Although the United States was founded on the principles of freedom, liberty, and happiness “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.” (United States Declaration of Independence 1776), ostensibly this principle, according to a privilege sizeable part of the population, doesn’t apply to every human being, especially those in minority groups. Regrettably, the quintessence of the land has been built on the proposition of individualism, power, privilege, and racism among others. Throughout the republic’s history and current social framework, inequality and racism can be found in the government, military, public and private institutions, the judicial system, education, socially, and in the media. Consequently, creating a system of inequality, discrimination, economic imbalance, and prejudice (Kenney 2013). Equivalent to inequality, immigration in the United States is one of the most controversial, divisive, and unreasonable issue of injustices that undermined the core principle of the nation, despite the fact that the country was founded by immigrants that came to a land occupied by Native Americans thus making the founding fathers and people that migrate from England immigrants (Kubrin, Zats, Martinez 2012). Two major social approaches (objectivist approach & the functionalist approach) are the basis of the debate and it’s important to further analyze the structure and importance of both.
Despite evidence of the benefits of immigration in the United States, the controversy surrounding the topic has created a conflict among all citizens regardless of their social class or status. Misinformation and improper data is spread damaging the discussion and negatively impacting viable solutions. In a recent report by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s Labor, Immigration & Employee Benefits Division, the department unquestionably elucidates the facts and annihilates the myths surrounding immigration and its benefits while pointing out the plethora of studies on immigration that is overlooked because of all the false information giving to the public which needs to learn facts in order to find a viable solution for the conflict. (U.S Chamber of commerce 2016). American citizens disdain immigrants in contrast with their claim of inclusion, diversity, justices, and fairness. To help identify each side of the dissension while pinpointing society injustices it is important to analyze both sociological approaches (functionalism & objectivism) to social problems and immigration.
FUNCTIONALIST APPROACH
The perspective of the functionalist approach asserts that all parts of society are interconnected, and each actor plays a pivotal role to maintain the balance and social equilibrium of a productive society. Social problems are conditions that may be cherished by some but considered deviant by others (Fuller & Myers 1941:320) In accordance with functionalism, social problems are necessary for the stability and functions of society and conflicts such as immigration are obligatory to help the economy and balance the labor market while disregarding the negative impact it causes to the individual. Contrary to functionalism, objectivism approaches social problems and immigration from a distinct perspective.
OBJECTIVIST APPROACH
The standpoint of objectivism avows that social problems are harmful conditions that are detrimental to individuals in a society. Whether the public is aware or not, social conflicts are part of society and they help create inequalities and injustice even if doesn’t affect all members individually or if is a topic of public controversy). The objectivist approach considers immigration as a harmful condition that produces inequality and a social imbalance that harms society and can only be remedied by reducing, correcting, or eliminating such social conflict (Jerome G. Manis, Analyzing Social Problems 1976:25). The difference between both approaches is noticeable because functionalism is individualistic while objectivism is collective. Nevertheless, the public has been so misinformed about the subject of immigration that in order to help reduce or eliminate all misconceptions the citizenry needs to be re-educated and provided with a new sensitive approach that will benefit all members of society. Social problems are a challenge for any functional society and if the public is not aware of the facts and only have access to misinformation their approach towards the social conflict such immigration will be erroneous and probably all decisions are made against their own interest. A very noticeable example of this controversy is the immigration issue, which has been tainted by misinformation, the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrival (DACA), a social action that has been keeping a large group of immigrants or dreamers, 800,000.00 approximately, in fear and without any hope of stability or legal status.
DEFERRED ACTION FOR CHILDHOOD ARRIVAL (DACA)
In 2012, then President Obama established an action which will enable some immigrants who came to the United States illegally as children and have attended school in the US to obtain a temporary work permit and avoid deportation for two years but with the ability to further renewal. On September 5, 2017, the current administration announced the elimination of DACA and opening a new negotiation in Congress to reform the program and eliminating benefits such as chain migration, visa lottery while addressing the current recipient’s status and securing our border (Robertson 2018). The public perception of DACA has been polarized by misinformation, the media, and politicians in order to alter the facts and continue to use Dreamers as a political tool to obtain other programs, disregarding the lives and future of those immigrants. The uncertainty of DACA recipients is definitely a social issue that will shape the future of our country either negatively or positively.
IMMIGRATION FACTS
The subject matter of immigration is perhaps the most debated topic of the last few decades and it is imperative to elucidate some of the misconceptions by providing a list of facts to eliminate misinformation and false data. A recent study by the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) debunked some of the false claims about immigration and created a list of few important myths and facts that affect people’s perception of immigrants and the importance of addressing such social conflict. From the list, few facts were compiled to create this immigration Facts list (ADL 2017)
· The majority of immigrants living in the United States are living here legally (44 million)
· Native-born Americans are more likely to commit crimes and become incarcerated than immigrants.
· Immigrants are not eligible to receive any government assistance because they do not possess a social security and don’t qualify.
· The majority of immigrants paid a large amount of taxes without qualifying for a return.
· Hard working immigrants contribute to the economy and help in all areas of technology, medical, legal, and education.
· A Wall will not prevent illegal immigration because the majority of illegal immigrants come by plane.
· Most Immigrants are decent respectful people working hard for their families and without any criminal record.
It’s apparent that education is the only smart approach to help eliminate the immigration myths and bring to the conversation facts and verifiable information to the table. Immigration is the social problem of the century and whether some people agree with the functionalist approach or the objectivity approach which understands social problems are harmful to society and creates inequality, the need for an immigration reform is undeniable and the social consequences of inaction are contra productive to the economy and social advancement of our future. Programs such as DACA will not only benefit the dreamers but it will also help the Nation’s economy while restoring the core principles of Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness.
Key Words: Immigrant, inequality, social injustices, rhetoric
Beyond Rhetoric: Analyzing Immigration & Social Inequality
References:
Anon. 2016. “Immigration Facts & Myths”. Retrieved
(https://www.uschamber.com/sites/default/files/documents/files/022851_mythsfacts_2016_report_final.pdf).
Card, D. 2009. “IMMIGRATION AND INEQUALITY”. Retrieved
(http://www.nber.org/papers/w14683.pdf).
Editorial. 2011. “History of U.S. Immigration Laws | Federation for American
Immigration Reform”. Retrieved (https://fairus.org/legislation/reports-and-analysis/history-of-us-immigration-laws).
Hjelm, T. 2011. Religion and Social Problems. Routledge.
Kenney, N. 2013. “Black America Web”. Retrieved
(https://blackamericaweb.com/2013/02/06/the-history-of-racial-economic-inequality-part-1-slavery/).
Manis, J. G. 1976. “Analyzing Social Problems / Jerome G. Manis - Details –
Trove”. Retrieved (https://trove.nla.gov.au/work/10903617).
Periodical. 2016. “IMMIGRANT & REFUGEE RIGHTS”. Retrieved
(https://www.adl.org/education/resources/fact-sheets/myths-and-facts-about-
immigrants-and-immigration).
Robertson, L. 2018. “The DACA Population Numbers”. Retrieved
(https://www.factcheck.org/2018/01/daca-population-numbers/).
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