Friday, April 23, 2010

Blog Reflection

After my experience with blogging throughout the semester, I have realized just now that it doesn't take that much time to actually blog. I have been lazy, but I haven't really labeled blogging as busy work. I think that different people have different outlets for communication and a lot of people in our class seemed to have gotten a lot out of blogging. If i used it correctly, it could have been used as a tool for peer review. I learned that there are different ways of getting feedback from other people on your work, and blogging is one of them. I don't think that I will blog after this experience because I had difficulties trying to manage my own blog and unfortunately sites like these are not ones that I enjoy doing on my free time. The cool thing about them, though, was that everyone was able to express themselves through their blogs with their stories and templates and all the different things that they could put on them. I wish that I had more of an interest to blog so that I could get as much out of it as everyone else did. I think that the concept of the blogs used in this class could be improved by providing blogs as an option for extra credit for future students, this way they will not have pressure to do the blogs if it is not something they are interested in. 

Final Draft of Proposal Argument

The Dream Act: Giving Immigrant Children Equal Opportunities

 

            Over 12 million Americans currently live in the United States without work authorization, citizenship, or any other lawful status. This causes a number of serious problems throughout the country. The undocumented workers and their children cast a heavy burden on our already resource poor governmental institutions. Many drive without licenses, thereby putting regular American citizens at risk, and the children of those workers are not able to further their education after high school. With so many youths having to forego college, this allows for a great waste of talent. There are many other detriments to immigrant children who are not given the right to residency, along with the ones previously stated. Legislations have been considered so that these problems may be resolved, and so the children of immigrants may have equal opportunities in comparison to American citizens who were born in the United States.

            Immigration has become one of the most controversial issues in our country. Minimal reference to it evokes emotional arguments on both sides of the isle. One bill, which has been very popular among the great majority of voters, as it affects immigration, is the Dream Act. What is this act exactly?  The Dream Act is short for The Development, Relief, and Education for Alien Minors Act. This act, if passed, would “provide a path to permanent residence for certain young immigrants- both those here illegally and those whose parents are here on temporary visas and who will no longer be eligible when they become adults. The act sets out stringent conditions for eligibility.” (Bush and McLarty III 96) The Dream Act would be beneficial to an innocent group of undocumented children that were brought to the United States by their parents.

            After much research and critical thinking, I would like to propose the benefits of the Dream Act to broaden the minds of those who oppose it. I would also like to educate the people who do not have knowledge about the act. The Dream Act would not only be valuable to those directly influenced by it: specifically immigrant children and their families, but also the country as a whole.  

            The root of opposing views toward the Dream Act stem from negative views of immigration to the United States.  Although it is perceived that a majority of the population is for immigration, my research on this controversy has proven otherwise. Many articles and books have been written in hopes to limit immigration, such as The Battle for America’s Border and Security and State of Emergency: The Third World Invasion and Conquest of America. According to a recent Gallup Poll, 42 percent of Americans believe immigrants help make the country a better place to live, while 30 percent believe the contrary.  The remaining percentages have mixed views. A USA TODAY/Gallup Poll taken on April 12, 2007 found that 78 percent of respondents feel people now in the country illegally should be given a chance at citizenship, yet are uncertain how to go about it. I believe that the Dream Act would serve as a step in the right direction in giving these individuals citizenship.

            How can this problem be fixed? How can the minds of so many Americans be opened so that immigration and The Dream Act can be taken into consideration? I believe that if they are given the facts, as opposed to basing their views on judgmental opinions, that America will become more informed about the truths of immigration and will consequently make knowledgeable decisions.

            Regardless of the individual views for or against The Dream Act, it is a fact that  we are, by definition, a nation of immigrants. Some may claim linage to families who arrived on the Mayflower, while others may have just crossed the border only hours ago, yet the dream for a prosperous America binds us all. Uninformed opinions are urging a change in immigration policy that is ill advised in facts. If these views were to be acted upon, it would be the ultimate death of our country. Many Americans are genuinely concerned with problems arising from illegal immigrants, but most who advocate a strict reversal would turn this country into a divided nation. This would distract from the true issues causing America’s decline and warrant the blame on a portion of the populace, who if allowed can only make America better.

