Conclusions
After an in-depth and thorough analysis of undocumented immigration into the United States, conclusions can be made that the United States is in dire need of comprehensive immigration reform. As stated in the White House Report on immigration, it is evident that both documented and undocumented workers and immigrants contribute to all walks of life, especially in the labor force. (39) Moreover, evidence shows that as the number of immigrants increases, the United States economy continues to thrive as a result. That is why it is important that there are measures in place that provide undocumented immigrants living in the United States with a path to citizenship. At the same time, the United States needs to strengthen its borders in an attempt to uphold the law, as it is written. Finally, employers of undocumented workers need to be dealt with harshly, as they are blatantly violating the law by employing undocumented workers, and often times paying them below minimum wage.
One of the fundamental challenges of comprehensive immigration reform, as the 2008 presidential election quickly approaches, is that leading candidates from both parties have been reluctant to embrace reform during the campaign. On the Republican side, political analysts have said that Senator John McCain’s decline in the polls is a result of his legislative track record towards immigration reform. And when Senator Clinton declared her support to provide driver’s licenses for undocumented immigrants, she received harsh criticism from both Democrats and Republicans, causing her to retreat from this stance. (40) Presently, it does not seem that any of the presidential candidates are up to the challenge of fighting on behalf of the millions of undocumented immigrants who contribute to society.
What America needs is a leader who is willing to say that undocumented immigrants and workers living in the United States do not hurt society, but enhance it. America needs a leader who is willing to provide undocumented immigrants a path to citizenship in this country, while making sure legislation in favor of comprehensive immigration reform will be passed in both the House and the Senate. America needs a leader who will stand up for the rights of undocumented immigrants, while challenging those who question their contributions to the United States. And America needs a leader who will enforce and strengthen the nation's border patrol, but at the same time promote legal immigration into the United States.
It was President John F. Kennedy who said it best: “Everywhere immigrants have enriched and strengthened the fabric of American life.” (41)
