Strict Immigration Policy

Patel 1
Dimple Patel
Professor Honey Duprey-Smith
English 102
February 10, 2013
Should the U.S. Adopt Policies to Restrict Immigration?
The American continent has attracted human attention since the time of its discovery. From the very beginning, this country was a refuge for foreigners, who wanted to achieve better way of life. People from all parts of the world flocked to this country in search of money, jobs and freedom. Today the situation has changed. As researcher Stobaugh (2012) ones has written, “now in the early 21st century, American society once again finds itself locked in a debate over immigration in American society. To some, the new immigrants have seemed unwillingly or unable to assimilate into American society, too committed
A year after the eugenicists’ victory, passage of the 1924 Immigration Restriction Act was secured; it established entry quotas that slashed the “new immigration” of Jews, Slavs, and southern Europeans” (Berlet 222).
Argument 2: Restricting legal immigration violates the laws of the so-called American Dream
From its first days, the U.S. was an asylum for those, who wanted to start their life from a new leaf. Thousands of immigrants have disembarked at Ellis Island, and the country became the so-called “melting pot”. This metaphorical name means that the U.S. has become the home for people of different races, ethnicities and nationalities.
“In the United States, the basis of attachment and pride is clear. This has to do with the so-called American Dream: the belief that the United States is a land of opportunity, a land of freedom, the society of which has fixed idea that no matter where you were born you can reach the top” (Munroe 14).
Patel 4
Therefore, offering the immigrants an opportunity to join the American community has become a tradition, which should not be violated. The introduction of new restrictions into the immigration system will ruin this
It is important to mention President’s Bush attempt to strengthen the Mexican border in 2006, which was aimed at reducing the death rate. However, a number of researchers consider that it was an unnecessary step. In Congressional Record it was stated that “more fences would do nothing about immigrants who come into the country legally and then overstay their visas. Unnecessary enforcement measures also harm the relations of United States with Mexico and other countries” (7).
Argument 4: Immigrants enrich the country
Legal immigrants have enriched American culture and their talents have improved the country. They boost the economy of the country by their fresh ideas and viewpoints. One should take into account, that in most cases migrate talented individuals, who do not have an opportunity to work in their native country. Even Bill Gates ones mentioned that “cuts in legal immigration could make it more difficult for America’s high-tech industries to compete internationally” (Ungar, 378).
Argument 5: There already exist tough legal immigration restrictions, and the new ones will cause discrimination and