Magallanes

ENG 1010
Jason Roberts
Fall 2015
Sergio Magallanes
Professor Jason P. Roberts
English 1010
18 November 2015

Synthesis Position paper

Immigration is a highly emotional, highly controversial issue for most Americans. And even
though Americans are immigrant descendants themselves, once they are removed one or two
generations from their immigrant relatives, from what I have observed, there is a clear hostility
towards immigrants from a section of the American population dating back to the end of the
American Civil War, and continuing up to this date. This is when the first wave of mass
immigrants began moving to America. A prime example of this rhetoric is best exemplified by
Donald Trump and his racist comments about Mexican immigrants during his kick off
presidential campaign. This is the transcript of what he said according to the Washington Post
When Mexico sends its people, theyre not sending their best. Theyre not sending you. Theyre
not sending you. Theyre sending people that have lots of problems, and theyre bringing those
problems with us. Theyre bringing drugs. Theyre bringing crime. Theyre rapists. And some, I
assume, are good people. Then he stated, What can be simpler or more accurately stated? The

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Mexican Government is forcing their most unwanted people into the United States. They are, in
many cases, criminals, drug dealers, rapists, etc. Basically, Trump is generalizing- making a
stereotype of an ethnic group which is bad in itself because that leads to discrimination,
furthermore he is polarizing Americans. Instead of helping unify Americans as conservatives
claim to want to have one homogeneous group, one America, this rhetoric divides America. In
addition his claims are largely untrue. I see Mexican people, or descendants of Mexican
immigrants that are successful in America. To mention a few successful people in America
Alejandro Gonzales Inarritu is a Mexican Hollywood film director- who won the Academy
award for Best directing, Best original play, and Best picture for Bridman, or Selena Gomez a
Mexican American singer, I could also mention highly successful individuals close to home, the
president of Somos Foundation, Mario Arreas a Mexican immigrant now a successful lawyer.
While I dont discard Trumps comments as completely untruthful because of the Mexican drug
Cartel, or the Latin American gangs such as the M (Mexican Mafia), or La MaraSalvatrucha.
There is evidence to the progress and contribution Mexicans, Mexican Americans, and all
Hispanics are making to the economy as well as to the American society. America is and has
always been a country of immigrants, but even as this has been a fact of American life for
centuries, the way in which American identity is challenged and forced to change because of the
new comers is one of the main reasons this fear and hostility towards immigrants occurs.
Misinformation, in addition to ignorance about this issue are two factors that contribute
immensely to the anti-immigrant sentiment there is today in certain parts of the American
society. In other words, this is contributing to the nativism, wanting to protect the interest of
native born established citizens- keeping the status quo to a point of being xenophobic.
Consequently this nativist rhetoric produces prejudice and discrimination. Three solution that

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will help solve the immigration issue are understanding the push and pull factor contributing to
people immigrating to the United States, knowing the contribution immigrants make to the
economy and society, and finally knowing how the government manages this issue can help
Americans be more open to immigrants and create the change that is needed.
Understanding why people migrate to America is of the utmost importance to really begin
to create the ideas that are constructive and comprehensive to fix our immigration system. While
on the surface one might assume that America is the greatest country on earth, and this is the
reason people want to come here. This stance, which in a sense is ethnocentric, will not let
people see what other factors might contribute more strongly which encourage people to come to
America. This stance does not really answer the why, and the what to do to help sender countries
(the country from which people immigrate to the U.S.), to curve, or diminish the outflow of
people. According to the article Illegal Immigration from Mexico to the United States by
Hanson H. Gordon mass migration did not really began from Mexico until the early 1990s. He
states Differences in earnings between the United States and Mexico are one factor that
contributes to the Mexico-U.S. migration. And to point this difference one U.S. dollar is
approximately 16-17 Mexican pesos given the day and the exchange rate of that day. Now the
minimum salary for a full day of work in Mexico is about 70 Mexican pesos in the country
which is less than $7 dollars a day in the U.S. With this difference in mind, it is easier to see why
people decide to come over. Gordon also states that immigration increases due to the economic
instability of the sending country. In this case, during the early 90s in Mexico there was an
economic down turn, and the peso was devaluated. In addition to that, the North American Free
Trade Agreement (NAFTA) was created and signed in 1993; in one pen stroke the fate of
millions of small farmers was sealed. NAFTA has generated millions of jobs in the cities that

