the role of the last true hope for the ?huddled masses? of the world?
Conclusion
Illegal immigration must be curbed. If nothing else it is unfair to those who wait for years
to come to America legally. Currently illegal immigrants can choose to leave on their own
meaning they can come back legally if they choose. Our laws say that we can formally deport
these illegal immigrants and bar them from legal entry. Why does our government continue to
create loopholes in the laws they pass. I don?t feel that those enter the country illegally should
have a right to return; if they are willing to break immigration laws they are more likely to break
other laws. What does this policy say to those who lawfully await entry? That in America you?re
only guilty if you?re caught and then only if you don?t agree to leave quietly. The lack of
punishment for illegal migration is one of the reasons behind it?s increase. That however is just my
opinion and the would not disappear even if strict punishments were the norm.
It is clear that the debate and controversy over immigration will not go away anytime in
the near future. What is not clear however is how the nation will fare in the midst of such debate.
In the past Americans were proud to be that one shining hope in the world. They were willing to
accept the tired and poor, but America has changed and immigration must change also. To those
in underdeveloped countries the Statue of Liberty and her invitation to a better life must be hard
to resist. What they don?t see is what lies beyond her golden torch; a country teeming with people
in fierce competition for that elusive dream of a better life. As a student of history and someone
who is proud of my heritage I want to say let them come. Let all who need a better life come to
America and try to build it here. As a realist I know that our country can only support so many
people. There are only so many jobs, so much land for housing, and so forth. Maybe someday in
the near future there will be a balance found between the economics and the humanitarianism. A
balance that will allow those searching for a better life to come to America and know that they
add to our nation?s success. The days of ?give me your tired, your poor? may have to end but our
door should always be open to those longing to work toward a better tomorrow in a land of
freedom.
9af
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