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2 opinion December 19, 2007 Point: America’s arms must remain open ■RYKATF.MAT.FKOFF Co'Editor-in-Chief United States has always pro claimed a tradition of welcoming newcomers who seek better lives re gardless of fheir race, religion, live lihood, or polifical views. Affer all, fhis nafion was founded on such principles. Legal immigrants total ing 1.27 million entered the United States in 2006. What intensifies the debate is the number of illegal im migrants who populate the nation. Predictions suggest over 700,000 immigrants come to the United States illegally each year, literally risking their lives to find whaf they hope is a better future. They find work in factories or in situations re quiring tedious labor, both of which pay minimally; fheir superiors most likely suspect their employees are living in the country illegally yet choose to turn their heads because the laborers work so cheaply. Be cause of their illegal status, the im migrants do not receive benefits like health insurance; consequently, many of fhem cannof afford doctor visits for illnesses or preventa- five care, and hel p is hard to find. Confinuing debates between Democrats and Republicans about immigration focus on fhe issues of economics, healfh, education, poli tics, and the environment. Several conservatives hold a firm stance that illegal immigrants are taking jobs that unemployed Americans need, and others echo the same belief when fhe unemploymenf rate is high. However, immigrants are willing to take jobs that many Americans, es pecially the Baby Boomer genera tion, are not willing to take because of bofh fhe exfremely low wages and lack of healfh benefifs. Conserva tives also feel fhat because many il legal immigrants do not pay taxes, our federal and state payments are used to help not only taxpaying Americans, but also immigrants merely reaping the benefits. How ever, how could anyone ignore the basic needs of a child? As fhe wealfhiesf nafion in fhe counfry, we should be jumping at the chance to help those in need, especially here at home. Many immigrants have risked everything they have, left family and friends behind fo search for a befter life in our counfry, and fhe leasf we can do is show some compassion. One of the only times President Bush has actually made a smart move during his term of office oc curred as he encouraged bofh parties in the Senate to unite on the issue of immigration by forming a compro mise. Bush certainly knows about the benefits of immigration, consid ering he is from Texas, a state highly dependent upon migrant workers. If immigrants in the Lone Star State were forced to leave, the state would certainly feel fhe effects. Democrat Kay Hagan, running for U.S. Senator in North Carolina, may be quite instrumental in executing this compromise, which I deter mined after listening to her speak * State Senator Kay Haganpresently seeks a seat in the U.S. Senate. Hagan’s stance on immigration has raised awareness throughout North Carolina, thus urging citizens to influence legislative changes. ing on National Public Radio a month ago. She stated that this na tion must follow fhe laws currenfly in place regarding immigration, but it is necessary to start creating new laws to allow immigrants to enter the country safely and legally without the necessity of walls. The lasf en- acfment to deal with such issues was the 1990 Immigration Act, which al lowed for a maximum of 700,000 im- migranfs and increased visas by 40 percenf. In 1996, fhe Antiferrorism and Effective Death Penalty Act, along with the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigranf Responsibilify Act, increased the category of criminal activify thaf allowed deporfation of immigranfs from the U.S. Clinton was President at this time, Michael Jordan was still playing professional basketball for fhe Chicago Bulls, and Princess Diana and Prince Charles had just divorced. Obviously, times have changed, so policies deserve the attention of reconsideration. Government officials musf find a way for individuals who desire fo live in the United States to enjoy the many benefits this nation has to of fer. America prospers because of mulficulturalism. It would be a shame to defy the tradition and cor nerstone upon which predecessors built this country's foundation. Counterpoint: America is for Americans IBYGORDIF.MCDIARMID Features Editor Supporters of amnesfy for illegal immigrants argue the undocu mented workers are doing the work that many Americans will not toler ate because of low wages. They also dispute these aliens do not profit from our healfh care system and other government-aid agencies. I ar gue it is not America's problem. Our government has the obligation to take care of us, the American citizens. Why should we take care of indi viduals who have entered our coun try illegally? Arriving in the United States ille gally are 700,000 to 800,000 immi grants each year. With our employ ment rate at 4.7 %, statistics I find as tonishing, we have a major problem. I cannot imagine citizens willingly accepting unemployment as ap posed to job security. Is it not the American dream to prosper by work ing hard and achieving greatness fol lowing a modes! beginning? If is difficult to achieve success without starting points from which to launch one's progress. Over eight million illegal immi grants currently reside in this nation. To grant them amnesty would only dishonor the hard work that many immigrants endured to become legal citizens. California currently spends $8 million per year on educating il legal immigrants, which is $8 million of our faxes thaf benefit individuals who have no right being in the U.S. since they entered the country ille gally and do not contribute to the tax system. It just does not seem right to punish our own citizens so that oth ers can benefit, when they do not even show us the respect of entering our country legally. When discussing the politics con cerning immigration today, I agree that our policies must change. More border security and tougher penal ties on those caught crossing the bor der illegally should be the new policy on immigration. Terrorism is a major problem in today's society. rts* /'A Officers search each car trying to cross into the United States border in New York. Since 2000, over 700,000 illegal immigrants have entered the United States each year. "In this age of terror, immigrafion is not only an economic issue but also a national security issue," said former governor of Arkansas and Republican presidenfial hopeful Mike Huckabee. I agree. If immigranfs would rafher sneak info fhis country than apply for a visa and complete the other tasks required to become a citizen, then we should deny them any leniency. Volume 84 Issue 4 The High Life Staff welcomes comments in the form of letters to the editor from students, faculty, and the reading public. Letters may be turned in to the office. All letters must be signed. The staff reserves the right to reject any letter containing libelous statements, the right to edit for length and grammatical errors, and the right to ascertain the truthfulness of its content. The High Life is published nine times a year and is produced by the students of Grimsley High School, 801 Westover Terrace, Greensboro, NC 27408. The High Life functions as a medium for creative journalistic pursuits as well as a training instrument for aspiring journalists, artists, and writer. The High Life functions as a public forum for student expression. Editors-in-Chief: Emily Harden and Kate Malekoff, Executive Copy Editor: Rachel Weinstock, News Editor: Courtney Brown, Opinion Editor: Elizabeth Detmar, Features Editors: Gordie McDiarmid and Katherine Phillips, Sports Editor: Daniel Aronson, Advertising Manager: Leigh Joyce, Photographer: Brittney Pace, Staff Writer: Blair Bloomquist, Reporters: Jennifer Brooks, Meredith Harman, Mandy Hiatt, Adviser: Lynn Rozelman.
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