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An Immigrant Nation

Spanish Translation

By Kathyrn Satterfield

Coming to America means different things to different people. Freedom. Opportunity. A better life. Whatever the reason, each year nearly 2 million people move to the United States.

Last Monday, President George W. Bush praised the role that immigrants have played in our country's history. Bush spoke at a ceremony in which people from 20 countries became U.S. citizens. "No one should pretend that immigrants are threats to America's identity, because immigrants have shaped America's identity," he said.

The President congratulated the new citizens at a time when immigration is a matter of great debate. Lawmakers are struggling to find ways to better regulate the flow of people coming into the United States. The Pew Hispanic Center, in Washington, D.C., estimates that the U.S. is home to more than 37 million foreign-born people. Of that number, up to 12 million are living here illegally (see "Counting the Newcomers" below).

Broken Borders?
About 800,000 undocumented, or illegal, immigrants enter the U.S. each year. Some sneak across the border. Others enter the U.S. with permission for a temporary job or visit and then stay longer. Illegal workers make up about 5% of the U.S. labor force.

Last week, the Senate set to work on an immigration policy that would balance national security with a plan to help illegal immigrants who are working in the U.S. Under discussion: a proposal that would increase border security but allow some undocumented workers to register to work in the country legally for up to six years as guest workers. In addition, illegal immigrants currently living in the U.S. would have the opportunity to become citizens.

Critics argue that this plan rewards lawbreakers. "It's a slap in the face to every single person who has [come here] the right way," says Tom Tancredo, a Colorado congressman.

Once the Senate agrees on a proposal, its plan will have to be reconciled with a bill that the House of Representatives passed in December. The House bill does not include a guest-worker program and would make illegal immigrants subject to tough criminal penalties. After the Senate and the House reach an agreement, a bill will be presented to the President for him to sign into law.

As senators addressed the issue, thousands of people throughout the U.S. took to the streets to show their support for immigrants. Students walked out of high schools in California and Texas. In Los Angeles, California, 500,000 people demonstrated. "We do need more control of the border," said Delia Adene, who came to the U.S. legally from Mexico. "But politicians need to talk about this with human justice in mind."

Meeting the Neighbors
On Thursday, Bush met with the leaders of Canada and Mexico. The issue of the northern and southern borders of the U.S. was high on the agenda. About 6 million illegal immigrants from Mexico are in the country.

The President said he would like Congress to come up with a program that the U.S. and its neighbors can agree on: "I am confident we can deliver a bill that protects our people, upholds our laws and makes our people proud."

Counting the Newcomers
Illegal immigration is on the rise, and undocumented newcomers are moving into cities throughout the U.S.

Who Are the Illegal Immigrants?
Men 49%
Women 35%
Children 16%
Source: Pew Hispanic Center

Think!
Name five immigrants whose lives and work have changed America.

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