Responses to Con Arguments

Question 1

There are more efficient and effective methods of immigration reform that can be
implemented.

Answer 1

163
1.) The two systems are not mutually exclusive; amnesty could and should be enforced
with above reforms tacked on as well.
2.) Reforms will not cut it; the whole system needs to be completely redone

Question 2

E-Verify system used with pathways to citizenship is disadvantageous to the economy.

Answer 2

170

1. ) E-Verify is a necessary evil that serves the greater good.
2. ) E-Verify has improved over the last few years.

Question 3

Immigration reform policies are frequently divisive and threaten to polarize the two
political parties further which will harm future political compromise.

Answer 3

177

1.) Republicans actually favor an immigration reform bill and path to citizenship.

Question 4

Immigration reforms (E-verify/Employer ID) aimed at naturalizing immigrants will
infringe upon their right to privacy. Invasions of privacy creates a slippery slope.

Answer 4

183

1. ) Programs would benefit our national security
2. ) Databases already exist in the status quo.
3. ) On net, creating some type of U.S. database for citizens is beneficial to the U.S.

Question 5

We cannot justify spending more money now. Pathway to citizenship is costly because it encourages more illegal immigration. Pathway to citizenship will increase the debt

Answer 5

190
1.) A pathway to citizenship will actually improve the economy.
2.) The Heritage study fails to account for the economic benefits that come from a
pathway to citizenship, and is therefore flawed.

Question 6

Undocumented workers have acted immoral, we should not reward immoral actions.

Answer 6

196

1. ) Citizenship prevents these people from being relegated to second-class status.
2. ) Citizenship is moral because it strengthens family ties.
3. ) It is moral to break unjust laws without using force.

Question 7

As immigrants move into an area, the price of housing increases.

Answer 7

201

1. ) Immigrants actually don’t impact the housing market in any substantial manner.
2. ) Cheap labor allows for cheaper housing to be built.
3. ) Construction companies actually support immigration reform

Question 8

Giving immigrants amnesty endangers national security by overburdening our
system and incentivizing fraud. Attempts by illegal immigrants to cross the border undermine U.S. military training.

Answer 8

209

1. ) Giving immigrants amnesty enables the government to put immigrants on file.
2. ) Legalizing citizens increases the amount of people who can serve on the military.

Question 9

Once citizens, undocumented workers will harm native workers and consumers by
driving down wages, increasing the labor supply and driving up prices.

Answer 9

214

1.) Overall wages for workers actually increase as a result of a path to citizenship.

Question 10

Increased immigration decreases the ability of small businesses to be economically
successful and self-sufficient.

Answer 10

218

1.) Small businesses would in fact benefit from granting citizenship.

Question 11

Immigrants represent a huge burden on US government services, including welfare
and healthcare.

Answer 11

223
1.) The cost of illegal immigrants to welfare is almost always superseded by the amount of
taxes they pay and contribute.

Question 12

Other aspects of immigration reform are more of a priority. Immigration reform would actually pass without a pathway to citizenship.

Answer 12

229

1. ) This still creates an underclass, which is wrong.
2. ) Democrats will not support immigration reform without a pathway to citizenship.
3. ) we should be debating about the merits of having a pathway to citizenship

Question 13

Border security is lacking in the status quo. Citizenship should only come after the immigration system has been fixed. The government will most likely create a pathway to citizenship but not really
secure the border.

Answer 13

235
1.) A pathway to citizenship will not encourage more illegal immigration if implemented
now.
2.) Immigration reform will include triggers that prevent the pathway from being
implemented if the border is not secured.
3.) The IRCA (the previous immigration reform bill from the 1980’s) did not fail because
it legalized illegal immigrants.

Question 14

Historical precedent shows that giving illegal immigrants opportunities for
citizenship encourages more illegal immigration. Perceptually, giving illegal immigrants free passes encourages decreased abidance to
the law.

Answer 14

243
1.) Past amnesty programs have failed because they were not comprehensive; this can be
changed when reforming the system again.

Question 15

Pathway to legalization is a more moral policy.

Legalization is a realistic alternative.

Answer 15

250
1.) Legalization alone is not politically feasible.
2.) Citizenship has more economic benefits than legalization alone.
3.) Legalization without citizenship is immoral because it creates a permanent second class
of citizens.