The Obama Government, Immigration Law and Work Permits
The Obama Government, Immigration Law and Work Permits
Nakamura writes that “There are an estimated 11 million immigrants living in the country illegally” (Nakamura). Ideally, a number of strategies have been instituted to ensure individuals have better living standards. Through Obama administration policies, many of the affected individuals have been given work permits so that they can enjoy the liberties that other citizens exercise such as employment. Innately, it is evident that “the explosion of immigrants reduces the opportunities of employment for the natives so the oppositions of the immigration laws maintain negative opinions for immigrants” (Ehrenfreund). For example, it is stated that “the increase in the number of individuals that enter into the United States limits the employment levels in the country due to an enlarged labor force” (Ehrenfreund). Due to this situation, it is perceived that denial of work permits to individuals could have a positive influence to the country as more people will have employment as opposed to the current state. Thus, current immigration laws have made the lives of immigrants unbearable as they are condemned to modern slavery and injustices because the courts have failed to uphold humanity.
It is evident that most of the immigrants in the United States are treated without dignity because some of them are subjected to sexual harassment and violence. Ideally, the law does not offer adequate protection to individuals and this exacerbates the situation. First,Claros’ reactions show how the rest of local whites should react after witnessing the oppression and humiliation suffered by their fellow inhabitants. It is true that immigrants are also decent people just like the native- whites. Thus, they deserve better treatment. Claros’ comments also show how immigrant workers persevered for many decades while being subjected to indecent housing and wages. This is a major blemish to America’s history and since nothing can be done to change it, “the federal government should approve the Obama immigration policies as a way of compensating today’s immigrants for the wrongs done to their people in earlier years”(Nakamura and Constable). Ideally, this is the initial challenge that immigrants face when they enter into the region. Since most of them have origins from countries that do not communicate in English, they have a hard time to communicate to the other individuals and this becomes problematic. In fact, “the law enforcers that may offer help do not understand the situation and they may offer minimal aid due to the barriers in the relay of data” (Nazario 9). However, it is indicated that the immigrants may take ESL classes so that they can learn the basics in the language such that they can communicate with the residents. Additionally, the lack of knowledge of the language worsens the situation since they may not make friends and get employment in the country. This limits their chances as they may not be offered “employment” yet they may not communicate to customers.
Garrison and Bensinger write that “Workers were stripped of their passports and assigned to sleep in a filthy, foul-smelling trailer infested with insects and mice.” This shows that immigrant workers experienced prejudice and discrimination, and they lack basic housing necessities. In the modern civilized world, such treatment represents abuse of human rights and freedoms. Thus, human rights organizations should fight more for equal treatment and respect among all United States inhabitants. For this reason, everyone deserves to be compensated equally and adequately regarding the work done despite the racial or ethnic profile of the worker. Adoption of such treatment will improve the quality of work done due to increased workers’ morale.
It is evident that “there are over 11 million immigrants in the US” (Nakamura) and the number continues to increase as most of the individuals seek an economy that offers improved opportunities. For example, many of the immigrants feel that the United States is one of the most progressive economies in the world and can offer myriads of employment opportunities with improved remuneration. Due to the perception, “many people feel that they need to enter into the country so that they can uplift the financial position of their families” (Nakamura and Constable). Contrastingly, there is an upsurge of immigrants in the United States such that the labor market is saturated with job seekers. Ideally, the laws of demand and supply indicate that an increase on one side would influence the other. Thus, when there is an increase in the supply of labor while the demand for services is constant, the rate of payment reduces significantly. For this reason, many people are underemployed due to the availability of cheap about in the country. Imperatively, many of the immigrants may not have descent employment since most of the individuals are desperate to find any chance of employment.
It is apparent that most of the immigrants enter into the United States with their young children so that they can attain an improved life as opposed to the current situation in their countries. Contrastingly, they note that the circumstances may not be appropriate as they find it hard to get descent employment. Resultantly, “there is the instigation of child labor as the minors have to assist their parents to acquire resources that they use” (Nazario 6). For example, the children have to work so that they can buy food for their families. On the other hand, the children are disadvantaged since they do not have ample time to concentrate on their school-work. In fact, most of the children do not have an opportunity to learn since they do not have the legal framework and documents to be enrolled in the institution. Thus, there is a reduction in literacy levels since “most of the children may not attain higher education due to situations in the country” (Ehrenfreund). Due to the lack of Social amenities, immigrants are subjected to low living standards as most of them live in abject poverty and may not attain the basic needs such as food, clothing and shelter. Apparently, the government and judiciary system does not provide ample protection to the immigrants as they find it untenable to live in the situation. Notwithstanding, they may not help to salvage the situation since they do not have the authority to change the laws of the country.