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helped lift people out of poverty in Mexico and made big corporations and their owners richer on
both sides on the border. However, the unintended consequence was that poor rural Mexican
farmers and their hired hands began moving north. The cheaper corn produced in the United
States that began flowing south after NAFTA was signed made it impossible for Mexican
farmers to sell theirs at decent prices to make a profit. Mexican farmers could not compete. In
short, before the 1990s moving north only appealed to a select few, now people began moving
from Mexico to the United States in mass.
On the other side of the border, in the United States, the pull factor was truer than ever.
During the 1990s there were more jobs available in the United States in agriculture, hotel
industry, restaurants, construction, and other low skill labor intensive jobs that needed to be
filled. But the available pool labor to fill those jobs was not enough. The ready, available, young
able workers coming from Mexico filled those jobs. The pay was bad, the work hard and
demanding physically, to a large section of the American citizenry, it did not appeal then and it
still does not appeal much now. In contrast, to a Mexican immigrant, making around 30 Mexican
pesos a day back then, coming to America and making minimum wage was and is still better than
in Mexico. It is only logical that immigrants will want to work no matter the workplace
conditions, and they came. After the economy expanded tremendously during the 90s, the 20072008 financial meltdowns hit Americans by surprise. Suddenly these immigrants were not
helping for a cheaper price, now they were stealing jobs from Americans.
We have now more than 11 million illegal people living in the United States. They are
now seen as a problem. Radical conservative voices have existed for a long time, however over
the last decade or so they have gathered more and more influence on the American society.

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Conservatives now are advocating for conservative comprehensive immigration reform. As in the
case of William W. Chip an international lawyer based in Washington. In his article he argues
for implementing the recommendations of the Jordan Commission, enabling G-verify, clarifying
birthright citizenship, and issuing transitional visas to illegals should they qualify as immigration
reform that is conservative as well as comprehensive. On the surface the points listed above
make sense, however if these recommendations are implemented with what is called border
enforcement first and aggressive deportation practices in the interior, it would create social chaos
in the immigrant community, having the greater impact on the Hispanic community because the
majority of immigrants today in the United States are Hispanics. Additionally, it will result in the
distrust of government. And on the economic side, the industries mentioned above will suffer
economically, and shrink because the workers needed to perform the job are not available. For
example, conservative immigration reform requires undocumented immigrants to go back first to
their countries, to then be allowed to come in legally. Who in their right mind would go back to
their country of origin and risk losing their livelihoods in the United States, breaking up their
families in the process to see if they are allowed to come back legally after months and months
of waiting because they will have to wait months there while their paper work is processing, and
a visa to come back legally is not a guarantee.
Some of the recommendations of the Jordan Commission are first a scale back of family
chain-migration by implementing a prioritization of nuclear family relationships to determine
who will be admitted through family-based immigration. Spouses and minor children of US
citizens would continue to be admitted as first priority, second a focus on the admission of
highly-skilled individuals whose skills would benefit our society. The idea of admitting highly

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skilled immigrant is good because it will help become the economy more productive and also
expand. Another recommendation is the elimination of the admission of unskilled workers and
elimination of the diversity visa lottery. However, eliminating low skill visas will result in
economic damage to businesses and the American society will keep having second class citizens
that the status quo has been creating. And finally stressed that deportation is crucial Credibility
in immigration policy can be summed up in one sentence: those who should get in get in; those
who should be kept out, are kept out; and those who should not be here will be required to
leave. Barbara Jordan stated. In this case, if immigration enforcement laws reach 100%, a path
bringing those undocumented resident already here out of the shadows is necessary at the same
time, without asking them to leave first because this point creates much opposition. A
compromise must be reached and that is making illegal immigrants legal, and enforcing
immigration laws at the same time. Chip also argues for G-verify which is mandatory
verification of prospective employees by employers thru the government immigration system.
This is to make it harder for undocumented workers to find work in the United States
consequently immigrants are been force dipper into the informal economy making them easy
target for exploitation- modern day slavery. And finally he encourages a revision of birthright
citizenship. The intention of conservatives for wanting this clarification is because they want to
end having the babies of illegal moms become automatically U.S. citizens by being born in U.S.
soil.
While on the other side of the aisle, liberals are accused of wanting open borders. Their
biggest mistake is that up until now, they have not done enough to curve or stop the immigration
problem. They are now playing defense on this issue because of their inaction. Back on the late