            The approval of The Dream Act would lead to an increase in immigration and simultaneously, an increase in American citizens, which would in turn improve society and the economy for the following reasons. While some of the world’s most developed countries are facing severe population shortages and possible financial ruin due to their aging populations, the U.S. continues to be in a strong position because of immigration. For example, between 2000 and 2003, the working age of adults in Japan will decrease by 15.8%, in Germany the decrease will be 15.1%, Italy 19%, whereas in the United States there will actually be an increase of 18.9%, due largely to immigration. As stated by Gary L. Geipel, “immigration policy should be tailored to the aim of remaining competitive in the battle for talent.” Furthermore, a 2005 study by the National Foundation for American Policy found that “a moratorium on legal immigrants entering the country could devastate the Social Security system.” Former Federal Reserve Chairman Alan Greenspan has agreed with this assessment, as has the current chairman, Mr. Ben Bernanke. During a recent speech before the Economic Club of Washington, Mr. Bernanke said, “To overcome the effects of an aging population, immigration will have to rise to 3.5 million people annually.” If this will not be the case, the economic consequences for the American economy will be devastating.

            In today’s society, around 65,000 students graduate from American high schools each year who have actually resided in the United States for over five years but have faced limitations in school and in work because they were brought into the country by their parents who were illegal. Among these students and potential workers are individuals who are just as successful as any other American citizen; including and not limited to, honors students, valedictorians, star athletes, homecoming kings and queens, and other student leaders. The Dream Act would give these children the right to succeed and prosper just as any other legal student would have to ability to do. In my opinion, minors should have this opportunity because they came to the United States in the footsteps of their parents and were not given the decision to leave their previous country. Another benefit of this act would influence both the economy and education interchangeably. As a result of this act being passed, the percentage of high school dropout immigrant students would decrease dramatically. According to an article by The National Immigration Law Center, “The children of undocumented immigrants are far more likely to drop out of high school than are students who were born in the U.S.  Immigration status and the associated barriers to higher education contribute to this high dropout rate, which costs taxpayers and the economy billions of dollars each year.” (“The National Immigration Law Center” 1) With the decrease in high school immigrant dropout rate, the rate of graduation of these prospective students would increase. An increase in high school graduation would ultimately lead to an increase in employment and tax revenues. “For example, based on estimates in a 1999 RAND study, an

average 30-year-old Mexican immigrant woman who has graduated from college will pay $5,300 more in taxes and cost $3,900 less in criminal justice and welfare expenses each year than if she had dropped out of high school.  This amounts to a total annual increased fiscal contribution of more than $9,000 per person.” (“The National Immigration Law Center” 2) Ultimately, The Dream Act would recompense the immigrant children with the priceless virtue of character. It would give them opportunities to make a living on their own, and reap the benefits of their efforts in a country that they did not decide on living in.

            Without immigration, the country that we are currently living in would be drastically different and damaging to society. If twelve million allegedly illegal or undocumented immigrants were deported within a short time period, as some experts have suggested, the country would suffer immeasurably. Conservative estimates predict the cost of massive deportation at $200 billion. Imagine the turmoil that would be caused at countless construction sites, restaurants, farms, and homes across America. Our true problems as a nation do not stem from immigration, but rather issues of a deeper meaning. Yet, immigrants are the safest group to blame, and the new national scapegoat of our times. It has become politically acceptable to openly discriminate against immigrants. Terms such as “the greatest invasion in history” and “Hispanic threat” used to describe current immigrant policies are a consequences of undoubtedly close-minded individuals. Few question the fact that the current immigrant policy endangers our national security. Anyone who is interested in America’s national security will agree that our borders must be strengthened. Recent efforts to tighten the border have proven increasingly successful. The borders need further tightening, but it is imperative that we do something about the approximately 12 million undocumented immigrants currently living in America.

