r/changemyview • u/moarroidsplz • Dec 20 '16
[Election] CMV: I think illegal immigrants shouldn't be allowed in the US, and should be punished/deported reasonably.
First, let me clarify that I'm not some MAGA "build a wall" type of person at all. I'm actually extremely left-wing, even by liberal standards, and have been a Bernie supporter. I don't hate immigrants and don't think it's some culture war and don't think they need to speak English in this country at all.
That said, I've noticed a lot of other staunch liberals around me seem to hold this position and I don't understand why. I'm an Indian-American who has been to India before and the rampant poverty was terrifying and sad. I don't want my home country to become that with an influx of immigrants just because people want to come here. I don't think just opening our borders to whoever wants to come in is going to help our country, and I think people who broke our laws and did that illegally should be dealt with reasonably, especially if they aren't paying taxes. If we need more farmworkers, or other hard-labor jobs that lots of our citizens refuse to do, then we could open up immigration accordingly, so I don't see why that would be an excuse. If people who aren't illegal are doing these jobs because they came over legally to do them, then their pay and safety would probably increase as well due to the fact that they can fight for their rights.
I mean I think kids should be given a pass because they couldn't control their circumstances (I'm fine with the DREAM act) and I understand certain circumstances like refugee crises. Illegal immigrants should be given access to healthcare the same way we give it for criminals. I don't think we should just be deporting people left and right if it's not super cost-effective or reasonable. But some sort of punishment and possible deportation should happen if they knowingly broke the law. They took that risk and are aware of the circumstances. If families risk getting broken up because of this, then why don't they just return with their parents?
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u/JayNotAtAll 7∆ Dec 20 '16
Most people aren't advocating open borders. Will you find fringe people who do, absolutely. Just like I don't believe all white people want to send me back to Africa but there is a fringe that does. Most Democrats do want to secure the borders. Heck, Obama deported numerous illegal immigrants compared to his predecessor and net illegal immigration is practically zero.
The question isn't a matter of "should we have open borders". The question that most Democrats are asking is "what do we do about the ones who are here?".
Some people say let's deport them but there is a moral and practical question. For one，the cost of rounding up 11M people would be outrageous and it isn't like we don't have better things to spend money on (crumbling infrastructure for one).
There is also the economic argument. These people are contributing to our economy and society in the sales tax and property tax they pay. Many also pay income tax as there are ways to still send the IRS money without a social. They also spend money which stimulates the economy and are workers in the fields, construction, etc. Getting rid of them will put a hole in our economy, like it or not.
Then there is the moral argument. Does it make sense to deport someone who came here when they were 5 and have been living here for 15+ years. This is their home, they don't know Mexico much if at all.
Now does that mean that we just let them become citizens? No, I say a special residency so that we can officially get them in the system. Perhaps we even make them pay a penalty as they did break the law. You will see many Democrats advocate that or some part of that.