Immigration policies much too stringent, need serious reform

On Dec. 10, 25 illegal immigrants from Mexico were arrested and later detained along the coast of Abalone Cove. This new incident has increased local citizens’ awareness about the United States’ continued illegal immigration problem. The recent landings force the realization that it is time that immigrants seeking asylum on our shores be allowed an easier time. These local arrests emphasize the injustice of immigration practices.

Although immigration laws are necessary and provide stability to the nation’s security, the current laws are much too stringent. The laws criminalize illegal immigrants instead of acknowledging the hardships and trials they go through to come here. Current legislation characterizes illegal aliens as pests, rather than as individuals who seek refuge and safety from harsh conditions.

Like many others who remain unauthorized, these Palos Verdes bound immigrants will face deportation back to Mexico­. They receive hostility because of their efforts to bypass U.S. law, but the entirety of their efforts are ignored. Many base their objections on the fact that illegal immigrants are “freeloaders” who use up the benefits that the country has to offer without giving anything in return. Contrary to popular sentiment, however, illegal immigrants contribute significantly to the United States.

For example, in 2011, the state of Georgia implemented an immigration law to reduce the illegal population. With this drastic action came a slew of repercussions. Farmers lost 11,000 workers and were forced to raise wages; consequently, they lost an average of $140 million in one year. Georgia’s devastation exposes the growing economic roles that illegal immigrants play.

Federal officials like Virginia Kice, a spokeswoman for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement still believe in adhering to our nation’s current unforgiving laws.

“Obviously, if someone has the means to get back into the country lawfully, they aren’t going to be in the need of undercover darkness in the United States,” Kice said.

According to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, illegal immigrants constitute 3.5 percent of the population. Although this may seem like a trivial number, these illegal immigrants provide economic welfare to many states, such as our own California.

Currently, the government believes that the focus should be on deporting criminals and other unnecessary influence away from America. However, efforts and concentrations should shift away from decriminalizing these people to understanding their plight. These overly harsh regulations should undergo reform for humanitarian and economic reasons.