Illegal Immigration in the United States - Essay Example

Illegal Immigration in the United States Illegal immigration in the United States has been a hot topic of discussion among the congress as well as the policy makers in the country. This is owing to the fact that the United States continues to be an enticing destination for most disadvantaged people as it is portrayed as the land of opportunity. Noteworthy about 40% of the US population is of Hispanic origin and worse still a big chunk of these population are illegal immigrants. A more important subject of discussion that has not been given much attention despite its crucial importance is the need to educate the off springs of illegal immigrants in the United States. As such, this paper dedicates itself to unveiling the core reasons behind advocacy for the need to educate these children on why policy makers should rethink their priorities as regards this issue. Before proceeding it is important to note that education is a basic right that should be accorded to all irrespective of there race or nationality, income disposition and so on. That said according to law a child born within the boundaries of United States is by birth a US citizen and thus entitled to receive all benefits of a US citizen and that includes proper education. 1 Therefore it would seem rather obvious that all and sundry should accept that there is undisputable need to educate these children. However, this has not been the case as the proposal has been met with robust opposition from a considerable number of people as they see it as a potential destruction to the quality of education as well as one that could necessitate a change in the curriculum of education which is both tedious and expensive. The government cannot afford to sustain a publicly funded education program for all the children who land in US with education, the reason being that the tax payer would be the one to bear the brunt of increased taxes to support the programs.2 It is no secret that the US citizen is an already overburdened taxpayer and an added cost to it would strain most incomes to breaking point. Away from that the question begs, what benefits does the United States stand to gain from educating the children of illegal immigrants? On the surface it would seem that this step will be counter productive in that it reinforces further illegal immigration into the US. Nonetheless looking deeper there are some advantages to this. For example, well qualified children will contribute to the educated and professional workforce in the US which obviously is much needed.3 It makes no sense to turn away potentially gifted individuals who may someday make significant contribution to the betterment of the future welfare of United States. Currently the college ranking of US has dwindled significantly in relation to other industrialized countries and it is projected that this downward trend will continue unless something is done. Governor Jim Hunt has sat many education commissions and panel points out that the baby boomers glory is beginning to fade as many retire and the new entrants into the workforce are not as qualified and educated. Most of them constitute the minorities in the society who are also children of illegal immigrants.4 From a moral view point it is the government’s ethical responsibility to educate these children. It is all about wanting the best for our children. Employers and church leaders who advocate for this posits that if enterprises depend on labor from illegal immigrants then it is only right that their children be educated in return. These illegal immigrants work so hard to earn a place in the United States and also contribute taxes (direct and indirect tax) to the government. This tax entitles their children to quality education. Discriminate access to education poses great danger to the internal security of the citizens of US. This may sound far fetched but in perspective it is not. This is because uneducated children of illegal immigrants would be forced to turn to crime in order to make ends meet for them and their families.5 One can only imagine the harm that would come out of desperate illiterate criminals frustrated by the system that denies them a right to earn a decent living. The result would be a huge population of young individuals tapping into the prison systems and slimming funds for social welfare. Into the bargain, educating children of illegal immigrants affirms that the state does not penalize the children for a status that they are not to blame for. Admittedly, one neither chooses where to be birthed nor by whom. Thus it is irrational to bar children of illegal immigrants from school simply because the parent is an alien. Arguably, there is need to educate children of illegal immigrants as an indirect way to prevent racism and in turn the negative consequences that go with it. As pointed out majority of illegal immigrants in US are of Hispanic origin and blacks. Discriminating these children from accessing education translates to discrimination against minority races, a situation that does not go down well with most. History teaches of the ills that can arise from such seemingly small issues. Racial tensions, hate crimes and civil wars have arisen from such discrimination. Conclusion Children are precious individuals who have a right to be protected and accorded the benefits that are rightfully theirs irrespective of their nationality, race or family background. It is the duty of the government of the US to honor this aspect. Nonetheless, the dilemma that confronts lawmakers is that of posing fairness to all stakeholders. On one hand the children should be entitled to quality education especially those that are genuinely interested in education and are gifted. On the other hand the legal US citizen needs to feel protected from exploitation by illegal immigrants that bring children into US as the easy way out for their children. Feelings of frustration of having to foot the bill for aliens are only logical. Therefore it seems that the answer to this dilemma lies in drawing up policies that require illegal immigrants to pay for the education of their children until they acquire citizenship in the US. More scholarships and bursaries should also be made available for financially challenged and gifted children of illegal immigrants so that they can also access education and have a better life in future. References Newman, Lori M. What Rights Should Illegal Immigrants Have? ISBN 0737734809: Greenhaven Press. 2006 Perea, Juan F. Immigrants Out!: The New Nativism and the Anti-Immigrant Impulse in the United States. ISBN 0814766420: NYU Press. 1997. Simmons, Tim. Educate children of illegal immigrants. Posted on September 17, 2006. Retrieved on December 10, 2007 from World Wide Web: http://www.newsobserver.com/690/story/487158.html Zimmermann, Wendy & Michael, Fix. Educating Immigrant Children: Chapter 1 in the Changing City. ISBN 0877666075: University Press of America. 1993. Stewart, David W. Immigration and Education: The Crisis and the Opportunities. ISBN 0669245801: Lexington Books. 1993. Read More