Immigration reform should include a path to citizenship for undocumented immigrants in the US

1) My opponent has stated that undocumented immigrants create a burden on welfare programs. However, as a report titled "Partnership for a New American Economy" has pointed out, immigrants started 28 percent of all new businesses in 2011. Additionally, the Fiscal Policy Institute finds that small businesses owned by immigrants employed an estimated 4.7 million people in 2007 and generated more than $776 billion in revenue annually. As we can see, if we were to grant these undocumented immigrants a path to citizenship, we would be greatly benefiting our economy as there is a high chance these immigrants will aspire to create better jobs than their average minimum-wage ones. (Just a side note: my opponent's source for the welfare argument is, as he/she stated, CIS, or the Center for Immigration Studies. However, I am curious as to whether or not he/she is aware that CIS is a known hate group which targets undocumented immigrants.) 2) When my opponent attacked my point about immigrants bolstering America's GDP, he/she claimed my argument was invalid. However, he/she has given no evidence whatsoever that supports his/her claim whereas I, in fact, have. Therefore, my argument does still stand true. 3) My opponent also refuted my cultural diversity argument by claiming it to be false since I do not have "stats." However, it is common sense that when people from foreign countries come to our nation, they bring with them the traditions of their culture. That is why when people go out to shop, eat, etc., there is a wide variety of choices for them to choose from. We eat pizza inspired from Italy, rice inspired from Asia, the list goes on. Therefore, my opponent cannot correctly claim that immigrants do not enhance our cultural diversity. 4) In my opponent's first point, he/she stated that a path to citizenship for undocumented immigrants would be unfair to the immigrants currently waiting in line. However, I am curious as to what other plan he/she would propose to solve the issue of 11 MILLION undocumented immigrants currently residing in the United States. There is no other practical way to combat this issue other than granting citizenship. 5) In my opponent's second point, he/she claimed this path would promote illegal immigration. However, as reported by the Christian Science Monitor in January of 2013, Mexico, the main source of immigrants who enter the U.S. illegally, is experiencing a rapid birth rate decline and rising domestic industry wages, "making the U.S. less attractive." Additionally, the Center for Comparative Immigration Studies found, through thousands of interviews with prospective migrants in foreign countries, that none of the respondents who expressed an intent to immigrate stated amnesty as one of their primary reasons for coming to the U.S. Therefore, if we grant a pathway to citizenship for the millions of undocumented immigrants currently living in the U.S., it will NOT promote illegal immigration. 6) Additionally, there are countless reports of undocumented immigrants who are harassed due to their illegal status, which is also what causes them to stay silent and not speak out. A California State University survey found that 90 percent of migrant workers, for example, cite sexual harassment as a problem--local experts say violent sexual harassment among undocumented immigrants is a growing concern. "It's all too common," says attorney Stephen Born of the law firm Mills & Born, "It's hard to know what's unreported. Immigrants who are illegal avoid any contact with the authorities. It's one of those very-difficult-to-quantify issues." Due to the looming fear of deportation, many undocumented immigrants refuse to speak out, even when they are confronted with dangerous situations concerning assault. By granting these immigrants citizenship, we, as a nation, would be giving them a chance to speak out against the iniquities without having to worry about deportation.