A major change in U.S. immigration policy occurred with the passage of amendments to the Immigration and Nationality Act in 1965. National-origin quotas were abolished, and annual limits of 170,000 Eastern Hemisphere immigrants and 120,000 Western Hemisphere immigrants were established. For Eastern Hemisphere immigrants, preferences were given to close relatives of American citizens, refugees, and individuals who possessed job skills in short supply in the United States. There was no preference system for Western Hemisphere immigrants, with visas available on a first-come, first-serve basis. The act

Illegal immigration has always been a policy challenge for the United States. Although legislators want to discourage illegal immigration, some economists say that such immigrants help the economy. Illegal immigrants commonly take jobs that Americans cannot do or do not want to do. Employers hire them despite a federal ban on doing so. The problem is so pervasive that, recently, policymakers were debating offering legal status to thousands of Mexican illegal immigrants who are working in the United States.

Following September 11, many Americans feared other terrorist could be in the United States planning another attack. The Justice Department immediately began detaining illegal immigrants, interviewing legal immigrants with ties to countries thought to be harboring Al Qaeda terrorists, and hunting down absconders—those who have defied deportation orders. The Justice Department defended such targeting as a logical way to contain terrorism; others criticized the action as illegal racial profiling.

Throughout its history, the United States has offered immigrants the opportunity to build a better life, and it continues to admit large number of newcomers every year. Although some Americans attribute the United States economic success to these high immigration rates, other find the large numbers of immigrants troubling. The government should restrict the number of immigrants entering the country—especially now that the United States is fighting a war against terrorism. I believe the defense of the homeland must start at the borders. Until the INS can better enforce immigration law and protect borders, immigration must be slowed or even suspended. These newcomers to the United States take jobs away from U.S. citizens because they enlarge the labor pool and are willing to work for lower wages. Excessive immigration dilutes American culture and language. Also, rapid population growth

Some topics in this essay:
United States’, Americans Employers, East Federal, Justice Department, Middle Easterners, Control Act, United Fleeing, Patriot Act, Western Hemisphere, Eastern Hemisphere, illegal immigrants, september 11, immigration policy, hemisphere immigrants, immigration levels, racial profiling, enforcing ban, eastern hemisphere immigrants, enter country, spouses children, illegal racial, western hemisphere immigrants, illegal racial profiling,