Reasons for immigration to the USA

America is a land of immigrants. Many people have moved there for centuries. The main reasons for this are:

1. THE AMERICAN DREAM – the belief that if you work hard you can achieve anything, no matter who you are.

2. DEMOCRACY – the people have a direct say in how the country is run by electing their representatives. The Rights of the people are protected by the constitution.

3. CAPITALISM – the main ideas of capitalism are profit motive, private ownership, the market and competition. This means that many people in the USA have become very rich.

Factors affecting immigration

PUSH (negative) PULL (positive)

Poverty Freedom of speech

War climate

Loss of religious freedom Religious freedom

Health Good healthcare

Family The American Dream

Loss of political freedom Democracy

Education Good education for all

• BBC News - The changing state of US ethnicity

• There are approximately 40million immigrants in the USA.• In 2011, the number of illegal immigrants was estimated at

11.5million.• 58% of the illegal immigrants are from Mexico.• The illegal immigrant population grew by 27% between 2000

and 2009, according to the Department of Homeland Security.• Twenty-four percent of illegal immigrants reside in California;

16% reside in Texas.

ARGUMENTS FOR & AGAINST IMMIGRATIONFOR IMMIGRATON AGAINST IMMIGRATION

Ethnic diversity is a cause for celebration. The USA was founded on immigration.

Wage levels are forced down by immigrants.

They often do jobs Americans don’t want to do. Employers want cheap labour and immigrants keep wages low. This keeps the USA competitive.

Cultural problems due to a lack of integration. Immigrants work alongside others but live separately. Culture being over-whelmed in some areas where English is no longer the first language.

Immigrants are young, economically active and often skilled. They are a net asset not on welfare and contributing to the economy.

Times of recession immigrants blamed for taking jobs that Americans could do.

Immigration can reduce crime. Immigrants want to stay on the country and live in good neighbourhoods.

Immigration costs the taxpayer money in terms of health, education and welfare payments. 33% of immigrants use at least one welfare program but only 19% of native citizens do.

Immigrants bring new skills and create new jobs – particularly true of Asians.

2008 Mexican gangs identified as biggest organised crime threat. This could be interpreted as Immigrants cause crime.

FEDERAL V STATE GOVERNMENT

• The Federal Government under different Presidents has recognized the benefits of immigrants to the USA and has pushed to find a solution to the problems of illegal immigration.

• However some State Governments have expressed concerns over illegal immigration especially those closer to the Mexican border such as Arizona and California.

FEDERAL AND STATE RESPONSES TO IMMIGRATION

• In 1994 the people of California voted for PROPOSITION 187 which prevented illegal immigrants from accessing basic services such as education and health. This was subsequently declared unconstitutional by the Supreme Court. It does however show that stricter immigration laws have popular support in certain parts of the USA like California.

• In 2004 Bush’s Guest worker program attempted to recognise the economic benefits of immigrants. It allowed US employers to sponsor non-US citizens. The president's proposal would allow foreign workers to enter the country for a fixed period, probably 3 years, to fill jobs that go unwanted by Americans. They would then be forced to leave at the end of their term. Bush said. "The American people should not have to choose between being a welcoming society and a lawful society. We can have both at the same time.”

• It failed in Congress and was not passed. It was seen as an attempt by Bush to give back to illegal immigrants recognising their contribution to the economy.

BUSH’S GUEST WORKER PROGRAM

IMMIGRATION REGULATION SINCE 9/11

• Before 9/11 immigration was mainly an economic issue, but since then it has become more to do with security. Laws and regulations have been significantly tightened in the last few years.

2001 – Bush introduced the Patriot Act and the Border Security Act. Both restricted and controlled the entry of immigrants into the USA. In addition the border wall between the USA and Mexico was expanded and the number of border patrol Agents increased to a high of 16,500.

OBAMA’S POLICIES

• Obama has continued some immigration policies introduced by President Bush.

• Comprehensive Immigration Reform Act, 2010 – this has increased funding for security at ports and improved the training of staff so that the rights of immigrants are protected. In addition the Act ensures that states will not be allowed to discriminate against people based on their immigration status.

• Obama has also increased the number of border Patrol Agents even further.

ARIZONA

In 2010 Arizona Governor Jan Brewer (R) introduced a State law allowing the police to query the immigration status of anyone they stop and allowing the state to close businesses that hire illegal immigrants.

Obama took this to the Federal Court challenging whether or not the State has the right to pass this law.

On 5th September 2012 a federal judge ruled that the law was constitutional and law enforcement authorities are now required to check the immigration status of individuals they suspect are in the country illegally.

ATTITUDES TO IMMIGRATION IN CONGRESS

• In Congress there are groups of Representatives with different views.

• Reclaim American jobs caucus (41 members)– They have a negative view of immigration and argue that 15 million Americans citizens are unemployed while 8 million illegal immigrants have American jobs.

• Hispanic caucus (23 members) – They have a positive view of immigration and support Obama’s Comprehensive Immigration Reform Act 2010 which they believe will protect immigrants from exploitation especially from employers.

A caucus is a meeting of members of a group or subgroup to discuss issues and make decisions.

THE MINUTEMEN

• The Minutemen are an important anti-immigration group established in 2006.

• It is very active in states bordering Mexico such as Arizona, California and Texas.

• Volunteers patrol the border to stop illegal immigrants entering the country.

• They claim they act within the law and are supported by all ethnic groups.

ESSAY

• “Attitudes towards immigration in the USA have hardened in recent years”. Discuss.

15 marks

• Discuss essays include a statement. There is an implied question in that statement – have attitudes towards immigration in the USA have hardened in recent years?

• The simple answer is yes.

ESSAY PLAN – • Brief introduction – you will show that attitudes have hardened in

recent years both public attitudes and Government responses.

• Main Part - Prioritise your main arguments, using the issues you understand best and have examples for.

• Write each paragraph using SEE, Statement, Explain/expand, Example.

• Look at different attitudes towards immigration – i.e. arguments for and against. Include public opinion and Government responses at state and Federal level.

• To show that attitudes have hardened compare examples in the 1990’s (proposition 187, Bush’s Guest worker program) and more recently (the reaction after 9/11, Patriot act, Obama’s policies, Arizona’s recent law and public responses like the Minutemen).

• If possible include simple stats that show how big a problem immigration is and in particular illegal immigration in the USA.

• Conclusion – • You have shown that attitudes have hardened primarily as a

reaction to 9/11. • The focus has moved from economic issues to one of security. • In times of recession like now migrant workers are often blamed for

unemployment levels amongst Americans and the Government and the public will react accordingly.