John Locke said that every citizen is guaranteed some fundamental basic rights: life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. Our nation's forefathers kept Locke's ideas in mind while writing the Constitution. The purpose of the Constitution is to guarantee that the government will not exceed the power granted to it and that it will serve the needs of the citizens. Through the Constitution and Bill of Rights, Americans' freedoms are protected by law. This video and article pose a relevant question to this topic: are illegal immigrants guaranteed the rights to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness while on American soil? Although they are not citizens, does the United States have the responsibility to take care of them, to allow them to establish housing and jobs, and to provide them with the means to make a life for themselves? I think that we do owe these illegal immigrants the opportunity to start new lives for themselves and their families while enjoying these inalienable rights.
Although Elizabeth raises some good points I happen to disagree. I think it is absurd that there is close to 12 million illegal immigrants in the US and the government is not doing enough to control the issue. First off, I think it is completely unfair for some morally good immigrants to go through the very difficult process to gain citizenship while the illegal immigrants do not do that and sit on US soil taking American jobs. It would be too difficult to deport them all back, however, I do think something needs to be done. I think all current illegal immigrants should be forced to register and start the process to apply for citizenship and if at any point they commit a crime while still an illegal alien they should be sent back to their proper country. It is a difficult situation and hopefully the government will be able to implement a plan to help with the issue at hand
After reading the article and viewing the video I agreed with Lindsay. I think the government has let illegal immigration become too much of a problem by simply ignoring it. My biggest problems with illegal immigrants are that they do not pay taxes and they take jobs from true American citizens. Deporting all of the illegal immigrants is not logical or realistic. Unfortunately, since it is an election year the candidates will most likely be trying to bad mouth each other like Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton have been doing instead of thinking of realistic solutions to the problem. I think the government needs to work together to find a solution. After I read the article I wanted more information so I researched immigration reform and I found this article that I found informative. http://www.fairus.org/about/7-principles-of-true-comprehensive-immigration-reform I thought it brought up good points on what immigration reform needs to achieve.
I have always found this issue very difficult to determine a right solution. I think that my opinion lies somewhere in between Lindsey and Elizabeth. I do not believe that The US owes illegal immigrants anything, as they are not really a part of our nation. I also, however, think that simply deporting them without giving them a chance is not the answer. People come from all over to the US to try and create a better life for themselves, and often they are in the process of procuring a green card when they are deported. I think that immigrants need to be given a chance to make a name for themselves and to apply for citizenship. Although I agree with Lindsey when she said that if an illegal immigrant breaks the law, they should be investigated, I think that we need to make sure that full investigations are occurring before someone is deported. This is a very prominent issue and needs to be solved, but simple deportation will not solve all the issues.
While watching this video, I seemed to side more with Kristin and Lindsey. Though some may argue that John Locke insured everyone inalienable rights, a line must be drawn somewhere. Since illegal immigrants do not technically have American citizenships, their rights cannot necessarily be protected under the Constitution. These people are taking away jobs from true American citizens and benefiting from tax dollars that they, themselves, do not pay. The government must intervene at some point to stop the increasing problem of immigration. Though it is not realistic to go to millions of people’s homes to search out, find, and arrest all illegal immigrants, the government still has a duty to create a plan of action for this increasing problem of illegal immigration.
I agree with Irene. We do not owe illegal immigrants anything, especially since they do not pay taxes and they take Americans' jobs, as Kristin said. I do believe, however, that simply deporting illegals is not plausible or an efficient use of our resources. A better plan of action must be implemented before this gets even farther out of hand. I, like Irene, feel that these people should be given a chance, but they need to go about it legally. They are creating an identity in which they prove themselves to be more concerned with their own well-being than the well-being of the common good- a foundation of this nation. Although they deserve a chance to experience the freedom we are blessed with in this country, they are not entitled to it. I also agree with Irene's idea that investigations must take place before people are deported. I think illegal immigration is a major issue which needs to be dealt with quickly but also carefully.
This raises a lot of good questions. How do we deal with illegal immigrants? Honestly, I am not quite sure what to suggest. Nevertheless, our government needs to do something about the illegal immigration. I believe that we should make becoming a legal citizen of the United States much easier. The people that are coming over are just trying to find a better life, and I can understand that. It is not as simple as saying, :they need to apply for citizenship like everyone else. That process is way too long and hard, and I understand why people do not want to go through with it. I think people need to realize that we as a country, as citizens, are extremely lucky. Not everyone is as lucky and us, and we need to keep that in mind when talking about immigration. I understand that the immigration situation is not ideal, and many people do not like it. I believe that it is our duty as a country to help them. Every one seems to want to come to the Unites States, as it is a wonderful country, but maybe there is something we can do so that immigrants can "spread out" across the globe. I'm not sure how that would work, but something has to be done to help these people. The next president needs to get on top of this pressing issue. It will be hard because they need to take consideration of our country but also the people that are coming in. I get when people say they are coming over here and talking our jobs. But I want you to ask yourself: do you know their situation? If you heard their story would you kick them out of the country? If you were in their shoes, wouldn’t you want to come to the Unites States?
