Dear President Clinton,

I honestly do not believe in any way that you are uneducated about the topic of immigration reform and the intricacies and statistical information that relay along with it. Considering this, I do believe that I can provide you an insider voice of the one who is directly experiencing the reform that yourself and Congress pour so much thought and effort into.

This letter is not written in a spirit of hate or disrespect, but rather to merely address the prominent topic of illegal immigrants in our country. From the beginning, America, our prosperous country, was built upon the foundations of people of an array of ethnic backgrounds flooding into our free nation. Immigration has been a crucial aspect of the United States since the original colonists settled here in the early seventeenth century. A backbone of the whole body. A base that has been built upon for generations. People have abandoned everything that they have known in their own home for the offering of freedom and the pursuit of happiness that America has so graciously given. For four hundred years this has occurred and yet, today, in the 21st century, we see a problem. An issue that has begun to plague many citizens of our nation and that has changed the way that many view immigrants in our country.

Illegal Immigration has become an often discussed topic amongst many today. At the conclusion of the summer, I met Jorge Ortiz, a donut baker at the place in which I am employed. He kept to himself and exuded an aura of profound patience. A quality that had served him well in his journey to America. In 2010, Jorge left his Guatemalan village, trekked through Mexico, and with the help of a smuggler, crossed the Texan border. In 2012, he made it to Virginia, where his aunt supplied him with a low-wage job and an opportunity to begin a new life.

So many illegal immigrants find themselves in the exact same position as Mr. Ortiz. As yourself and Congress continue to debate the intricacies of immigration reform, you forget to realize and take account for the many people just like Mr. Ortiz who simply work hard and strive for a better life - something their own country cannot supply for them. The beauty of America is that it is the “Land of Opportunity,” a place free of religious persecution and tight dictating control. Considering all of this, let me ask you, Why is the process of becoming a legal citizen of the United States so strenuous and time-consuming? That is the problem. The only reason people illegally enter our borders rather than legally is for that very reason. People only want a chance. A chance that they will either take themselves or that will be properly and legally given to them.

Immigration has such a positive impact on our economy and social structure. Statistical analysis of state-level data shows that immigrants expand the economy’s productive capacity by stimulating investment and promoting specialization. (“Effects of Immigrants”) Because of this, in regions where the population of illegal immigrants is high, native-born residents bear significant net costs due to the immigrants use of public services. (“Effects of Immigration”) Considering this, by deporting 11 million people that contribute so much to the economy, the United States would suffer in unforeseen ways.

Whichever path you choose, President Clinton, will always be remembered. You decide the future of many hard-working individuals in our country. What will be your legacy?

Sincerely,

A concerned citizen

Bibliography

Davidson, Adam. "Is Illegal Immigration an Economic Burden to America?"ProConorgHeadlines. National Public Radio, 30 Mar. 2006. Web. 30 Sept. 2016.

"The Effects of Immigration on the United States' Economy." RSS. University of Pennsylvania, 27 June 2016. Web. 30 Sept. 2016.

"The Effect of Immigrants on U.S. Employment and Productivity." Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco. Research Library, 30 Aug. 2010. Web. 01 Oct. 2016.

Passy, Jacob. 5 Things to Know About Immigration and the U.S. Economy - NBC News. NBCNews. NBC News, 13 Aug. 2014. Web. 01 Oct. 2016.

Wallace, Andrew, Matthew Kretman, and Scott Strogatz. "The Immigration Debate." : Economic Impact. N.p., n.d. Web. 01 Oct. 2016