Immigration Issues Between Us and Mexico

Unauthorized immigration has been a major political issue at least for the past 30 years, and is one of the most difficult to resolve. The problem relates to both economic and business realities of the U.S. and Mexico. There may be anywhere between 4 to 12 million undocumented immigrants living in the United States. For undocumented immigrants from Mexico, population experts have discovered that there is a constant flow of both immigrants into the US and leaving the US . This is the primary reason why the exact number remains unknown.

Mexicans make up the single largest group of undocumented workers. Many cross illegally into the United States each year looking for work. Experts suggest that many of these workers acquire low-paying jobs that do not last long. Many return back to Mexico after six months either due to a lack of work or by deportation.

The reason so many Mexicans migrate illegally into the US is because of conditions in Mexico. Mexico’s population is increasing rapidly with a projection of 135 million by the year 20251. Mexico’s agricultural output does not meet the needs of a rising population. The majority of families can not grow enough to feed their own families. Mexico maintains a close to 25% unemployment rate. Those who do work, work for very low wages, and some families survive on money that undocumented immigrants send home from the United States.

U.S. immigration law allows for 150,000 to 200,000 Mexicans to legally immigrate each year. However, there is a long waiting list with a preference for skilled workers and professionals and those Mexicans who have close relatives of a legal U.S. resident. These conditions make it difficult for poor unskilled Mexicans to enter the United States legally.

“Coyotes” or organized bands with thousands of guides, who help smuggle immigrants into the United States make millions of dollars a year. Many poor Mexicans learn that they have a much better chance of crossing the border with a guide as opposed to trying on their own.

The U.S. border patrol is responsible for stopping unauthorized immigration across the 1,952-mile U.S.-Mexico border. Thousands of immigrants are detained and transported back across the border. However, most of them simply try to cross over again after a few days.

Undocumented Mexicans come to the US to work and make money. Studies have shown that they pay more in payroll taxes and local taxes than the cost of public services that they require, i.e. public schools and hospitals. Despite this, many state politicians have demanded that the federal government compensate the state and local governments for these services.

Many employers hire undocumented workers so they can pay them low wages. But often times these employers exploit workers and know that they will not report the company for fear of being turned in to the immigration service. The Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986 made it illegal for employers to hire undocumented workers. However, because the immigration service permits many different documents to be accepted as proof of work eligibility, the law has not have had much effect. Fradulent documentation can be purchased for as low as $20.

The biggest worry Americans have is they believe the undocumented workers take away jobs from American workers. However, many of these jobs are those that Americans will not do, including picking up garbage, cleaning dishes, busing tables, and working in clothing factories. These jobs are often low-paying and unskilled. Because of this, some experts believe that although some American workers may be directly hurt, as a whole, undocumented workers keep the economy going.

Other experts state that undocumented immigrants hurt both American workers and businesses. Undocumented workers keep wages of unskilled workers low and also prevent innovation in a particular industry. Hence, a company will soon loose it’s competitive advantage. The argument is that if you were to reduce illegal immigration, and allow wages to rise naturally, more good could be done for a productive economy.

The argument for the benefits and costs of illegal immigration can continue for ever. However, proponents for both sides realize that the immigration system is broken. Some ideas for fixing it include employing more Border Patrol agents, building high fences, and punishing employers who hire undocumented workers.

One must realize that immigration also plays a role in the larger issue of free trade. NAFTA, or the North American Free Trade Agreement was thought to be able to reduce illegal immigration by up to two-thirds in six years by raising living standards