In the most primitive roots of American history, immigration has, at its heart, nurtured the most powerful and significantly diverse population in the world. It is true that we recognize the significance of creating a welcoming culture to lawful immigration as it serves as a vitality of the very economic prosperity and cultural diversity that contributes so integrally to our individual freedom, limited government and free enterprise system.
The late President Ronald Reagan celebrated the very core of immigration in America in a 1986 speech.
“Since 1820, more than 52 million immigrants have come to the United States from all over the world,” he said. “They have sought and found a new and better life for themselves and their children in this land of liberty and opportunity.”
Upon approaching the delicate issue of immigration reform in the U.S. today, it is vitally important to understand that the issue at hand does not reflect that of compromising the country’s long-standing tradition of embracing diverse populations that advance the prosperity and entrepreneurial spirit of this nation. Rather, the issue that has caused such heated debate is rooted in the rapidly increasing number of people living in the country illegally. Nearly 12 million immigrants live illegally in the U.S., evading taxes while collecting benefits, compromising the economic stability of the nation.
Congressional Democrats have attempted to push forward immigration legislation that will grant amnesty to the immigrants by way of a “path to citizenship” bill. At the conclusion of the amnesty process outlined in this bill, immigrants who entered illegally would become fully eligible for means-tested welfare and health care benefits not currently available to them under the Affordable Care Act.
According to data collected by the Heritage Foundation pulled from the U.S. Census Bureau and 2012 Population Survey, if amnesty is granted through legislation, the average adult immigrant would create a lifetime fiscal deficit of $592,000, left to legal U.S. taxpayers to pay for.
Democrats’ “path to citizenship” plan shifts the burden of amnesty onto law-abiding taxpayers and, in turn, creates devastating fiscal consequences for the economy. We’re looking at a bill that rewards, not punishes, those who have migrated into this country illegally and further challenges the ability of the nation to protect its borders and preserve its sovereignty.
The issue of immigration is complex. It calls for a widely tailored set of approaches rather than a comprehensive, one-size-fits all piece of legislation. Amnesty is not the answer to illegal immigration. As we begin to address the challenges of our immigration system, we must look to craft legislation that protects and encourages respect for the law and reduces the burden incurred by law-abiding citizens.
When Congress can agree on an approach that adopts these principles, America will reap the rewards of a prosperous immigrant population that embraces freedom and achievement through integrity.
