The legislation would tighten border patrols and crack down on the hiring of illegals. One million people have legally entered the country in each of the last ten years. Some are skilled workers hired by businesses, but many more are relatives of prior legal immigrants. Current legislation would cut back both. But opponent of cutbacks cite economic analysis that show a positive influence from immigration.
Immigrants start businesses, create jobs, and pay taxes.
Beyond pure economics, they bring cultural diversity which enriches society. Congress is undoubtedly responding to the anti-immigration sentiment mounting in the country. California passed Proposition 187 in l994. And conservative commentator Pat Buchanan made opposition to immigration a central tenet of his bid for the Republican presidential nomination. Theologian Rosemary Radford Ruether said that the essentially racist position that God gave this country to white people of European descent must give way to a view of immigration inspired by the Gospel.