The Debate of Illegal Immigration essays

The Debate of Illegal Immigration essays Illegal immigration has been an issue of passionate debate for several decades. Proponents claim illegal immigrants contribute to the U.S. economy by working jobs that Americans will not work. However, critics claim that illegal immigration has a devastating effect on the economy by not only taking jobs away from legal citizens but by overwhelming social services and that unsecured borders provide an open door for the illegal drug trade. Illegal immigration has long been a concern to American citizens, however recently debates have reached high intensity due to the rise in the number of illegal immigrants within the United States borders (Axtman). During the mid-1980's, there were approximately 3 million illegal immigrants, while today, that number is estimated at more than 12 million, and continues to rise by roughly 500,000 annually (Axtman). This dramatic rise has created a huge strain on resources of local governments and has impacted communities across the nation (Axtman). For example, Houston, Texas alone has more than 400,000 illegal immigrants, and the number of children enrolled in English as a Second Language class has risen from 12.3 percent in 1994 to more than 17 percent today (Axtman). With this rise in student enrollment has come a rise in ELS teachers, which has risen from 8.9 percent in 1994 to 9.5 percent today, resulting in large demands on local funding (Axtman). Moreover, undocumented outp atients within the Harris County Hospital District increased some 52.8 percent between 2002-2005, "representing a 96 percent increase in cost for services rendered" (Axtman). The public is growing increasingly frustrated as local communities spend tens of millions of dollars per year on illegal immigrants (Axtman). According to Steven Camarota, director of research at the Center for Immigration Studies in Washington, "The impact on health care, public schools, and criminal justice are only going to increase. It doe...