Preview

Open and Closed Borders: the Effects on America

Better Essays
Open Document
Open Document
4103 Words
Grammar
Grammar
Plagiarism
Plagiarism
Writing
Writing
Score
Score
Open and Closed Borders: the Effects on America
Open and Closed Borders: The Effects on America

by

Savannah Miller

American Studies English 6C

Mrs. Teisha Sherrill

March 20, 2013

Introduction

“The Census Bureau estimates that 450,000 illegal immigrants enter the United States each year” (Point: Immigration). Why are so many immigrants coming here illegally? “Immigrants leave their country of origin for a variety of reasons including employment, economic, social conditions, military conflict, and political turmoil” (Immigration Restrictions). What is the government doing to stop it? Each year many immigrants enter the United States, a good number of them enter illegally, crossing the border without correct documentation, and living in the United States pretending to be legal citizens and reaping the benefits. Will open borders benefit the United States? Or, will it increase crime rate and destroy the economy? What does amnesty mean and how would it effect the 12 million illegal immigrants and United States citizens? In this paper the reader will examine the effects of open borders and the pro and con sides to the issue.

Rhetorical Precis

Savannah Miller in her term paper, Open and Closed Borders: The Effects on America, argues that open borders in the United States not only will increase terrorism and crime rates, but will destroy the United States economy. Miller supports her claim by thoroughly explaining the effects of open borders on America, how it would benefit and how it would not, and the pros and cons to each side. The author’s purpose is to inform the reader of the effects of open borders, the good and the bad sides, in order to prove that open borders would lead to no good. The author writes in an informational tone for the reader.

Chapter One

Immigration in America has a long history. This is because since the beginning of the nation, people from all over have been coming to America. In a technical sense all Americans, apart from Native Americans, have



Cited: “Amnesty”. Merrian Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary. 10 ed., 2002 Bowman, Jeffrey Cushman, C Immigration”. Points Of View: Immigration Restrictions (2011): 3. Points Of View Reference Center. Granite Hills High School Lib. Feb 21,2013. “Controversy over Immigration Policy”. Congressional Digest 35.1 (1956): 1. Points of View Reference Center “Immigration”. Dictionary.com. Dictionary.com,n.d. Web. Feb 7. 2013 Issitt, Micah L View: Immigration Restrictions (2011): 1. Points Of View Reference Center. Granite Hills High School Lib. Feb 7, 2013 . Google. Web. 14 Mar. 2013. Pearce, Matt. “Point: Immigration Restrictions Must be Enforced”. Points Of View: Immigration Restrictions (2011): 5

You May Also Find These Documents Helpful

  • Good Essays

    Working Permits

    • 824 Words
    • 1 Page

    History. Since the turn of the 20th century immigration has been an issue for the…

    • 824 Words
    • 1 Page
    Good Essays
  • Better Essays

    Com/220 Final Project

    • 1950 Words
    • 8 Pages

    For centuries, the United States has welcomed immigrants from various countries and have become home to them. In the 1800s, immigrants were even essential for the building of the steam engine and railroad tracks (Schaefer, 2013). As time passed immigration has increased and laws regulating immigration have not been enforced causing over population of unskilled immigrants. While unregulated immigration has its benefits, which help organizations, like social security it does not negate the fact that they are straining resources and the economy.…

    • 1950 Words
    • 8 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    1907-The Immigration Act of 1907 required aliens to declare intention of permanent or temporary stay in the United States and officially classified arriving aliens…

    • 4346 Words
    • 18 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Better Essays

    “Immigration started during the colonial era in the first part of the 19th century. And then from the 1880s to the 1920s. And also the Pilgrims in the 1600s in search of religious freedom. During the 17th thought the 19th century hundreds of thousands of African Americans slaves came to America most of them were against their will. By the 1500s the first Europeans which were led by the Spanish and the French begun establishing settlements in what would eventually become The United States. In the year 1607 the English found their first settlement in America which is now known as Jamestown which became a part of the Virginia Colony. In 1620 a group of 100 people which later became known as the Pilgrims to seek religious freedom. Then after the Pilgrims there was a group called the Puritans they were a group of about 20,000 immigrants who arrived in a ten year period during the years of 1630-1640. In the year 1680 there were 7,000…

    • 1738 Words
    • 7 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Better Essays

    The United States has always been a country of immigrants. It was founded by immigrants from Europe who were escaping religious oppression to start a new life on a distant continent, far away from the old world and its problems. This country continued to be a destination for many immigrants. They have traveled here for reasons similar to those of the first settlers. The U.S. had imposed immigration restrictions before, but in the early to mid 1900s, some changes were made that drastically altered the amount of immigrants allowed into the country.…

    • 2332 Words
    • 10 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Good Essays