            With the legislation of The Dream Act, many immigrant children will be given equal rights to the American Dream and the ability to prosper and whatever they aspire to do. Second generation immigrants, whether from Bombay, Bogota, or Brussels, assimilate and strongly desire to Americanize as quickly as possible. In fact, more than ninety-five percent of immigrant children learn English within two years. (Kurzban 231) The startling success stories and anecdotes of immigrants and children of immigrants portray the involvement of immigrants in an entirely new light. From the community level to the national arena, immigrant contributions to society have been tremendous. For example, David Ho, a Chinese immigrant embraced American culture and helped to discover an effective medical treatment for the HIV virus. He was eventually named TIME Magazine Man of the Year in 1996. From Albert Einstein to Juanita Hernandez, who helped open a battered women shelter in Chicago, immigrants have helped America and contributed greatly to its success. (Pupin 355)

            It is without a doubt that immigration and The Dream Act would be beneficial to American society, as proven through the evidence, research, and polls previously stated. Hopefully, those uneducated on these topics will take into consideration the impact that immigrants have made on the economy, education, and employment. Foreign-born children should be given the chance to live out the American Dream and to make the most of their experiences in this country, just as any other American-born citizen would do.

 

 

 

Proposal Argument

Since I was never really on time with the blogs I thought there wouldn't be any purpose to add all my drafts of my proposal argument to my blog now considering I already turned it in, but I'll post my finished paper on here for anyone to read.

New Topic, New Advocacy Ad

Since I changed my topic, I had to change some things for my ad. I did my paper on The Dream Act and I decided to keep the same concept of the flyer with pictures and a slogan. It was saved as a word document so I can't attach it onto here but I am open to any suggestions for the advocacy ad if I have time to change it!
It's 4:40 in the morning and I can't go to sleep so I guess I'm going to blog since I haven't been on here in forever. Sorry to everyone who actually checks this because there's going to be like 50 new posts from me again :/ I should probably figure out how to change my background...

Sunday, April 11, 2010

Advocacy Ad

I plan on making my advocacy ad a flyer promoting immigration. I think it will be effective if I use pictures and a captivating slogan like "Immigration: United We Stand"

Sunday, March 21, 2010

Blog 6

My community is an issue within itself, so I want on to go into more detail on the issue for paper 4. I know about the effects of poverty on millions of people in developing countries and I plan on looking for ways to fix it. 

Friday, April 23, 2010

Blog Reflection

After my experience with blogging throughout the semester, I have realized just now that it doesn't take that much time to actually blog. I have been lazy, but I haven't really labeled blogging as busy work. I think that different people have different outlets for communication and a lot of people in our class seemed to have gotten a lot out of blogging. If i used it correctly, it could have been used as a tool for peer review. I learned that there are different ways of getting feedback from other people on your work, and blogging is one of them. I don't think that I will blog after this experience because I had difficulties trying to manage my own blog and unfortunately sites like these are not ones that I enjoy doing on my free time. The cool thing about them, though, was that everyone was able to express themselves through their blogs with their stories and templates and all the different things that they could put on them. I wish that I had more of an interest to blog so that I could get as much out of it as everyone else did. I think that the concept of the blogs used in this class could be improved by providing blogs as an option for extra credit for future students, this way they will not have pressure to do the blogs if it is not something they are interested in. 

Final Draft of Proposal Argument

The Dream Act: Giving Immigrant Children Equal Opportunities

 

            Over 12 million Americans currently live in the United States without work authorization, citizenship, or any other lawful status. This causes a number of serious problems throughout the country. The undocumented workers and their children cast a heavy burden on our already resource poor governmental institutions. Many drive without licenses, thereby putting regular American citizens at risk, and the children of those workers are not able to further their education after high school. With so many youths having to forego college, this allows for a great waste of talent. There are many other detriments to immigrant children who are not given the right to residency, along with the ones previously stated. Legislations have been considered so that these problems may be resolved, and so the children of immigrants may have equal opportunities in comparison to American citizens who were born in the United States.

            Immigration has become one of the most controversial issues in our country. Minimal reference to it evokes emotional arguments on both sides of the isle. One bill, which has been very popular among the great majority of voters, as it affects immigration, is the Dream Act. What is this act exactly?  The Dream Act is short for The Development, Relief, and Education for Alien Minors Act. This act, if passed, would “provide a path to permanent residence for certain young immigrants- both those here illegally and those whose parents are here on temporary visas and who will no longer be eligible when they become adults. The act sets out stringent conditions for eligibility.” (Bush and McLarty III 96) The Dream Act would be beneficial to an innocent group of undocumented children that were brought to the United States by their parents.