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90s when President Clinton recommended the implementation of the recommendations of the
Jordan commission it was still a good time to curve immigration without creating so many social
problems. Our immigration situation perhaps would be different now. On one hand, when
everything is working well in America, people seem to tolerate what otherwise would not be able
to accept during bad economic times. Liberals (Democrats) and Conservatives (Republicans) did
not do anything to prevent the problems that we see now with mass immigration. They did not
invest their political capital on an issue that was not yet seen as a problem by the American
public. Instead they chose to focus on growing the economy, and creating wealth that we can see
now mostly benefited the super-rich and powerful. On the other hand, we have people with
feelings and unique personal stories. People fear the unknown, people fear change, that
tomorrow we will be worse off than today. In this instance, people fear the demographic changes
happening in America today, which is clearly one of the consequences brought about by the
economic expansion of the 90s. The mass immigration initiated in the early 90s. The America
that baby boomers (largely white generation) grew up in, is clearly not the America where
Millennial (a generation made up of many different racial backgrounds) are growing up.
Although, the social problems brought by mass immigration are many. Problems such as low
educational attainment, overcrowded schools, overburden hospital with uncollectable bills
because illegal immigrants cannot pay. In addition to that, some Americans believe that
immigrants or their descendants are lazy, do not want to get ahead in life, only want handouts,
and that they are all criminals. In retrospect, looking at this from a different perspective, there is
evidence that suggest immigrants come to the United States looking for a better life, in search of
the American dream.

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For example, in Far from fluent, but Affluent by Kirk Semple, he states that to make it
in America is not necessary to be fluent in English. He presents us with Mr. Zhang Yulong who
immigrated to the United States from China in 1994. He went on to create a $30 million cell
phone accessories business based in New York. He did all did by having broken English. He also
introduces us to Mr. Felix de la Vega Guzman. He created a $16 million tortilla business catering
to Latinos in America. Even though he only spoke minimal English, he was able to become a
successful business owner, and wealthy along the way. Semples main point is that while
generations of immigrants have thrived in America despite language barriers, technology these
days has made easier for such entrepreneurs to attain considerable affluence. This is important to
mention because it helps us give a different light and counter the arguments that immigrants
dilute the American society, and that they are lazy and do not work hard.
Another example that shows immigrants are working for a better future is educational
attainment. Although this is an area where both the government and immigrants need to do more,
especially Hispanics because their share of immigrants is bigger, they need to put a greater effort
to do better in school. Some of the reasons that this is so are: one is because Hispanic immigrants
mostly are from the bottom of the socioeconomic ladder, focusing in working and making money
to support their families here in the United States and also in their home countries, is of the
utmost importance for them. They see education as secondary, and in some cases as not
necessary. This is truer especially for the most illiterate immigrants. And two the obstacles (laws
enacted) that are in placed to make it difficult for immigrants to pursue higher education
especially illegal ones. One such example is paying out of state tuition for undocumented

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immigrants at community colleges around the nation. Despite the difficulties immigrants families
face, there is also evidence that immigrant families want their kids to do better economically.
For example Manuel Ramirez who according to Tim Henderson in his article Hispanics
and Education: A Texas-size challenge for States was the first to graduate from college in his
family, and he remarks it was not easy. According to this article Manuels family emigrated to
the United Sates from Mexico, bringing with them Manuel, illegally. Working low paying jobs
such day laboring and cleaning houses, his parents were not able to save enough money to pay
their sons $10,000 tuition at the University of Texas at Austin. So he worked extra jobs to be
able to survive and pay the school tuition. So, he worked in restaurants, coloring hair at a spa,
translating to Spanish, worked in a rock quarry, and on a ranch building fences. Eventually he
graduated from the university, and now he works as a union organizer. He has also been lobbying
against a bill that will make undocumented students pay out of state tuition because it will mean
that more and more immigrants will be discouraged from attending college. Manuels story
illustrates how immigrants defy odds that are stacked against them to not succeed. It also shows
the determination and drive that immigrants have to get ahead. Even as they overcome many
more obstacles than an American citizen would face in a similar situation (Low income family
with few economic resources), this is evidence that they become productive members of society
contributing economically and socially, and assimilating to the main stream society rapidly.
Although some people may argue that immigrants are not assimilating to the American
society because of the sometimes large immigrant enclaves that exist on big mega cities such as
Los Angeles, New York, or Houston. On the contrary, it seems that immigrants are assimilating
just fine, and becoming Americanized. Mike Gonzalez in his article Wrong Message on