John Locke said that every citizen is guaranteed some fundamental basic rights: life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. Our nation's forefathers kept Locke's ideas in mind while writing the Constitution. The purpose of the Constitution is to guarantee that the government will not exceed the power granted to it and that it will serve the needs of the citizens. Through the Constitution and Bill of Rights, Americans' freedoms are protected by law. This video and article pose a relevant question to this topic: are illegal immigrants guaranteed the rights to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness while on American soil? Although they are not citizens, does the United States have the responsibility to take care of them, to allow them to establish housing and jobs, and to provide them with the means to make a life for themselves? I think that we do owe these illegal immigrants the opportunity to start new lives for themselves and their families while enjoying these inalienable rights.
ReplyDeleteAlthough Elizabeth raises some good points I happen to disagree. I think it is absurd that there is close to 12 million illegal immigrants in the US and the government is not doing enough to control the issue. First off, I think it is completely unfair for some morally good immigrants to go through the very difficult process to gain citizenship while the illegal immigrants do not do that and sit on US soil taking American jobs. It would be too difficult to deport them all back, however, I do think something needs to be done. I think all current illegal immigrants should be forced to register and start the process to apply for citizenship and if at any point they commit a crime while still an illegal alien they should be sent back to their proper country. It is a difficult situation and hopefully the government will be able to implement a plan to help with the issue at hand
ReplyDeleteAfter reading the article and viewing the video I agreed with Lindsay. I think the government has let illegal immigration become too much of a problem by simply ignoring it. My biggest problems with illegal immigrants are that they do not pay taxes and they take jobs from true American citizens. Deporting all of the illegal immigrants is not logical or realistic. Unfortunately, since it is an election year the candidates will most likely be trying to bad mouth each other like Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton have been doing instead of thinking of realistic solutions to the problem. I think the government needs to work together to find a solution. After I read the article I wanted more information so I researched immigration reform and I found this article that I found informative. http://www.fairus.org/about/7-principles-of-true-comprehensive-immigration-reform I thought it brought up good points on what immigration reform needs to achieve.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteI have always found this issue very difficult to determine a right solution. I think that my opinion lies somewhere in between Lindsey and Elizabeth. I do not believe that The US owes illegal immigrants anything, as they are not really a part of our nation. I also, however, think that simply deporting them without giving them a chance is not the answer. People come from all over to the US to try and create a better life for themselves, and often they are in the process of procuring a green card when they are deported. I think that immigrants need to be given a chance to make a name for themselves and to apply for citizenship. Although I agree with Lindsey when she said that if an illegal immigrant breaks the law, they should be investigated, I think that we need to make sure that full investigations are occurring before someone is deported. This is a very prominent issue and needs to be solved, but simple deportation will not solve all the issues.
ReplyDeleteWhile watching this video, I seemed to side more with Kristin and Lindsey. Though some may argue that John Locke insured everyone inalienable rights, a line must be drawn somewhere. Since illegal immigrants do not technically have American citizenships, their rights cannot necessarily be protected under the Constitution. These people are taking away jobs from true American citizens and benefiting from tax dollars that they, themselves, do not pay. The government must intervene at some point to stop the increasing problem of immigration. Though it is not realistic to go to millions of people’s homes to search out, find, and arrest all illegal immigrants, the government still has a duty to create a plan of action for this increasing problem of illegal immigration.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Irene. We do not owe illegal immigrants anything, especially since they do not pay taxes and they take Americans' jobs, as Kristin said. I do believe, however, that simply deporting illegals is not plausible or an efficient use of our resources. A better plan of action must be implemented before this gets even farther out of hand. I, like Irene, feel that these people should be given a chance, but they need to go about it legally. They are creating an identity in which they prove themselves to be more concerned with their own well-being than the well-being of the common good- a foundation of this nation. Although they deserve a chance to experience the freedom we are blessed with in this country, they are not entitled to it. I also agree with Irene's idea that investigations must take place before people are deported. I think illegal immigration is a major issue which needs to be dealt with quickly but also carefully.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteThis raises a lot of good questions. How do we deal with illegal immigrants? Honestly, I am not quite sure what to suggest. Nevertheless, our government needs to do something about the illegal immigration. I believe that we should make becoming a legal citizen of the United States much easier. The people that are coming over are just trying to find a better life, and I can understand that. It is not as simple as saying, :they need to apply for citizenship like everyone else. That process is way too long and hard, and I understand why people do not want to go through with it. I think people need to realize that we as a country, as citizens, are extremely lucky. Not everyone is as lucky and us, and we need to keep that in mind when talking about immigration. I understand that the immigration situation is not ideal, and many people do not like it. I believe that it is our duty as a country to help them. Every one seems to want to come to the Unites States, as it is a wonderful country, but maybe there is something we can do so that immigrants can "spread out" across the globe. I'm not sure how that would work, but something has to be done to help these people. The next president needs to get on top of this pressing issue. It will be hard because they need to take consideration of our country but also the people that are coming in. I get when people say they are coming over here and talking our jobs. But I want you to ask yourself: do you know their situation? If you heard their story would you kick them out of the country? If you were in their shoes, wouldn’t you want to come to the Unites States?
ReplyDelete