientists, who would have collaborated with southern and eastern European scientists, became nearly 70 percent less inventive. U.S.-born workers also lost jobs: to this day, 100 years later, places that lost the most immigrants to those restrictive quotas receive less investment and make less investment. It’s not speculation about the damage those quotes created — it's well documented.

W@W: You are a business school professor. What is your message for business leaders?

ZH: Even though I'm talking about issues that are big picture, affecting our macro economy and our society, this is very much a business issue, because thriving businesses ultimately benefit our economies and our communities. All five of the benefits created by immigration are done through business, either because immigrants work in a business or they start a business of their own. It's businesses that make investments in communities. It's businesses where most innovation happens. It's businesses that create products that people consume. It's businesses that hire talent. And it's businesses that pay many of the taxes that fill our public coffers. I would hope that business leaders understand that immigration is much more than something they vote on every four years. Immigration is central to the ability of a business to thrive.

W@W: Why do you describe yourself as an “accidental immigration scholar”?

ZH: I didn't set out to study immigration when I started graduate school. I really wanted to understand the connection between business and economic growth, in part because of my upbringing in Latin America. I saw and was moved by a lot of poverty, and I wanted to understand what creates economic growth, particularly the role of business, because I'd also noticed that a new business does more to alleviate poverty than a lot of aid money, because the business is creating jobs and bringing investment and revitalizing a community. I accidentally backed into immigration as a variable I couldn't ignore, because it turns out that if you want a healthy flow of capital, investment, innovation, ideas, and jobs, you need people and the movement of people. And so, I realized I can't separate the economy or economic growth from people. I’ve spent 20 years very slowly and painstakingly doing the research to discover all the ways in which the movement of people is central to all the things that you and I want for a healthy community. Bad mental models have us think of the economy as money and fed speak and interest rates, but none of that's the economy. Those are indicators of the economy. The real thing is people. I don't want to oversimplify it, but it took me a long time to realize that in some ways, it's conceptually that simple.

W@W: You end the book with a call for “factual optimism.” With those misguided mental models still at the forefront of the discussion of immigration, what makes you optimistic?

ZH: There's a big disconnect between what the headlines say and what politicians say and what people actually feel. Seventy percent of Americans think immigrants are a good thing for this country. Less than a third want immigrants deported. The majority of Americans want those Mexican workers to remain, even if they're not here with legal authorization, because they recognize the good they do. People who deal in reality, like business owners, mayors, and city council members, understand that we need immigrants to balance the budget, to create and fill jobs, to attract investment.

The problem is with a small but highly motivated minority that does very well by pushing the victim narrative — and they have disproportionate influence in our media and in our public discourse. So, while I acknowledge the political fights and the dysfunction that we have in this country, I think that the majority is already positively inclined and open to the facts. I think that's what the data tell us. Part of the reason I wrote this book was to say that exactly 100 years after we passed restrictive quotas, we can't make the same mistake again. Here are talking points. Here are facts. Here are numbers.

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Argumentative Essay Topics on Immigration

Argumentative essay topics on immigration are titles that help students understand more about immigration and the parameters around it. These topics are instrumental in helping students to develop research skills, analytical skills and writing skills. Students will also get more ideas on how to persuade their readers or audience.

Today’s world is very diverse and its always changing. This makes it quite difficult to grasp the information that is current and relevant. These topics ensure that you get relevant information when deciding what to write about. Selecting a topic is the biggest challenge students face. Picking the right topic will determine the success of your assignment. Choosing a bad topic will bring down the quality of your work.

These argumentative essay topics on immigration are carefully selected to bring out the different aspects of immigration. The topics are instrumental in fostering student’s skills. Writing on any of these topics will help students generate the right information. The essay topics on immigration can be a bit technical to write about but they are quite informative. Students should select a topic that they are interested in and not generic topics which may be challenging for them to write about.

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How we should update our views on immigration

• Current Affairs

I am writing this post on a somewhat bumpy plane ride, so I will try doing it without links.  Most of the relevant sources you can find through perplexity.Ai, or even on MR itself.  Google too.

Overall, I am distressed by the contagion effects when it comes to immigration views.  A large number of people are much more anti-immigration than they used to be, in part because yet others are more anti-immigration.  All sorts of anecdotes circulate.  But let’s look more systematically at what we have learned about immigration in the last ten years or so.  Not all of it should count as pro-immigration, but a lot of it should, with one huge caveat.

When it comes to the wage effects of immigration, there is very modest additional evidence in the positive direction.  I wouldn’t put much weight on that, but it certainly is not pointing in the other direction.

The United States is showing it can have a higher stock of immigrants and also falling crime rates.  I am not suggesting a causal model there, but again that should be more reassuring than not.

There is additional evidence for the positive fiscal benefits of immigrants, including less skilled immigrants.  Some of this is from the CBO, some of it I outlined in a Bloomberg column maybe a month or so ago.  I don’t view those results as major revisions, but again they are not pointing in the wrong direction.

There is reasonable though not decisive macroeconomic evidence that immigrant labor supply was a significant contributor to America’s strong post-pandemic recovery.