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Assimilation argues that the way we are assimilating immigrants is the wrong way to do it
because they are not loyal anymore. He argues that immigrants do not fully assimilate. He states
that a returned to patriotic assimilation would be better to teach love of country to new
immigrants. However, he omitted mentioning the way in which multiculturalism has helped
immigrants and minorities in the United States gain economically and socially. This is not saying
that patriotic assimilation is wrong completely. There is a need for new immigrants to love, and
be loyal to America. They need to be grateful for the opportunity to live here. But what would be
most helpful is a balanced approach that teaches love of country, and is inclusive. On one hand
having patriotic assimilation will teach new immigrant to be grateful and love America thus
making them more loyal. On the other hand, multiculturalism will help minorities and
immigrants gain economically and socially. The alternative will risk returning to an inflexible
discriminatory system, losing on the strength that comes from an inclusive system. Then this
view about patriotic assimilation is coming from a person that is conservative that views
immigration negatively. Hence, arguing for limited immigration, and only bringing negative
points concerning immigrants.
In short, it is understandable that conservatives would want to protect their borders,
reduce or end immigration to keep a homogenous society, and maintain the status quo. It is
within their rights as American citizens to want to protect America. However, enforcement only
policies at the border and the interior of the United States will create chaos and mistrust in the
immigrant communities that is already here, and it will only cause them to go into hiding making
them easier targets for exploitation. This is only going to create second class residents.
Enforcement only policies will fail again as it has in the past, there is a need for a balance

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approach that balances enforcement, regulates the flow of immigrants coming into the United
States, and also creates a path to citizenship for the millions of immigrants already in the United
States. So if, conservatives really want to solve the immigration issue, they must come to the
middle of the aisle as Liberals are doing now and compromise: extremist views and an inflexible
stand will not work. Education about this issue is a first important step for conservatives, and the
American society in general to begin conversing, to begin talking candidly and not just give half
trues that are one sided. Conservatives need to acknowledge their part in letting immigration get
out of hand as well as Liberals. Then, a solution has to be comprehensive. It needs to address
how to curve immigration to the United States to the point that it is all legal, and to what the
economy needs to keep growing the industries that relay on immigrant hands- high skill and low
skill. The new immigration program needs to enforce entry, and regulate business hiring
practices. And lastly, it needs to deal with the immigrants residents by bringing them out of the
shadows and into the formal economy- giving immigrants a path to citizenship. This has to be
done all at the same time for it to work.

Bibliography

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Chip, William W. Immigration made right: the GOP is being stampeded into enacting the
wrong reforms. The American Conservative 12.3 (2013): 16+. Opposing Viewpoints in
Context. Web. 23 Sep. 2015.
Gonzales, Mike. Wrong Message on Assimilation. Heritage Foundation. 01 May 2013 : n.p.
SIRS Issues Research. Web 30 Sep 3015.
Hanson, Gordon H.. Illegal Migration from Mexico to the United States. Journal of Economic
Literature 44.4 (2006): 869924. Web...
Hee Lee Michelle. Donald Trumps false comments connecting Mexican immigrants and
Crime. Washingtonpost.com 8 July 2015. Web 10 Nov. 2015
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/fact-checker/wp/2015/07/08/donald-trumps-falsecomments-connecting-mexican-immigrants-and-crime/
Henderson, Tim. Hispanics and Education: a Texas-size challenge for states. stateline.org. 29
Jan. 2015: n.p. SIRS Issue Researcher. Web. 11 Nov. 2015.
Semple, Kirk. Far from Fluent, but affluent. International Herald Tribune. 10 Nov. 2011:2.
SIRS Issues Reseacher. Web. 30 Sep. 2015.

U.S. COMMISSION ON IMMIGRATION REFORM (BARBARA JORDAN COMISSION

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numbersusa.com last updated 27 Oct. 2015. Web 10 Nov. 2015.

https://www.numbersusa.com/content/learn/illegal-immigration/us-commission-immigrationreform-barbara-jordan-commission.html