For years, the words “aliens” and “illegal” were used to describe documented and undocumented immigrants. However, these words’ negative connotations have affected how people view those holding these names. These offensive and dehumanizing terms cause immigrants to believe that they are undesirable and that they will never truly assimilate into American society. Fortunately, the Library of Congress has recognized this issue and has stopped using these derogatory words to describe undocumented immigrants.
The Library of Congress will now use the terms “unauthorized immigrant” and “non-citizen” to describe the immigrants. This is an important step into changing the American public’s view on immigrants and immigration in the U.S. Dennise Hernandez, co-director of CoFIRED, wants politicians and media outlets to “follow the precedent set by the Library of Congress.”
Many Americans who disagree with immigration justify their opposition by claiming that immigrants are lazy and take Americans’ jobs. The Ramussen Report survey found that 51 percent of Americans believe they are competing against immigrants living in the U.S. without work permits. In actuality, according to the Brookings Institution’s Michael Greenstone and Adam Looney, “on average, immigrant workers increase the opportunities and incomes of Americans.” Granting undocumented immigrants legal status will actually create jobs, not destroy them. According to the Fiscal Policy Institute, immigrant-owned businesses employed approximately 4.7 million people in 2007 and annually generated more than $776 billion.
Although the information about how immigrants improve and help the economy is available and accurate, Americans are still fearful of their foreign neighbors. According to International Business Times, men, people over 40 and white voters are more afraid of undocumented workers than women, people under 40 and black voters. Additionally, lower-income Americans and those without college degrees feel especially threatened by immigrants. This statistic shows the importance of education in order for people to be more accepting of others.
We need immigrants in our society. According to the Census Bureau, immigrants only make up 16 percent of the population holding a bachelor’s degree or higher in the United States, but they represent 33 percent of engineers, 27 percent of mathematicians and 24 percent of scientists. The DREAM Act (acronym for Development, Relief and Education for Alien Minors), legislation that grants residency to undocumented immigrants, reduces the deficit and comprehensive immigration reform helps create jobs. Unfortunately, our immigration policies are flawed because many young immigrants enter the country on student VISAs in order to receive a degree, but then are sent back after they are qualified to receive a job in the U.S.
Acts like the DREAM Act are helping to pave the way for an easier citizenship process for immigrants, but the path continues to be a challenging one. According to USA Today, Celina Alvarez, an 18-year resident originally from Mexico, spent $18,000 in attorney and application fees in order to attain a green card, which is still not a full citizenship.
The entire citizenship process includes spending $680 for the naturalization application, which can only be filled after living in the U.S. for five years, or three if they marry a U.S. citizen. Applicants then spend thousands more on paying lawyers and for trips to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services office.
In a speech made by President Barack Obama in 2012, he proudly states, “…immigration makes America stronger. Immigration makes us more prosperous. And immigration positions America to lead in the 21st century.” Our president is correct in that we must progress as a society and stand against immigrant prejudice because of their importance to our nation.