            After much research and critical thinking, I would like to propose the benefits of the Dream Act to broaden the minds of those who oppose it. I would also like to educate the people who do not have knowledge about the act. The Dream Act would not only be valuable to those directly influenced by it: specifically immigrant children and their families, but also the country as a whole.  

            The root of opposing views toward the Dream Act stem from negative views of immigration to the United States.  Although it is perceived that a majority of the population is for immigration, my research on this controversy has proven otherwise. Many articles and books have been written in hopes to limit immigration, such as The Battle for America’s Border and Security and State of Emergency: The Third World Invasion and Conquest of America. According to a recent Gallup Poll, 42 percent of Americans believe immigrants help make the country a better place to live, while 30 percent believe the contrary.  The remaining percentages have mixed views. A USA TODAY/Gallup Poll taken on April 12, 2007 found that 78 percent of respondents feel people now in the country illegally should be given a chance at citizenship, yet are uncertain how to go about it. I believe that the Dream Act would serve as a step in the right direction in giving these individuals citizenship.

            How can this problem be fixed? How can the minds of so many Americans be opened so that immigration and The Dream Act can be taken into consideration? I believe that if they are given the facts, as opposed to basing their views on judgmental opinions, that America will become more informed about the truths of immigration and will consequently make knowledgeable decisions.

            Regardless of the individual views for or against The Dream Act, it is a fact that  we are, by definition, a nation of immigrants. Some may claim linage to families who arrived on the Mayflower, while others may have just crossed the border only hours ago, yet the dream for a prosperous America binds us all. Uninformed opinions are urging a change in immigration policy that is ill advised in facts. If these views were to be acted upon, it would be the ultimate death of our country. Many Americans are genuinely concerned with problems arising from illegal immigrants, but most who advocate a strict reversal would turn this country into a divided nation. This would distract from the true issues causing America’s decline and warrant the blame on a portion of the populace, who if allowed can only make America better.

            The approval of The Dream Act would lead to an increase in immigration and simultaneously, an increase in American citizens, which would in turn improve society and the economy for the following reasons. While some of the world’s most developed countries are facing severe population shortages and possible financial ruin due to their aging populations, the U.S. continues to be in a strong position because of immigration. For example, between 2000 and 2003, the working age of adults in Japan will decrease by 15.8%, in Germany the decrease will be 15.1%, Italy 19%, whereas in the United States there will actually be an increase of 18.9%, due largely to immigration. As stated by Gary L. Geipel, “immigration policy should be tailored to the aim of remaining competitive in the battle for talent.” Furthermore, a 2005 study by the National Foundation for American Policy found that “a moratorium on legal immigrants entering the country could devastate the Social Security system.” Former Federal Reserve Chairman Alan Greenspan has agreed with this assessment, as has the current chairman, Mr. Ben Bernanke. During a recent speech before the Economic Club of Washington, Mr. Bernanke said, “To overcome the effects of an aging population, immigration will have to rise to 3.5 million people annually.” If this will not be the case, the economic consequences for the American economy will be devastating.

            In today’s society, around 65,000 students graduate from American high schools each year who have actually resided in the United States for over five years but have faced limitations in school and in work because they were brought into the country by their parents who were illegal. Among these students and potential workers are individuals who are just as successful as any other American citizen; including and not limited to, honors students, valedictorians, star athletes, homecoming kings and queens, and other student leaders. The Dream Act would give these children the right to succeed and prosper just as any other legal student would have to ability to do. In my opinion, minors should have this opportunity because they came to the United States in the footsteps of their parents and were not given the decision to leave their previous country. Another benefit of this act would influence both the economy and education interchangeably. As a result of this act being passed, the percentage of high school dropout immigrant students would decrease dramatically. According to an article by The National Immigration Law Center, “The children of undocumented immigrants are far more likely to drop out of high school than are students who were born in the U.S.  Immigration status and the associated barriers to higher education contribute to this high dropout rate, which costs taxpayers and the economy billions of dollars each year.” (“The National Immigration Law Center” 1) With the decrease in high school immigrant dropout rate, the rate of graduation of these prospective students would increase. An increase in high school graduation would ultimately lead to an increase in employment and tax revenues. “For example, based on estimates in a 1999 RAND study, an

