1. The Predicament of Hispanic Immigration Kira Ito Maori Kahawaii Crystal Robinson Jakhar Amos

2. 2 History of Hispanic Immigration 1850-1880: approximately 55,000 workers imported to aid in railroad construction ◦ US leaders ignored illegal immigration, paying them substandard wages, and allowing harsh working conditions ◦ No rights of the Constitution guaranteed First came to prominence during the early 20 th Century ◦ Used for cheap labor during WWI When WWI ended, nativism took hold in US ◦ Restriction quotas on immigration ◦ US Border Patrol established

3. 3 Great Depression era halted immigration for the time period ◦ Used as scapegoats for economic instability ◦ First time immigrants accused of “taking away jobs from Americans” & “living off public relief” Demand for immigrants increased with WWII following Pearl Harbor ◦ US & Mexico agreed to import laborers with the “Bracero” Program  Continued wartime food production  Number of legal braceros was miniscule; companies recruited undocumented workers for field work until Korean War History of Hispanic Immigration

4. 4 1970s: the number of illegal aliens in 1945 tripled ◦ 4 out of 5 of which were from Mexico ◦ Height of illegal immigration deemed out of control 1980s: high unemployment in Mexico led to illegal immigration in search of jobs in the United States ◦ 1986: Immigration Reform and Control Act ◦ amnesty granted to illegal already working in US ◦ budget for Immigration and Naturalization Services increased four times the rate decade before 1990: George H.W. Bush signs Immigration Act of 1990 ◦ increased number of immigrants allowed to US ◦ created visa “lottery” system ◦ immigration levels increased once again Operation Blockade launched by Democratic Congressman

5. 5 Detrimental Effect Anchor babies ◦ Babies born to women who aren’t legal citizens of the U.S. ◦ 300,000 anchor babies born in the U.S. every year ◦ California in 1994, paid for 74, 987 deliveries = $215.2 million ◦ Anchor babies births account for 36% Medi-Cal funded births ◦ The problem with this is ANCHOR BABIES are protected under the 14 th Amendment as well as the FAIR act which acknowledges that any person born in America is no technically a U. S. and has rights and privileges as a U.S. citizen should Education ◦ The total k-12 school expenditure for illegal immigrants costs the states $7.4 billion annually- enough to buy a computer for every junior high student nationwide. ◦ Immigration will account for 96 percent of the increase in the school-age population over the next 50 years. If mass immigration continues, the education of all children in America will continue to be undermined. Education costs will continue to escalate and quality of education will continue to decline.

6. 6 Detrimental Effect Medical Care ◦ Mexican ambulance driver are importing Mexican citizens to U.S. hospital who cant afford medical care in Mexico ◦ The problem with this is MEXICAN CITIZENS are protected under EMERGENCY MEDICAL ACT mandates that U.S. hospitals with emergency- room services must treat anyone who requires care, including illegal aliens. ◦ Medical service for Americans in affected communities is being severely damaged as hospitals absorb more than $200 million in unreimbursed costs. ◦ In California, the losses are calculated to be about $79 million, with $74 million in Texas, $31 million in Arizona, and $6 million in New Mexico. Economic Benefit ◦ $60 billion dollars are earned by illegal aliens in the U.S. each year. One of Mexico's largest revenue streams consists of money sent home by legal immigrants and illegal aliens working in the U.S. ◦ $9 billion dollars were previously sent back annually, according to a September 25, 2002 NPR report. That figure equals what Mexico earns annually from tourism. This is a massive transfer of wealth from America - essentially from America's displaced working poor - to Mexico. tourism \ 6

7. 7 Solution to the Problem Approach Number One: ◦ Reform and invest in the “vulnerable population” target the young and willing members of the illegal masses and provide health care and access to life improving resources like a fair education and proper living conditions. Based on the beliefs of our Founding Father Thomas Jefferson: Above all things I hope the education of the common people will be attended to, convinced that on their good sense we may rely with the most security for the preservation of a due degree of liberty. –Thomas Jefferson Will lead to an increase in the educated workforce and stimulate job growth exponentially in all sectors. Must coincide with stricter immigration policies in order to prevent a colossal migration.

8. 8 Solution to the Problem Approach Number Two: ◦ Target companies that take advantage of the desperate situation of the illegal’s in order to save money by paying them under the table; mandating a proof of citizenship along with other forms of ID can be a task given to government officials that regulate local businesses. Working under the table undermines the tax system and destabilizes the economy by stagnating the flow of currency. Holding such companies responsible will not only discourage illegal’s from crossing the border illegally but improve the health of the economy.

9. 9 Solution to the Problem Approach Number Three: ◦ Initiating a FairTax that would make all members of the workforce an instant taxpayer; This would encourage non-citizens to seek citizenship in order to receive a prebate or tax return. Reformations to the IRS would be made extending their jurisdiction allowing them to investigate areas of the country that are not requiring their workers to file every year. Not only a boost to the economy, it would lead to a decrease of illegal’s and make those who already are a virtuous citizen. This would also lead to a decrease in fraud due to the requirement of social security, citizenship, and birth records.

10. 10 Solution to the Problem Approach Number Four: ◦ Simply enhance the policies of immigration so that it would seem more appealing and applicable to those looking for citizenship. This would create a shift from those who enter the U.S. illegally to legally and document more individuals who cross the border placing them in a more healthier and beneficial living status. ◦ However, a form of probation would be enforced so that immigrants who become citizens are liable to deportation if they are caught breaking the law on more than one occasion. Not only would this lead to more tax-paying individuals but it would decrease crime throughout the border and encourage diversity and tolerance throughout America.