The housing department is tasked with the responsibility of ensuring the residents of the country have decent and affordable housing. Apparently, “the institutions tasked with the responsibility have to deal with a large number of individuals that need hospitable residence and they have difficulty to achieve their objectives” (Nakamura). As such, they prioritize the interests of the natives of the country while the immigrants and refugees are not considered in the initiative. In fact, some of the immigrants are exploited while others have to live in inhospitable environments. For example, some of the landlords in the country may coerce individuals to live in houses that do not have amenities such as water. Additionally, some individuals are forced to live in houses that are infested with bedbugs and other pests that could be harmful to their wellness. On the contrary, some of the institutions of the government do not consider the plight of the individuals since they do not have adequate documentation to guarantee their stay in the country.
“Undocumented immigrants in the United States have myriads of issues as they are having fear to access to the services in the country” (Nazario 8). On one hand, they have difficulty accessing the legal services since they have fear that they may be deported back to their countries. For example, “Valdez and Gonzalez also claimed that they and other women were imprisoned, forced to work for little pay, and frequently harassed by West, who demanded to see their breasts and insisted that having sex with him was their only way out of poverty” (Garrison, Singer-Vine and Bensinger). When they are harassed sexually or intimidated by the natives, they may not seek redress from the judiciary of law enforcers since they decipher that this might be consequential. Garrison and Bensinger indicate that “Women immigrant workers suffered the worst forms of brutality and prejudice from their white employers” (Garrison and Ken). The employers enslaved them with little pay and often raped them and they were regarded as ‘other’ members of the society and were humiliated in front of their fellow workers. Nonetheless, the local whites saw themselves as superior to the immigrant races, and it is why they oppressed and neglected them. More so, Valdez and Gonzalez statements offer evidence of the oppression experienced by immigrant workers in the 1700s and 1800s. This evidence acts as a record of America’s history of navitism and xenophobia.
Some of the individuals may avoid seeking medical attention when they have a problem since they note that the medical service department might expose their presence in the country. As such, most of them struggle with health conditions while others succumb due to irreversible situations. Notably, it is indicated that “immigrants have unlimited stress issues due to the nature of their situation” (Nakamura and Constable). For instance, they have to deal with the inadequate supply of “resources” yet they have boundless needs such as food, clothing and shelter. Additionally, they are often disregarded and treated unfairly and this exacerbates their situation such that stress levels increase significantly. Due to inadequate control measures, most of them may be diagnosed with mental illnesses. However, they do not have the audacity to seek redress to the problem. Notwithstanding, torture, rape and exposure to violence could worsen the situation. For this reason, the Obama government has initiated various measures to ensure the lives of refugees and immigrants are improved. Thus, the institutionalization of the immigration policy in the United States is a crucial step that can improve the lives of the immigrants.
The resident of the United States, Barack Obama, indicated that the government has various measures that seek to redress the problems of immigrants. In his speech, the president stated that “the tradition of the country to welcome immigrants for over 200 years has given the nation advantage over the others for years” (Nakamura). As such, there is a need to protect undocumented individuals so that they can have hospitable conditions in the country. Accordingly, the president stated that the government seeks to ride protection to undocumented individuals in the “country” although they must have been living in the nation for over five years. Nonetheless, it was noted that people that have born children while in the country should be offered protection since their offspring are American citizens. Additionally, people that register to become citizens and ask the criminal background check, are given an opportunity to become citizens. However, they must agree to pay taxes and they will live without any fear of deportation.
A significant number of citizens of the United States are in support of the new legislation as they seek to enhance the lives of immigrants in the country. Accordingly, “nongovernmental organizations are also included in the initiative to improve the service provision to the refugees” (Garrison and Ken). For example, business associations are engaged in the initiative through corporate social responsibilities such that they can help individuals to settle in the country without difficulty. For example, the church council, and prominent companies such as yahoo and Intel are engaged in activities to ensure the administration deals with the situation. Importantly, they are also involved in the execution of reforms to enhance the lives of immigrants although they face opposition from the Republicans. The fact that Republicans are opposing Obama’s program shows that they are only concerned about politics. I think they should take this issue of immigrants seriously, since “many people are suffering out there in the society” (Nakamura). Democrats, on the other hand, seem to be using the program as a way of enticing American citizens to vote for them in the upcoming elections. This strategy, to me, is wrong and disrespectful to the immigrant communities. Even though the Democrats want to help alleviate the suffering of immigrant workers by giving them work permits and quasi-legal status, they should do so willingly and without queer intentions. I support the Obama immigration plan because I think that it will foster equality in our society.
The provision of permits to the immigrants in the country is a crucial perspective that will improve their livelihood in the country. In fact, there are mutual beneficiates to people in distinct segments of the economy. Illustratively, many employers will have access to high-skilled and semi-skilled workers such that they can employ them in different capacities. Due to the need for labor, “the managers have an opportunity to use individuals legally and the economy has a high rate to improve significantly” (Ehrenfreund). Thus, hospitality, manufacturing, technology and tourism industries can be provided benefits from this initiative as they can have an ample supply of the workforce. For example, companies such as McDonalds and Wendy’s depend on low skilled laborers and they have a chance to employ the immigrants who have minimal skills and educational attainment.