If you are a right-winger who was worried that incoming Latinos would vote Democratic in some huge percentage, you can set your mind at ease on that one.  You also can take this as evidence of a particular kind of assimilation.

Fertility rates are falling much more than we had expected, including in the United States.  This makes the case for immigration much stronger.

It is increasingly evident that immigrant-rich Florida and Texas are doing just great.  The picture is decidedly less positive for many parts of California, but I suppose I see evidence that the white Progressive Left is mainly at fault there, not the immigrants. Still, I do think you can make a reasonable argument that immigrants and the Progressive Left interact in a dysfunctional manner.  It is no surprise to me that so many of the leading anti-immigrant voices come from California.

Overall, I am struck by the fact that immigration critics do not send me cost-benefit studies, nor do they seem to commission them.  If the case against immigration is so strong, why aren’t these studies created and then sent to me?  You could have a good one for a few hundred thousand dollars, right?  Instead, in my emails and the like I receive a blizzard of negative emotion, and all sorts of anecdotal claims about how terrible various things are, but never a decent CBA.  I take that to be endogenous.  I think it is widely accepted that America having taken in the people who are now Italian-Americans would pass a cost-benefit test, even though the Mafia ruled New Jersey and Rhode Island for decades.  Somehow people are less keen to apply this same kind of reasoning looking forward, though they are happy to regale you with tales of crimes by current immigrants.

I do see good evidence that trust in American government is falling, but I attribute that mainly to the Martin Gurri effect.  I mean look at the current gaslighters in the White House and in the media — they are not primarily immigrants, quite the contrary.  Or all the Covid mistakes, were they due to “the immigrants”?  I don’t see it.

Now let us look at knowledge updates on the other side of the ledger, namely new knowledge that should make us more skeptical about immigration.

We now see that external hostility to Israel and Taiwan is stronger than we had thought.  So the case for a looser immigration policy in Israel is much weaker than it used to be.  As for Taiwan, they should be more careful about letting in mainland Chinese.  Estonia needs to be more wary about letting in Russians, and indeed they are.  And there might be other countries where this kind of logic applies.  Do I really know so much about the situation between Burundi and Rwanda?  In general, as the level of conflict in the world rises, there will be more of these cases.  It is also a major consideration for anywhere near Ukraine.  Small countries need to worry about this most of all.

I should note this problem does not seem to apply to North America, though you might require tougher security clearances for some jobs currently held by Chinese migrants.

The second issue, and it is a biggie, is that voters dislike immigration much, much more than they used to.  The size of this effect has been surprising, and also the extent of its spread.  I am writing this post on Election Day in France, and preliminary results suggest a very real risk that France ends up ungovernable.  Immigrants are clearly a major factor in this outcome, even under super-benign views that do not “blame” the immigrants themselves at all.

Versions of this are happening in many countries, not just a few, and often these are countries that previously were fairly well governed.

I think it is better for countries in such positions to be much tougher on immigration, rather than to suffer these kinds of political consequences.

But let’s look honestly at the overall revision to our views.  Politics is stupider and less ethical than before, including when it comes immigration (but not only!  Fellow citizens also have become more negative about other fellow citizens of differing views, and I view negativism as the root of the problem all around).  We need to take that into account, and so all sorts of pro-migration dreams need to be set aside for the time being, at least in many countries.  Nonetheless the actual practical consequences of immigration, political backlash excluded, are somewhat more positive than we had thought.  For some smaller countries, however, that may not hold, Israel being the easiest example to grasp but not the only.  In the longer run, we also would like to prepare for the day when higher levels of immigration might resume, even if that currently seems far off.  So we shouldn’t talk down immigration per se .  Instead we should try to combat excess negativism in many spheres of life.

Somehow that view is too complicated for people to process, and so instead they instinctively jump on the anti-immigration bandwagon.  Too much negativism.  But in fact my view is better than theirs, and so they ought to hold it.

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Opinion Are the justices re-examining same-sex marriage?

Majority’s ruling in an immigration case could signal an appetite to revisit marriage equality.

Is the Supreme Court’s conservative majority plotting to chip away at the right to same-sex marriage or other constitutional protections? The liberal justices seem to think so and issued an ominous warning to that effect in a dissent on Friday as part of an otherwise obscure immigration case.

The case, Department of State v. Muñoz , involves Sandra Muñoz, a California woman and U.S. citizen, whose husband, Luis Asencio-Cordero, a citizen of El Salvador, wanted to enter the United States to live with his wife and child, also a U.S. citizen. An officer at the U.S. Consulate in San Salvador refused him entry, finding that Asencio-Cordero was a member of the MS-13 gang, partly on the basis of his religious tattoos. Asencio-Cordero denied gang membership.

Under U.S. immigration law, noncitizens don’t have the right to challenge visa denials in court. But Muñoz claimed that the refusal to give her husband a visa infringed what she said was her fundamental right to live with her spouse in the United States, part of the protection of the right to marriage that the court has said is guaranteed under the Constitution.

The court rejected that argument. “A citizen does not have a fundamental liberty interest in her noncitizen spouse being admitted to the country,” Justice Amy Coney Barrett wrote for the majority .

