Illegal Immigration
Illegal Immigration
Cheryl Alcala
American Government
Scott Wilson
November 19, 2012
Illegal Immigration has become a very big issue over the past several years. There are many people against illegal immigration to the United States. Over the years, there has been much debate of who should hold power when it comes to illegal Immigration issues, the Government or Individual States? Right now it is the Government that holds said authority but the debate is should it be the government or should it be individual states. This essay will show the pros and cons of the state and local authoritieshaving that authority.
Illegal immigrants are defined as “all foreign-born non-citizens who are not legal residents. Most unauthorized residents either entered the United States without inspection or were admitted temporarily and stayed past the date they were required to leave”. (Seminara, David, November 2012)
The 14th amendment of the Constitution states, “All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the State wherein they reside.” There are only two references in the Constitution that mention naturalization. One is the fore mentioned 14th amendment and the other being Article I, Section 8 in creating the authority of the Congress. “To establish a uniform Rule of Naturalization. Although this gives congress that authority and congress is a part of the government, I feel that the framers of the constitution were clear in what they wanted. The beginning of the Preamble of the Constitution states who gives authority to the government and in whom the rights established in the Constitution belong to and they are,” We the People of the United States.” “ States and localities bear the primary responsibility for defining and prosecuting crimes. But beyond enforcing the laws or ordinances of their state or locality, state and local officials may also have the
Cheryl Alcala
American Government
Scott Wilson
November 19, 2012
Illegal Immigration has become a very big issue over the past several years. There are many people against illegal immigration to the United States. Over the years, there has been much debate of who should hold power when it comes to illegal Immigration issues, the Government or Individual States? Right now it is the Government that holds said authority but the debate is should it be the government or should it be individual states. This essay will show the pros and cons of the state and local authoritieshaving that authority.
Illegal immigrants are defined as “all foreign-born non-citizens who are not legal residents. Most unauthorized residents either entered the United States without inspection or were admitted temporarily and stayed past the date they were required to leave”. (Seminara, David, November 2012)
The 14th amendment of the Constitution states, “All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the State wherein they reside.” There are only two references in the Constitution that mention naturalization. One is the fore mentioned 14th amendment and the other being Article I, Section 8 in creating the authority of the Congress. “To establish a uniform Rule of Naturalization. Although this gives congress that authority and congress is a part of the government, I feel that the framers of the constitution were clear in what they wanted. The beginning of the Preamble of the Constitution states who gives authority to the government and in whom the rights established in the Constitution belong to and they are,” We the People of the United States.” “ States and localities bear the primary responsibility for defining and prosecuting crimes. But beyond enforcing the laws or ordinances of their state or locality, state and local officials may also have the
References: 1.Is Arizona 's Anti-Illegal Immigration Law, S.B. 1070, Constitutional? PROS. (2012). Supreme Court Debates, 15(6), 22-34 2. Centers for Immigration Studies, Seminara, David (November 2012) www.cis.org/illegal 3. Should state or local governments enforce federal immigration laws? Cogressional Research Service,March,11th 2004 www.procon.org 4.Illegal Immigration (2012) www.numbersusa.org/issues/illigal-immigration Top of Form