Should immigrants be allowed to stay in a country if they’ve come by illegal means? Illegal immigrants are often trying to make a better life for themselves. Amnesty could provide them with this opportunity, but there are some pros and cons that must be considered.
The Pros of Amnesty for Illegal Immigrants
1. It provides people with an escape route.
Many illegal immigrants leave their nation not because they want more money, but because they want more safety. Governments around the world can be very oppressive, so fleeing for a less oppressive government is often worth any risks taken. Providing amnesty allows for greater protection for these people.
2. It creates an economy stimulus.
People who are in a country illegally are still purchasing goods and services. Providing them with amnesty allows for this economic benefit to continue.
3. It creates diversity.
Although people are afraid of differences, it is within those differences that real strength can be found. Providing amnesty for illegal immigrants creates a diverse population base that in return creates a stronger overall nation.
The Cons of Amnesty for Illegal Immigrants
1. There’s a reason why they’re called “illegal.”
There is a legal process to immigration. It was created for some very specific reasons. Allow people to stay even though they arrived illegally undermines the law and sets a dangerous precedent for other laws.
2. It removes open positions from the job pool.
There are people in a nation who can’t find a job even though they are a legal immigrant or a natural born citizen. Illegal immigrants with amnesty further dilutes the job availability and makes it more difficult for everyone to earn a living.
3. It creates a law enforcement headache.
How can you tell if someone is in the country legally or illegally if amnesty is involved? Law enforcement would either be forced to stop people suspected of illegal immigration or allow all potential immigrants to continue on their way. Enforcing immigration laws would become a massive headache for officials.
Everyone provides a certain contribution to the society in which they belong. Does that contribution make up for the fact that illegal immigrants are breaking the law without amnesty? The answer to that question will help to determine whether or not the pros of providing amnesty to illegal immigrants outweighs the potential cons.
Crystal Lombardo is a contributing editor for Vision Launch. Crystal is a seasoned writer and researcher with over 10 years of experience. She has been an editor of three popular blogs that each have had over 500,000 monthly readers.
