Undocumented Immigration Divides the Nation: What’s Your Opinion?
Written by FileRight
It’s no surprise that the country is divided on immigration, specifically on what to do about the population of 11 million undocumented immigrants living and working here. This divide has led to a stagnant Congress, unable to pass laws for comprehensive reform; a President who has used executive action to implement (or attempt to implement) sweeping immigration policy changes; and states that have taken—what some consider a federal issue—into their own hands.
How do you feel about undocumented immigration? Educate yourself on the issues and vote!
In the past three years, states have individually enacted 500 laws related to immigration, fundamentally changing rights, restrictions and policies surrounding undocumented immigrants. Some states have made it easier to live and work without legal status, while others have made it much more difficult. The result is a chaotic collection of regulations that change from state to state, and a country that’s grown even more divided on the issue.
States like California have acted to welcome and integrate their undocumented population, allowing immigrants to receive benefits like public health care, access to driver’s licenses and in-state tuition. Other states, including Texas, Arizona and Alabama, have created incredibly restrictive environments with bolstered enforcement laws that encourage the finding and reporting of unauthorized immigrants.
California, Florida and Tennessee enacted or extended laws that allow undocumented immigrants to receive in-state college tuition. Missouri did the opposite.
DC and California began issuing driver’s licenses and ID’s to residents regardless of immigration status.
Massachusetts, Louisiana and Kentucky enacted laws that require proof of legal immigration status to obtain firearm, hunting and fishing permits.
In Florida, undocumented immigrants were granted the right to practice law.
New Hampshire began requiring all employers to verify that workers were legally in the U.S.
While all this disparate, uncoordinated state lawmaking happened—the President attempted to bring national uniformity to the issue. In November 2014, he announced executive actions that would have given protection from deportation and the right to work to 4 million undocumented immigrants.
Today, at least 14 states stand alongside him. But, 26 are currently suing to dissolve the programs and have succeeded in temporarily stopping them from being implemented.
The division prevails.
While all states appear to desire reform in immigration, there’s certainly an inability to agree on exactly what that reform should look like. And each step away from compromise creates a messier immigration landscape.
How do you feel about rights and restrictions for undocumented immigrants? Check out Countable to learn more about important immigration bills, and tell your representatives how you want them to vote.
Danielle McCrea is the Social Media Manager for FileRight.com, and the editor of its blog, Immigration Today. A background in journalism and a passion for immigration reform led her to work with FileRight.com, whose software enables people to independently complete their immigration paperwork online. Read more at Immigration Today or follow on Twitter at @fileright.