Illegal Immigration
Throughout the united States of America there is a phenomena occurring in nine specific areas. These areas are known as the "Nine Nations of North America." Contrary to what the title says of this phenomena the nine nations are nine different states within the United States of America. These states are California, New York, Texas, Florida, Nevada, New Mexico, New Jersey, Illinois, and Arizona but what makes them the nine nations is the amount of immigrants in these states. These immigrants are not just from Mexico and Latin America but from all over the world with the former Soviet Union being the leader in migrants to the U.S. To examine the problem that arises with mass immigration I turn my focus to California. San Diego, California is a first hand look at the effects of interborder commerce as well as the conflicts that have arisen throughout the years. My focus takes a look at Operation gatekeeper and the economic impact of illegal immigration on California and San Diego. California is home to more than 1.8 million illegal immigrants (nearly 5.6% of our total state population). An additional 125,000 cross the border to settle into California each year. California is mandated by the federal government to provide educa
The operation mainly controlled by the Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS), and uses the assistance of other federal, state, and local law enforcement and immigration agencies, as well as some military units. Another strategy Operation Gatekeeper uses to reduce illegal immigration indirectly is the use of a new nation wide data base which keeps on record the names and social security numbers of legal workers, so that work eligibility can be more easily obtained. This system makes it much more difficult for undocumented immigrants to find legitimate work. Also, government sanctions are being placed on employers who hire illegal immigrants. Governor Wilson says that Proposition 187 will save the state as much as $200 million, offset by $100 million of administrative costs. This is not taking into consideration the possible loss of approximately $15 billion from the federal government which it has threatened to with hold if California passes a law which is inconsistent with a federal law. If the federal government does indeed with hold $15 billion from California, then the initiative would be an utter failure (9). The Clinton administration has taken action to deal with and prevent illegal immigration. One such action was the creation of Operation Gatekeeper. Operation Gatekeeper began in late 1994, and was designed to dramatically reduce the number of successful illegal border crossings. Operation Gatekeeper provided $500 million to border states for the purpose of hiring over 100 new border patrol agents, purchasing new vehicles, and other surveillance equipment. Under Operation Gatekeeper the government directly reduces illegal immigration by placing myriad personnel and equipment on the border with the purpose of detecting and apprehending illegal border crossers (1). The decreased value of the Mexican Peso is partially to blame for the increase in illegal border crossing. Illegal immigrants come to the Unites States in hopes to find an education for themselves or their children, to find work, and to better their daily lives. By coming to the United States, immigrants are given a chance to attend public schools, receive emergency health care, and other public services. Immigrants know that they will have a greater chance of making a living in America and stand to loose very little for failure, so they migrate north in search of that "American Dream" (10).
Some common words found in the essay are:
Operation Gatekeeper, California California, United United, Wilson Proposition, Pete Wilson, Border Patrol, Basically Proposition, Mexican Peso, Diego California, America Instead, illegal immigrants, federal government, proposition 187, illegal immigration, operation gatekeeper, illegal border, border patrol, health care, emergency health, emergency health care, illegal border crossings, patrol agents, illegal immigration california, border patrol agents, california san diego,
Approximate Word count = 1843
Approximate Pages = 7 (250 words per page double spaced)
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