Solution to the HLS-EM Problem

Abstract

In the United States, factors that attract immigrants to come to the United States and the root causes that make migrants leave their country for other countries influence immigration patterns. The U.S. has a superior economy with a high probability of gainful employment compared to other countries. People sometimes move into the country with the hopes of uniting with their family members. At the same time, political chaos, high levels of poverty, or war influence immigration. The resulting consequence is that the number of immigrants continues to increase with most of them not attaining legal status. This issue requires comprehensive attention since no policies or laws, especially on illegal immigration will be effective. In light of this, the paper will provide a discussion on the solutions that should focus wholly on the security of the borders, in addition to understanding how and why the immigrants come into the country in large numbers.

Solution to the HLS-EM Problem

1. Introduction

In the United States, illegal immigration is immense, considering that there are more than ten million undocumented individuals and the population increases every year. On one side, the occurrence of so many immigrants is a powerful demonstration of the attractive nature of the country. However, it is also a sign of the precariously open borders of the nation. The typical immigrants come to America mainly looking for better opportunities and in the process; they increase value to the economy of the nation. Nevertheless, they also lessen the value by weakening national security. Although the immigrants do not pose any security risk directly, their presence misrepresents the law, confuses the distribution of resources, and effectively creates a cover for criminals, as well as, terrorists. To solve this problem of no meaningful laws and policies on immigration, the solutions should not only focus exclusively on the security of the borders but they should also evaluate the incentives that bring the immigrants into the country.

• Solution 1: Current immigrant workers be motivated to register themselves
• The government should enact a program that is more attractive to undocumented workers (Bruno, 2008, p.15). This new program that is aimed at the immigrant workers should include positive inducements for agreement as well as punishments for those who refuse to comply. For instance, the program could cap the tenure of immigrant workers at six years.
• If the objective is to limit the number of undocumented immigrant workers, then a renewable work permit that is short-term will have a higher probability of success instead of a single permit with that has an expiration date that is not flexible.
• Solution 2: Include organizations and companies as part of the reform
• The restructuring of immigration will only be effective when the companies and organizations will be included as part of the reform and they will provide not only support but will also facilitate its enforcement within the country (United States Office of the President, 2013, p.2).
• This solution must evade tedious red tape, and provisions that would make it simpler to hire currently undocumented workers in the country. Companies and organizations have been used to hire undocumented workers and this resulted in a negative impact on the economy.
• This solution will limit how employers hire illegal immigrants and will also involve providing stable funding for internal enforcement organizations to monitor and indict the organizations and companies that do not comply with the law.
• Solution 3: Enforce a legal entry system for the immigrants
• Enforcing a legal entry system for the illegal immigrants who are dwelling within the country is a potential solution.  The approach would involve allowing the current undocumented migrants to leave the country and then permitted back into the U.S. through a system of border checkpoints with firm settings for identifying themselves, documenting, and complying with the law of the country (Recker, 2014, p.10).
• However, if the reform program, in its place, encompasses lengthy periods for re-entry into the country, the current illegal immigrants will not have any motivation to comply with this reform. Besides, the undocumented workers might consider this reform as an attempt by the U.S. to remove them from the country completely.
• This solution will work only if the government provides proper motivation to the illegal immigrants by assuring them that the reform will only serve to make them part of the country as opposed to removing them altogether.
• Solution 4: Punishing the illegal immigrants who refuse to comply as a message to the rest.
• This solution entails punishing the illegal immigrants who do not agree with the reforms. Within the country, the immigrants who refuse to register themselves and are consequently detained should be castigated with more than just deportation. For instance, the punishments could involve a ten-year prohibition on employment participation for those who refuse to register (Greenhill, 2010, p.123).
• In addition, Congress could also contemplate a lifetime ban on the illegal immigrants who apply for and receive the country’s citizenship.
• Along with that, stringent penalties could be introduced, such as spending time in jail and seizing the possessions of the illegal immigrants.
• These punishments, as well as the ban on the chance to obtain citizenship in the country, will be a strong motivation for illegal immigrants to go through the process of documenting and registering themselves. By doing so, the problem of immigration and its resulting effects in the country will have a better chance of mitigation.
• Conclusion

To conclude, a comprehensive immigration reform should be established within the country. Immigration is not a bad thing for the country, however, the problem lies in the lack of effective laws and policies on immigration. As a result, there are various solutions that should be implemented. One solution will be to ensure that the illegal immigrants document and register themselves. Another solution will be to make sure that companies and organizations are included as part of the reform. Additionally, a new system for legal re-entry will guarantee that there are fewer illegal migrants dwelling in the country. Punishment will be crucial to implementing the immigration reform laws and policies as well. Overall, the issue of immigration within the country should be dealt with accordingly so as to reduce the risks to national security.

References

Bruno, A. (2008). Immigration: Policy Considerations Related to Guest Worker Programs. Homeland Security Digital Library. Retrieved from https://www.hsdl.org/?abstract&did=483579

Garcia, M. J. (2013). Immigration Enforcement: Major Provisions in H.R. 2278, the Strengthen and Foritfy Enforcement Act (SAFE Act). Homeland Security Digital Library.  Retrieved from https://www.hsdl.org/?abstract&did=745045

Greenhill, K. M. (2010). Weapons of Mass Migration: Forced Displacement as an Instrument of Coercion. Homeland Security Digital Library. Retrieved from https://www.hsdl.org/?abstract&did=792542

Recker, K. E. (2014). Citizenship and Terrorism: The Significance of a Pathway to Citizenship on Homeland Security. Homeland Security Digital Library. Retrieved from https://www.hsdl.org/?abstract&did=754052

The United States. Executive Office of the President. (2013). Fixing Our Broken Immigration System: The Economic Benefits of Providing a Path to Earned Citizenship. Homeland Security Digital Library. Retrieved from https://www.hsdl.org/?abstract&did=742611