A stakeholder is a person, or group, that has an interest or concern in a certain topic, issue, or debate. For this specific issue, which boils down to immigration policy reforms, there are, but not limited to, three stakeholders; they are those who are for lower-class citizens, those who are for citizens and immigrants alike, and those who are for immigrants.
Lower-Class United States Citizens
Those who are for lower-class natives, usually push for harsher and more restrictive immigration policies. They put the United States citizen's needs before those of foreigners. A person who feels this way is Anya Deason, a published writer in The Huffington Post. Although intriuged by the culture of many foreign countries and often thinking about emigration, Deason remarks, "I admire people in other countries...I find their cultures interesting...But those countries aren't going to put my economic interests ahead of their own citizens' interests. You have to come to America to see the citizens-put-last movement in its full glory." She goes onto claim that the people most hurt by societies current policies are low-income native citizens.
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Much like Anya Deason, agrees David W. Budd, a graduate of Stanford University and current employee at the American pharmaceutical company, Bristol-Myers Squibb. Budd believes current immigration policies should be reformed in a numerous of ways, but most notably, in a way that would severly restrict the number of immigrants with little to know education and skill. Allowing these immigrants in would only challenge the similarly leveled, lower-class poor. He states, "...immigration policy should first and foremost be for those who are here, and at the end, when all else is considered, then the benefit to the immigrant should be considered."
Citizens and Immigrants Alike
Those who are for the immigrants and natives alike, usually push for policies that will find a way to benefit both the lower-class natives and the immigrants. Much apart of this group is Susann Moy, a published writer in Forbes. She remarks that policies should be more liberal in letting in immigrants, but more conservative in keeping out illegal immigrants and enforcing laws. Generally, she believes "America needs more legal immigration. But illegal immigration perpetuates poverty by undermining wages and benefits for unskilled workers."
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In agreement is Erik Fair, a software engineer and University of California, Berkley, graduate. His belief is that immigration policies will seek to attract individuals and familes who will positively effect the United States society and exclude those who will burden the society. His logic is, the United States should try to have the best deal going for each citizen. In doing so, it will foster a feeling of being well treated and keep the correct immigrants in America, alleviating the stress on the poor.
Immigrants
Those who are for the immigrants, usually push for policies that are less strict, support open borders, and in general, beneficial to the immigrant. Bryce Carmony is the creator of Approval Vote America, a foundation dedicated to empowering voters and he believes the United States should open the borders and let immigrants flow in. He says this because it will allow Americans to see the suffering of the world; to see the poverty, sick, and hunger of the world. By opening the borders, the United States as a society can "brace for impact and work to build a better future with anyone who wants to come."
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Much like Bryce Carmony, Wouter Stekelenberg, a graduate from the University of Warsaw, also pushes for the immigrants. He strongly believes in open borders and asserts that all support for stricter immigration policies are nonsensical. Of his many arguments, his most compelling is that, "Western immigration policies keep millions of people locked in the misery of the third world. That way, they clearly cause great harm...Since legal ways of entering Western countries are blocked off, desperate people resort to illegal ways that cost thousands of lives a year."
Header: Photo courtesy of 123RF