| Illegal Immigrants - The problem only gets bigger | | | | their country for crimes committed or because |
| How does one define an illegal immigrant? A | | | | their own lives are at risk. In countries like France, |
| person who does not possess a legal permit to | | | | it is against the law to help an illegal immigrant |
| live in a specific country and does so illegally, is | | | | enter the country and if a person wants to get |
| called an illegal migrant or an undocumented | | | | French citizenship, there are certain procedures |
| worker. These people may enter the country by | | | | which have to be followed once the person turns |
| unlawful means, may enter the country legally and | | | | 18. |
| then overstay their permitted tenure or may | | | | Are they a blessing or a menace? |
| even violate set terms on their permanent | | | | In the States alone, there are mixed reactions |
| resident card. Illegal immigration is a very serious | | | | with regard to illegal immigrants. Many such |
| issue which plagues many countries and in | | | | immigrants turn to low skilled jobs in sectors such |
| particular the USA. Most countries have very | | | | as construction, hospitality and other domestic |
| strict laws and legal proceedings when it comes to | | | | services in an attempt to survive one way or the |
| illegal immigrants, and spend huge amounts of | | | | other. While there is a general feeling that these |
| money to tackle the problem. For instance, the | | | | immigrants take away jobs that belong to |
| USA has sanctioned 600 million dollars to improve | | | | American citizens, it is also true that some end up |
| security along the USA-Mexico border, but still | | | | with jobs that are usually rejected by others. For |
| finds it hard to contain the issue. In the States | | | | instance, in Arizona alone where stricter laws are |
| alone, it is believed that there are at least ten | | | | being enforced to deport such immigrants; |
| million illegal immigrants already in the country and | | | | farmers claim that they rely on illegal immigrants a |
| at least half a million new people to add to these | | | | great deal especially during harvest time. In other |
| numbers who come every month. Automatic | | | | words, if not for the long hours of back breaking |
| citizenship given to children who are born in the | | | | labor put in by these immigrants; fresh fruits and |
| States as well as better living and working | | | | vegetables would take longer to end up in most |
| conditions are just a few of the reasons why | | | | kitchens across America. Work regulations in the |
| people go to great lengths to cross over to | | | | States actually prohibit employers from hiring such |
| America. | | | | illegal immigrants so that citizens get the bulk of |
| Crossing Over Illegally | | | | the jobs. While some employers may hire such |
| How does an illegal immigrant cross over to a | | | | individuals out of sympathy, most of them cheat |
| new country? Well that depends entirely on the | | | | such immigrants by making them work in unsafe |
| country's surroundings and location. In the States | | | | conditions for pay that is much lower than the |
| for instance, many cross over directly from | | | | industry standards. The fear of deportation back |
| Mexico or even attempt to cross the Atlantic | | | | to where they came from, makes illegal |
| Ocean in crude boats. Sometimes, they may also | | | | immigrants put with such harsh suffering in silence. |
| hide themselves in trucks which contain goods or | | | | On the other hand, many citizens feel that illegal |
| other heavy material, in the hope that they can | | | | immigrants openly flout a country's laws, do not |
| cross the border undetected. Most of the times, | | | | always show respect for culture, are more |
| there is also a middle man involved who takes a | | | | involved in unlawful activities like smuggling, drugs, |
| fee for getting people across the border or for | | | | arms trade etc and often set a bad example for |
| providing fake documents, even if there is a huge | | | | society. The fact that many immigrants also do |
| risk involved in getting them across safely. It may | | | | not pay taxes, means that they are in a way |
| seem illogical to take such drastic measures in the | | | | living off taxpayers. Illegal immigration is a |
| hope of a better life, but it's important to | | | | controversial topic which has been around for |
| remember that most illegal immigrants flee their | | | | centuries, but such immigrants deserve to be |
| home country because of varying reasons. It | | | | treated with a certain degree of respect and |
| could be due to the lack of opportunities, to give | | | | fairness, no matter where they are from. |
| their children a better life, they may be wanted in | | | | |