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1 February 2012 A Divide on the Payoff of Legalizing Immigrants

 If illegal immigrants in Texas were given legal status, it could generate $1.4 billion a year for the government. This article focuses on the debate over legalizing immigrants. Allowing immigrants to work legally would also require them to pay taxes. This money would go straight to state and federal agencies, specifically Social Security and Medicare (AGUILAR). There are those who believe that given the state of the economy, this reform would certainly make sense. There is however, a lot of criticism from supporters of the strict immigration laws. The executive director of the Immigration Reform Coalition of Texas, Maria Martinez is against this, saying that jobs need to be preserved for citizens, and it would also provide financial benefits.  This article is very relevant to the American Identity. It emphasizes that many think immigrants should not be allowed into the country. The “American Dream” describes the perceived opportunities in America, which is why America remains attractive to immigrants, even though America tries to get rid of them (American). Our beliefs stem from liberty, equality, and constitutionalism. Where’s the equality in throwing people out of the country?  The other reason this article is showing the American Identity is both sides in the argument are basing their statements on money. Let’s face it, when other countries think of America most think of wealth and economic opportunity. Both sides in the legalizing immigrants issue are trying to prove which decision would generate more money for the U.S., barely mentioning the effects on immigrants. This only further demonstrates the American Identity. Immigration has a large impact on the United States; however it is difficult to say whether it is negative or positive. There is so much talk of illegal immigration, but little attention is given to legal immigration. There are positives including increased diversity and improving America’s image. Also adds a group of cheap labor to businesses, leading to cheaper prices, better quality products and more profits (Balanced). There are also more people to pay taxes, helping the government. Yet, there are also negatives to immigration. Americans making less money and poorer immigrants use a large amount of government resources. There is also the issue of too diverse multiculturalism, and the American Identity disappearing. 1. Do the positives of legal immigration outweigh the negatives? 2. If immigrants were legalized, would they have to pay higher taxes? 3. Do all the predictions deal with this one area, or can they be applied to other areas of the county? 4. Is there more support for legalizing immigrants or keeping them illegal? AGUILAR, JULIÁN. "A Divide on the Payoff of Legalizing Immigrants." //The New York Times//. The Texas Trubune, 28 Jan. 2012. Web. 1 Feb. 2012. .
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 16px;">"American Exceptionalism." Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia. Web. 01 Feb. 2012. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_exceptionalism>.

<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 16px;">"BalancedPolitics.org - Legal Immigration (Pros & Cons, Arguments For and Against, Advantages & Disadvantages)." BalancedPolitics.org - Free Balanced, Non-Partisan Discussion of Political & Social Issues for Debate (Pros and Cons - Decision Making Politics). Web. 01 Feb. 2012. <http://www.balancedpolitics.org/immigration.htm>.