average 30-year-old Mexican immigrant woman who has graduated from college will pay $5,300 more in taxes and cost $3,900 less in criminal justice and welfare expenses each year than if she had dropped out of high school.  This amounts to a total annual increased fiscal contribution of more than $9,000 per person.” (“The National Immigration Law Center” 2) Ultimately, The Dream Act would recompense the immigrant children with the priceless virtue of character. It would give them opportunities to make a living on their own, and reap the benefits of their efforts in a country that they did not decide on living in.

            Without immigration, the country that we are currently living in would be drastically different and damaging to society. If twelve million allegedly illegal or undocumented immigrants were deported within a short time period, as some experts have suggested, the country would suffer immeasurably. Conservative estimates predict the cost of massive deportation at $200 billion. Imagine the turmoil that would be caused at countless construction sites, restaurants, farms, and homes across America. Our true problems as a nation do not stem from immigration, but rather issues of a deeper meaning. Yet, immigrants are the safest group to blame, and the new national scapegoat of our times. It has become politically acceptable to openly discriminate against immigrants. Terms such as “the greatest invasion in history” and “Hispanic threat” used to describe current immigrant policies are a consequences of undoubtedly close-minded individuals. Few question the fact that the current immigrant policy endangers our national security. Anyone who is interested in America’s national security will agree that our borders must be strengthened. Recent efforts to tighten the border have proven increasingly successful. The borders need further tightening, but it is imperative that we do something about the approximately 12 million undocumented immigrants currently living in America.

            With the legislation of The Dream Act, many immigrant children will be given equal rights to the American Dream and the ability to prosper and whatever they aspire to do. Second generation immigrants, whether from Bombay, Bogota, or Brussels, assimilate and strongly desire to Americanize as quickly as possible. In fact, more than ninety-five percent of immigrant children learn English within two years. (Kurzban 231) The startling success stories and anecdotes of immigrants and children of immigrants portray the involvement of immigrants in an entirely new light. From the community level to the national arena, immigrant contributions to society have been tremendous. For example, David Ho, a Chinese immigrant embraced American culture and helped to discover an effective medical treatment for the HIV virus. He was eventually named TIME Magazine Man of the Year in 1996. From Albert Einstein to Juanita Hernandez, who helped open a battered women shelter in Chicago, immigrants have helped America and contributed greatly to its success. (Pupin 355)

            It is without a doubt that immigration and The Dream Act would be beneficial to American society, as proven through the evidence, research, and polls previously stated. Hopefully, those uneducated on these topics will take into consideration the impact that immigrants have made on the economy, education, and employment. Foreign-born children should be given the chance to live out the American Dream and to make the most of their experiences in this country, just as any other American-born citizen would do.

 

 

 

Proposal Argument

Since I was never really on time with the blogs I thought there wouldn't be any purpose to add all my drafts of my proposal argument to my blog now considering I already turned it in, but I'll post my finished paper on here for anyone to read.

New Topic, New Advocacy Ad

Since I changed my topic, I had to change some things for my ad. I did my paper on The Dream Act and I decided to keep the same concept of the flyer with pictures and a slogan. It was saved as a word document so I can't attach it onto here but I am open to any suggestions for the advocacy ad if I have time to change it!
It's 4:40 in the morning and I can't go to sleep so I guess I'm going to blog since I haven't been on here in forever. Sorry to everyone who actually checks this because there's going to be like 50 new posts from me again :/ I should probably figure out how to change my background...

Sunday, April 11, 2010

Advocacy Ad

I plan on making my advocacy ad a flyer promoting immigration. I think it will be effective if I use pictures and a captivating slogan like "Immigration: United We Stand"

Sunday, March 21, 2010

Blog 6

My community is an issue within itself, so I want on to go into more detail on the issue for paper 4. I know about the effects of poverty on millions of people in developing countries and I plan on looking for ways to fix it. 

Followers