Knowledge

Everest University

Immigration

Lisa Collins

Immigration

Up to the point where 9/11 occurred, laws concerning immigration were by far perfect.

In the 1990's and before 9/11, the CIA abandoned steps in counter terrorist border encroachment. This meant that screening passengers and checking passports would be more lax than ever before. If this did not happen, then terrorist's plans from 9/11 may have been disrupted and the three attacks in 2001 would never have occurred.

However, it's not always about border control and terrorist activity. When the public and private sectors are affected financially and immigration becomes a burden to society it's time to act and make changes. Courts are burdened, prisons are overcrowded and resources to state and border officials are not plentiful. An immigration overhaul is a financial fear but security and morals are much more pressing as far as I'm concerned.

Today (May 11, 2011) I read an article by Fox News stating that Representative Lamar Smith from Texas commented on President Obama's trip to the U.S/Mexico border "It is ironic that President Obama would travel so close to the border and still be so far from reality; it is clear President Obama is in full campaign mode, but his words do not match his record. He continues to ignore the facts" (Fox News, 2011.)

To identify the risks and the benefits of current immigration policies, we must act objectively and not just politically (Byram, Daniel, 2005.) Immigration reform must be dealt with so as to keep the integrity of the nation intact and at the same time protect us from future acts of terrorism.

A current issue in immigration law is racial profiling. Stopping a vehicle with a driver that looks Hispanic is an example. The answer is not in profiling a certain type based on outside appearances and culture. If this were working then why not use it for all races, not just one type? Not just that but racial profiling people of Middle Eastern descent may interrupt terrorist activity, but like any other race, not everyone is related to such activity and racial profiling can lead to discrimination and to criminal activity. Another change is the fact that states want more control in how they deal with immigration problems. Utah is trying to pass a bill allowing