The president of the United States instated a deportation relief to over 48% of undocumented immigrants in the United States. In particular, “the individuals will be provided with the required documentation to legalize their stay in the nation” (Nazario 11). For example, most of the people that will benefit from this tenet are immigrants from countries such as Mexico, Central America and other neighboring countries. Innately, it is indicated that the law that has been instituted focuses on critical issues. First, it has to reduce the illegal immigration that is prevalent on the borders of the United States. In recent times, the country has recorded an increase in the number of people that enter into the country without legal documents. In fact, the president guaranteed that “the new law that has been institutionalized does not protect the individuals that have moved to the country recently” (Garrison and Ken). Secondly, the program indicates that undocumented felons may be deported to their countries so that crime rates in the country are controlled. In particular, it is evident that most of the prisons in the United States are crowded due to the high incarceration rate of immigrants. Thirdly, the law is based on various assessments that rove that the individuals that should be provided with documents are not involved in criminal syndicates. Importantly, they have to pass through the background checks and tax requirements so that the government guarantees their residence in the country. For instance, after provision of the documents, the individuals will be legible to access some of the basic services in the country such as education and healthcare.
It is noted that “most of the republican governors had threatened to block the program initiated by the Obama government citing that the government would incur fees in issuance of the driver’s licenses and they alleged that the administration had failed to obey the law” (Nakamura). This statement shows how the local inhabitants perceive immigrants as worthless and inferior. It is a shame how they say that there are no funds for the immigration “plan” yet the United States of America is a superpower that offers aid to hundreds of countries all over the globe. The Republicans should change their perception about immigrants and stop repeating America’s negative history of immigrant discrimination.
“The attainment of a work permit in the United States is invaluable to many individuals that have been staying in the country for a long time without legal documents” (Nakamura and Constable). Ideally, the individuals that need to documentation have to apply for an Employment Authorization Document (EAD) although the residency and employment objectives are determining factors in the process. After the identification of immigration status, “the participants have to outline the employment objectives as they have to fill form 1175” (Nakamura). Nonetheless, there should be consistency in the answers that are provided especially in form I-485. Additionally, the applicant has to offer additional documents and application fee to complete the process. Consequently, the individuals may be given the H-1B visas to guarantee working in the country. Notwithstanding, the immigrants are advised to seek the advice of an attorney before the application process so that there is a guarantee of success.
Republicans have cited various reasons to exterminate the process to offer immigrants with work permits in the country as this could have dire consequences. Although the resident is alleged to disregard the constitution of the country, “the process has been instituted to give the immigrants the opportunity to pursue their ambitions” (Ehrenfreund). Apparently, it is indicated that the Republicans want to politicize the “process” yet they masquerade that they want the best options for citizens and immigrants of the country. In particular, there is a need to rethink their alternatives on the issue such that immigrants are given equal opportunities in the country.
In conclusion, immigrants have been subjected to unfair treatment while others are harassed and mistreated due to their origin. For instance, in the early centuries, the immigrants were subjected to prejudice and discrimination from the “whites” yet they need to be given fair treatment. In particular, they lack basic amenities such as food, water, housing and “clothing” and this exacerbates mental illnesses. For example, many of the individuals are distressed as they find difficulty to access some of the health facilities. Notwithstanding, it is evident that immigrants are decent people and they need to be treated fairly and equally. As such, there has been institutionalization of the immigration policy by the Obama administration. The law indicates that individuals that have stayed in the country for over five years have to apply for necessary documentation so that they can live in the country without prejudice.
Works Cited
Ehrenfreund, Max. “Your Complete Guide to Obama’s Immigration Executive Action.” The Washington Post. 20 Nov. 2014. Web. 12 Nov. 2015. <https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/wonk/wp/2014/11/19/your-complete-guide-to-obamas-immigration-order/>
Garrison, Jessica, and Ken Bensinger. “The New American Slavery: Invited To The U.S, Foreign Workers Find A Nightmare.” BuzzFeedNEWS. Ed. Jeremy Singer-Vine. 25 July 2015. Web. 15 Nov. 2015.
Nakamura, David. “Appeals Court Rules against Obama’s Immigration Plan.” The Washington Post. 9 Nov. 2015. Web. 19 Nov. 2015. <https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/appeals-court-rules-against-obamas-immigration-plan/2015/11/09/c73f38b0-874c-11e5-be39-0034bb576eee_story.html
Nakamura, David, and Pamela Constable. “Obama Administration to Seek Supreme Court Involvement in Immigration Case.” The Washington Post. 10 Nov. 2015. Web. 19 Nov. 2015.
Nazario, Sonia. Enrique’s Journey. New York: Random House, 2007. Print.
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