Immigration Process Needs to be Fixed

In Two Countries, One Border, and Too Many Problems, Alyssa Wilkins discuss a very controversial topic that has dominated politics for years and is being highlighted in the 2016 Presidential Race.  Immigration causes such a mix of reactions and emotions, which lead to more issues being called into question.  Illegal immigration is a problem, more so in border states such as Texas, that will affect the entire Nation.  As Wilkins states, “many politicians agree but are too reluctant to speak up” about illegal immigration because of how it will affect their ratings and chances of being elected whether it is for president, governor, and some other political position. 

Wilkins present several arguments for why illegal immigration needs to be stopped, including “hurting our economy [and] bringing danger to our society.”  She also points to two things that upset Americans, especially those citizens of border states, about illegal immigration: “illegals getting handed free or reduced items” while there is a process for receiving American citizenship.

But Wilkins fails to address the real issue, which many seem to overlook, that while there is a process for gaining citizenship that process doesn’t work and isn’t enforced.  There is little repercussions against illegal immigrants, such as deportation.  Currently in order to gain citizenship, the process can take upwards of 10 years.  Many would wonder why wait that long, even to be considered for citizenship, which isn’t guaranteed, when coming here illegally seems to have no repercussions but plenty of benefits.  This needs to be fixed because the American economy cannot be sustained without these immigrants.  The solution to illegal immigration is to fix the process and let the people who want to work and make our country a better place come in to the United States.  As legal citizens, their taxes will then contribute to supporting necessary programs. This would be easier than making a giant fence, which doesn’t actually work, or having to pour thousands of tax payers’ dollars to end up with little to no result.  By looking at other issues, such as how long and hard it is to gain citizenship, a reduction in illegal immigration might be found and hard-working and deserving people would become legal.