Briefly summarize the current debate regarding immigration and homeland security. Explain your views on the immigration debate

Question

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

• Some arguments claim that illegal immigration is not a problem, while the opposite side maintains that legal, let alone illegal, immigration is destroying civilization.
• Many elected officials argue that the United States cannot be secure unless its borders are secure.
• A few people want to eliminate immigration, but more want to stop only illegal immigration and install tighter controls on immigration from countries that may harbor hostility toward the United States.
• Other people believe the immigration debate is overemphasized.
• Most of the people concerned with border security make the distinction between legal and illegal immigration, and their primary concern reflects a desire for the rule of law.
• The southern border is not secure, and DHS plans for securing the border have not been adequate? this is a security threat, not only in terms of terrorism but from a variety of other criminal activities.
• The multiple numbers of bureaucracies responsible for border security are inefficient, and the structure fails to focus all efforts.
• To correct the situation, many people feel that U.S. military forces should be deployed along the border until civilian law enforcement can be consolidated and physical and technological barriers can be established to prevent illegal border crossings.
• There is confusion about the relationship between local law enforcement and federal agencies.
• This is complicated by the number of federal agencies that have a role in border security and immigration.
• Finally, there are concerns with the efficiency of immigration laws? some people argue that they are not being enforced, some want tougher laws, and still others believe border security is not an issue in preventing terrorism.