1. Keith Schemel
Professor Blanco
First Year Seminar
7 April 2014
Immigration
The immigration issue in the United States is one that is highly debated, despite the fact
that those engaging in the debates are quite ignorant to the problem. The conservative standpoint
on the immigration debate, in black and white terms, is anti-illegal immigration, and to not grant
amnesty to illegal aliens, while the liberal side also anti-illegal immigration, however they
believe amnesty should be granted to illegal aliens, and deserve the same opportunities as
Americans. Of course, there are more profound thoughts and complications within these
fundamental thoughts, however the current route to American citizenship was poorly established
and hard to enforce because of the fact that the only way to become a citizen is to first be an
“illegal.” No one enters the United States from a foreign country as an “American.” There is a
long process that is extremely complicated and, most of the time, unnecessary. If a foreigner
wishes to enter to become a U.S. citizen, he or she should go to the U.S. Embassy and
immediately take the citizenship test, and show proper documentation that they can serve as a
useful member to American life and economy (i.e. being a doctor, businessman, lawyer, and
educator). The U.S. should expedite the immigration process for useful members of society,
while rejecting those who show no benefit of being integrated in American life, and wait list
those who fall in between, however one would not be on the waitlist for more than three months.
An immigrant to the United States should show proficiency in the English language, and take an

2. English test as well as the citizenship test, and must pass both before entering the country.
Border Patrol along the U.S.-Mexican border should be increased, not just to stop the influx of
illegal immigration, but to mainly stop the trade of illicit drugs from entering the U.S. border.
America should be a welcoming spot for immigrants, however there are necessities that must be
met before becoming an American, rather than simply squatting in a country.