Pros and Cons of Amnesty for Illegal Immigrants

A variety of solutions to the U.S. illegal immigration problem have been debated, one of which is amnesty.

While Congress has not passed legislation permitting illegal immigrants to stay in the United States without punishment, President Barack Obama has sent directives for immigration laws to not be enforced, according to The Heritage Foundation, causing stir on the subject.

Here are some of the pros and cons to amnesty legalization.

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PROS

1. The government would earn more in taxes.
Many illegal aliens are paid under the table because of trouble with the law. By providing the undocumented workers with amnesty, they could be paid legally and pay taxes, contributing to Medicare, Medicaid, and Social Security, the NLCATP reported.

2. Welfare dollars would be going toward American legal residents.
Billions of taxpayers’ dollars goes toward illegal aliens every year, ABC News reported. By making the immigrants legal residents, the money would then be contributing to the welfare of Americans, no longer foreigners.

3. It contributes to diversity.
Amnesty promotes immigration, which brings people with many different backgrounds and beliefs. These nurtured experiences contribute to an individual’s thoughts and ideas, which ultimately strengthen and innovates debate.

4. Illegal immigrants would become part of society.
There are many stereotypes about these undocumented aliens, according to the NLCATP. Many view them as criminals and will isolate them. By giving the immigrants permission to stay, they can join the community and become accountable to the protection of their country and neighbors.

CONS

1. Many who immigrate illegally to the United States do not keep their funds here.
Many who come to the country without paperwork send their earnings to the country from which they originate, Breitbart reported. This means funds are not staying within the U.S. economy, but instead are going internationally and being added to another nation’s market.

2. It’s unfair.
By providing amnesty to illegals, the government would be pardoning an act against the law. For those who went through the long, tedious process of immigrating to the United States, the government is punishing them and providing favoritism to criminals, according to the Washington Examiner.

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3. It could cause a worse problem.
Many argue that providing amnesty for illegal immigrants already in the United States, opens the door as an incentive to other undocumented travelers to come to the country, the National Review reported. They may believe they can get away with breaking the law because Congress will provide amnesty.

4. It is a drain on funds.
Even if amnesty were to pass, the immigrants may also require the assistance from governmental welfare programs, which could add up to trillions of dollars over the course of their lifetimes, according to The Heritage Foundation.

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