    Immigration has caused many concerns for Americans, as this is an ongoing issue that is very controversial. Many politicians argue that an open door policy creates a higher rate for crime and threat upon the U.S citizens. For example, “The September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks on the United States suggest that loose immigration policy can allow enemies of the country in too easily” (Unit 8 Lecture 1: Immigration). Also, many claim that allowing immigrants into the United States harms the economy, especially with unemployment. Certainly this can be a downfall to an open door policy; as immigrants are assuming jobs that Americans could fill. I also thought this was a big disadvantage because business will be more willing to hire the immigrants…

    • 428 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Immigration was a big thing in the U.S back in 1800s, and it still is now. Many immigrants came to America seeking greater economic opportunities; others came for a better life. For example, the pilgrims came in search for religious freedom. Either way, the U.S was a place where people could feel safe, and have better opportunities for themselves and their families. Many people still come for just those reasons.…

    • 589 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    The United States was formed by the immigration of many people throughout the World. Legal immigration to the United States can easily be handled and welcomed by most Americans. Immigration has been around since the later half of the twentieth century.…

    • 724 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    The key concepts of this paper are social, economic and political effects of illegal immigrants who are allowed to stay in the United States. Social effects of immigration arguably include the position of new immigrants such as Vietnamese, Russian, Israeli, Mexican, Columbian, Chinese, Korean and other types of immigrants as criminals (Duignan, 2003). This means that America’s society is effected by the amount of immigrants in its jails. This argues that more immigrants increase the number of criminal activity, making the country less safe. Economic effects argue, for example, that native people of a country do benefit from immigration, because of productive relationships between immigrant workers and other factors of production (Borjas, 1995).…

    • 185 Words
    • 1 Page
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Open Border Immigration

    • 675 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Supporters of an open border argue that the new immigrants will improve our economy drastically while saving them from their corrupt government. However, those supporters look past the fact that those same illegal immigrants escalate the crime in America, take jobs from citizens, all while living in America at a very minimal cost tax wise.…

    • 675 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Better Essays

    For many years, Immigration restrictions have been a major social issue that affects the United States in so many ways. This review argues against U.S. immigration restrictions. The U.S. stance on immigration policies will need to be reevaluated as it has been in the passed. Many believe Amnesty is a practical and just solution and should not be taken lightly. Granting Amnesty will be best for the U.S. economy and illegal immigrants. This review will also show it is time the United States government pass another Amnesty act similar to the IRCA (Immigration Reform and Control Act also known as the Simpson-Mazzoli act) passed in 1986. It will also reveal that some Americans are against illegal immigration and want the government to end it. It…

    • 1560 Words
    • 7 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    immigration reform

    • 872 Words
    • 3 Pages

    The number of undocumented immigrants living in the United States today is approximated to be at about 12 million. The deficit of sufficient economic opportunities in many other countries remains to inspire foreigners to come to the United States, whether they’re legal or illegal. They are craving the American Dream, the change and opportunity to live a better life. American companies are inspired at how much economic advantages they can receive by hiring these foreigners, whether these workers are legal or not. Knowing their benefits, U.S. employers continue to welcome these workers with goodwill. Nonetheless, increased enforcement of existing laws opposing American companies who deliberately welcome these undocumented employees, together along with the many efforts in Congress to establish new restrictions on illegal immigrants, may have a significant impact on immigration in the years to come.…

    • 872 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Good Essays

    Immigration Reform

    • 710 Words
    • 3 Pages

    The United States has over an estimated one million immigrants, both legal and illegal, entering the country each year. The total number of illegal immigrants is said to be close to 11 million. A few issues which arise from this are the strain imposed on funding for welfare, employment, education system, and healthcare. So what can be done about this? According to a recent Gallup survey, two-thirds of the American population is in favor of certain measures regarding immigration. Two major areas mentioned are increasing border security and requiring employers to verify status of immigration for those seeking work. Although there is support for the tightening of U.S. borders, the overall results reflected a more empathetic and supportive view.…

    • 710 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Illegal immigration has continuously been the subject of national discussion. Illegal immigration can either be successful in the US or it can be unfortunate for the US. With the increase of economic difference among the populations of third-world countries and the improper distribution of wealth, illegal immigration has been unsuccessful in…

    • 551 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Since there are many immigrants who cross the country’s borders illegally, the major complication is undoubtedly their legality. In many cases, these individuals who do not have proper documentation then fail to pay taxes, health and social insurance; in consequence, the country’s economy is being harmed. To be more precise, the country’s finances are mainly gained from taxes. As one might expect, people who avoid paying taxes cause a gap in the state’s budget. The economy then may suffer from a lack of resources; and as a result, the country is unable to provide welfare and services. Also securing individuals who do not actively work, in other words, do not make money, such as the elderly people, might become difficult.…

    • 512 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays