America has always been known as the melting pot of cultures and nationalities, but that identity is being threatened by anti-immigration ideas on both sides of the political fence. However, it’s important to ask if these ideas are necessarily wrong.
It’s estimated that between 10 and 20 million illegal immigrants currently reside in the U.S., with their population growing by nearly 700,000 a year, according to the Congressional Budget Office. Numbers like this are a staggering statistic and may cause concerns in even the most moderate degree.
Illegal immigrants typically come to the United States for the American dream, believing that life should be better and richer and fuller for everyone. In theory, this can bring nothing but good to the American culture and economy if every illegal immigrant worked to further both themselves and the country that graciously allows their residence. In practice, this holds true; immigrant unemployment rates are far below national averages, and most immigrant families have a positive impact on the economy.
If illegal immigrants typically have a positive impact on the nation’s economy, why is there a problem with their residence here? While the amount of illegal immigrants stands testament to the appeal of America, this shows just how open our borders are. The problem is not with their economical impact, rather their impact on national security and our laws.
By allowing illegal immigrants to stay within our borders, America doesn’t set a precedent in which our laws need to be followed and spits in the face of those who go through the strenuous process of legal immigration. Often, the most discussed immigrants are those who travel across our Southern border there is a much less known minority entering the U.S.
The Syrian refugee crisis has already been widely discussed, and the beliefs and practices of these refugees has been mostly swept under the rug. In 2016, the 10,000 Syrian refugees were placed in the United States. With over 100 refugees in Pittsburgh alone, it’s important to understand the background from which the immigrants came. The Pew Research Institute did a study on the percent of Muslims in 25 countries in support of Sharia as the official governing law of their country. However, Syria was not surveyed due to the state of war the country is in. However, other Muslim-majority countries bordering Syria were surveyed and the percentage of Muslims who believed that Sharia should be the governing law ranged from 29 in Lebanon to 91 in Iraq.
Sharia law literally means “the path to life giving water” and is the interpretation of the words and actions of the Prophet Muhammad. While Sharia law typically grants rights common to western civilization such as a trial by jury, it also encompasses ideas such as capital punishment for criticizing or denying parts of the Quran and denys other basic rights based on gender, sexuality or religious belief.
It”s important to emphasize that not all followers of Islam believe in Sharia law, but those who come from Muslim-majority countries typically do. Countries such as Pakistan, Iran, Afghanistan and other Muslim-majority countries are overwhelmingly in favor of Sharia law, according to the Pew Research Institute. This is why a thorough vetting process is a necessity and temporary travel bans from countries deemed as “countries of concern” by both the Obama and Trump administration may be a solution to future threats.