The Contemporary American Society and Immigration
The contemporary American society poses hard times, particularly to the immigrants (Reeves 1). The media headlines and political discourse features financial crises where immigrants are waiting enthusiastically for assistance, maintaining hopes and expecting politicians to formulate the needful reform to the current immigration system (Reeves 1). The recent heated debate over whether or not the president Trump and the Congress should implement the Obama's Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) suite has revealed widening divisions between Democrat and Republican Parties (Bacon 1). The Democrat and Republican Parties’ has contrasting reforms on immigration where differences are evident in the construction of the USA-Mexico wall, DACA reforms and, legalization of the undocumented immigrants.
The Republican Party's Stance on Immigration
The Republican Party and the president Trump are advocating for a wall that can constrain the illegal immigrants from entering the United States. For instance, the Trump government has requested the legislators to apportion $ 18 billion across the decade to facilitate construction of 316 miles fence along the US-Mexico border (Bacon 3). However, there is already 654 miles fence along the border, implying that the reform means physical barrier against the illegal immigrants from Mexico (Bacon 3). According to the Republicans, a physical wall on the US-Mexico border is appropriate if the government want to attain its responsibility in protecting the American sovereignty and securing the nation. Besides, the republicans allude that the fence is vital in limiting the penetration of drug cartels, terrorists, human traffickers and other threatening individuals from Mexico into the United States (Bacon 3). Correspondingly, the Republicans claim that the border transmits the message that the likely illegal immigrants should follow the law (Bacon 3).
The Democrats' Stance on Immigration
The Democrats are on the defensive and flaunt their love of Salvadorans, Haitians, and the Muslims similarly to other immigrants into the USA from elsewhere (Wilkinson 1). Consequently, Democrats remain in opposition over the construction of the US-Mexican border. Correspondingly, the party has opposed every proposal to cut illegal immigration. A point in case, Democratic politicians from Los Angeles and New York have designated sanctuaries in their cities for illegal immigrants under threat from the federal agents. For illustration, an E-mail sent by Anita Dunn, a Democratic consultant reads, “President Trump has entered into the right-wing situation on the issue of immigration with his rhetoric questions and his actions as if there is a new center, which is intensely anti-racist, rational on reform and pro-DACA” (Wilkinson 1). Besides, Paul Maslin, the Democratic Party’s pollster asserts that the issue of the US-Mexico border construction is overwhelmed by malignity and chaos of the Trump’s presidency (Wilkinson 1). According to the Democrats, it would be ideal for the American policy on immigration to balance between helping the immigrants at the country’s border, make decisions on treating them humanely and, minimize the risk of entering the United States (Wilkinson 2).
The Democrats' Support for DACA
The Democrats are unified on opinion and advocates for legislation of DACA which fundamentally implies that majority of the children who immigrated to the USA as children can get job permits and thus evade deportation (Bacon 2). Besides, the majority of democrats treat DACA as an essential party reform and would defend it at all costs regardless of whether it implies a shutdown cost. Thus, the party actively shield DACA program, an act which can be connotative to the Democrat's lenient stance. On a memo published on a particular Monday, Tank remarked, "Latinos are essential members of the liberal coalition, and progressive leaders have to defend them" (Bacon2). It is therefore evident that the Democrats advocate for the DACA reform program even though it is out of touch with working-class and the white for its direct beneficiaries are the Latinos (Bacon 2).
The Republican Party's Opposition to DACA
The Republican Party advocates for strict measures on immigration alluding that any form of leniency for illegal immigrants will encourage its perpetuation in the future (Bacon 3). Hence, the party opposes the DACA reform and is reluctant to push its legislation such that it could be stalled permanently. Besides, President Trump and conservative Republicans such as the Arkansas Sen. Tom Cotton has recommended limiting the capability of U.S. migrants to petition for their families to migrate into the country as well (Bacon 3). Similarly, the republic party plans to minimize the number of legal immigrants that are permitted to settle into the nation per annum. The president is currently preparing to hire an extra 15,000 patrol agents to facilitate enforcement of the immigration law (Bacon 3). Also, the president has claimed that he can only approve provisions such as DACA if there are considerations of immigration limits.
Republicans' Views on Citizenship for Immigrants
The Republican Party has an elaborate opinion that the illegal immigrants in the USA should apply for citizenship only after completion of the border issue (Mortel 1). At least half of the Republicans claim that there should be the establishment of adequate border control before applying for citizenship by immigrants (Mortel 2). Besides, the majority of the Republicans have an opinion that grant of citizenship to illegal immigrants would encourage the trend and ultimately lead to drain on government services. Also, Republicans assert that conceding citizenship to unlawful immigrants implies reward for such behavior and future loss of jobs by U.S citizens (Mortel 2). However, the party admits that it is unrealistic to deploy all the illegal immigrants at once and that such an action can lead to adverse economic consequences (Mortel 3).
The Democrats' Approach to Immigration Reform
Democrats hold immigration policy as a chance to restart the American society (Reeves 2). Though the party identifies the necessity of protecting the country's borders, infrastructure, and technology, the Democrats advocates for comprehensive immigration reform rather than piecemeal struggles (Reeves 2). The party plans for the legalization of immigrants through measures like increased family and employment-oriented visas, resolving the dysfunctional immigration bureaucracy and, improving the naturalization process (Reeves 2). Also, the party backs plan for legalizing undocumented immigrants into becoming full citizens of the United States. Irrefutably, the party advocates for a system that necessitates for loyal but illegitimate immigrants to study the English language, contribute taxes and, embrace the opportunity in becoming full citizens of the United States (Reeves 2).
Conclusion
In conclusion, it is evident that there is a need for reforming the current American immigration policy. However, there is a sharp contrast between the current reforms by the Democrat and Republican Parties. For instance, the Republican Party supports the construction of the U.S-Mexico wall claiming that it is a way to remind the illegal immigrants to respect the law. In contrast, the Democrat party opposes construction of the wall and asserts that the government must assist migrants, treat them humanely and minimize the risk of entering the USA. Secondly, the Democrat Party supports the legislation of DACA reforms while the Republican Party opposes it. Another contrast is manifest in the legalization of illegal immigrants which the Democrat party supports while the Republican Party opposes it, claiming that such a reform would encourage such a trend and drain off the government services.
Works Cited
Bacon, P. "The Compromise On Immigration Is Clear, But The Parties Are Struggling To Get There." Retrieved from https://fivethirtyeight.com/features/the-bipartisan-compromise-on-immigration-is-clear-but-the-parties-are-struggling-to-get-there/
Motel, S. "On Immigration, Republicans Favor Path to Legal Status, but Differ over Citizenship." Pew Research Center, 28 Jan. 2014, www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2014/01/28/on-immigration-republicans-favor-path-to-legal-status-but-differ-over-citizenship/.
Reeves, R., and J. Johnson. "REPUBLICAN VS. DEMOCRAT - Platforms On Immigration - REEVES MILLER ZHANG " DIZA." REEVES MILLER ZHANG " DIZA, 29 Dec. 2017, www.rreeves.com/immigration-news/republican-vs-democrat-platforms-on-immigration/.
Wilkinson, F. "Democrats Hitch Their Party to Immigrants | RealClearPolitics." RealClearPolitics - Opinion, News, Analysis, Video and Polls, 17 Jan. 2018, www.realclearpolitics.com/2018/01/17/democrats_hitch_their_party_to_immigrants_431733.html/.