Such a right, she said, is not “deeply rooted in this Nation’s history and traditions,” citing a 1997 case that has become the touchstone for determining (or, in the case of abortion , limiting) the scope of constitutional rights not specifically outlined in the text.

You can guess the reason for the liberal justices’ worry here. The first sentence in the dissent, written by Justice Sonia Sotomayor, comes from Obergefell v. Hodges , the 2015 case establishing the right of same-sex couples to marry. That was a 5-4 decision by a far different court; two members of the majority, Justice Anthony M. Kennedy and Ruth Bader Ginsburg, have now been replaced, by Justices Brett M. Kavanaugh and Barrett.

The majority could have disposed of this case, Sotomayor argued, simply by declaring that Muñoz had received all the process she was due — an explanation from authorities about why the visa was refused. (Justice Neil M. Gorsuch made the same point, concurring in the outcome, but not joining the majority opinion.)

“That could and should have been the end of it,” Sotomayor said. “Instead, the majority swings for the fences.” Its approach to the constitutional right to marriage, she warned, is inconsistent with the understanding it outlined in Obergefell — and its assurances in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization , its 2022 decision eliminating constitutional protection for abortion rights, that other precedents were not at risk.

The majority in Dobbs disclaimed any interest in revisiting other decisions, including Obergefell, grounded in unenumerated rights. (Justice Clarence Thomas would have gone all the way, undoing decisions establishing protection for married couples to obtain contraceptives, for gay couples to engage in sexual behavior, and for same-sex marriage.)

“Despite the majority’s assurance two Terms ago that its eradication of the right to abortion ‘does not undermine … in any way’ other entrenched substantive due process rights such as the right to marry,’ ‘the right to reside with relatives,’ and ‘the right to make decisions about the education of one’s children,’ the Court fails at the first pass,” Sotomayor warned.

Most immediately, she said, the risk is to same-sex couples, who often can’t safely live together in other countries. Yet she intimated there was more going on here. The majority, she said, “makes the same fatal error it made in Dobbs ,” requiring “too careful” a description of the claimed “fundamental liberty interest.” This reads like the first salvo in the battle over the scope of unenumerated constitutional rights unleashed by Dobbs.

The majority responded that the dissenters were leaping to unwarranted conclusions. Its basic message to the liberals was that they should chill out. “To be clear: Today’s decision does not remotely call into question any precedent of this Court, including those protecting marriage as a fundamental right,” Barrett wrote in a footnote.

So, how fearful should we be about the threat to same-sex marriage? If the question were to come up for the first time today, I doubt the court would reach the same result as in Obergefell and declare a sweeping new constitutional right. At the same time — and, yes, I know how cavalierly they tossed aside precedent in Dobbs — I doubt that even this court is about to upend the national legal landscape again and eliminate the right to marriage equality.

Still, Barrett and her fellow conservative justices are clearly not inclined to any broad reading of the Constitution and its unenumerated rights. As Gorsuch and the dissenters pointed out, they could have ducked the constitutional question and decided Muñoz on narrower grounds. Instead, they opted to reiterate the importance of restricting constitutional protections to only those “deeply rooted in history and tradition.” Was this a signal? An invitation? That the liberal justices are nervous should worry us all.

Go vote, parties tell French voters ahead of cliffhanger runoff

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Russian drone attack on Ukraine hits energy facility in Sumy region

Russia launched an overnight drone attack across Ukraine on Saturday, hitting an energy facility in the Sumy region in the northeast of the country, officials said.

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Morning Briefing: Asia Pacific Edition

Thursday briefing: what’s at stake in britain’s elections.

Plus, an ally said Biden is considering leaving the race.

By Daniel E. Slotnik

Against the tide

By Mark Landler

Britain goes to the polls today after a campaign that featured the same ingredients as other elections across Europe and the Americas: frustrated voters eager to reject the status quo, a deeply discredited government and a dash of populism — in this case, represented by the insurgent candidacy of Nigel Farage.

But Britain is likely to emerge from the election as an outlier. While the electorates in other countries are shifting to the right, British voters are expected to evict the Conservative-led government after 14 years, in favor of the center-left Labour Party. In today’s newsletter, I’ll explain why Britain is zigging while others are zagging.

Tory tumult

The Conservatives, or Tories, have presided over a tumultuous era that began with David Cameron in 2010. It included harsh budget cuts after the financial crisis of 2008, the Brexit vote of 2016, the Covid pandemic and a revolving door of prime ministers. For many, it has been a circus that now needs to leave town.

Boris Johnson was drummed out of office after serial scandals. (Among other things, he held parties during a Covid lockdown he had imposed.) Liz Truss lasted less than 50 days after the financial markets turned savagely against her proposed tax cuts. The current prime minister, Rishi Sunak, has steadied the ship but failed to give restless voters much of an argument for keeping his party in power.

Beyond the constant drama, Labour politicians claim the Conservatives have broken Britain. They say: Cuts have starved the country’s revered National Health Service, leading to overcrowded emergency rooms and monthslong waits for elective surgery.

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