Using the hard work that you put in the Research Paper for Unit VII, you will build a 10-slide PowerPoint presentation to present your findings, and portray the importance of implementing an ethics-tr
Running head: RESEARCH PROPOSAL
RESEARCH PROPOSAL:
ASSESSING THE IMPLICATION OF IMMIGRATION LAWS ON UNDOCUMENTED IMMIGRANTS
Christopher Valiante
Columbia Southern University
Assessing the implication of immigration laws on undocumented immigrants
Executive summary
In recent times, the country has seen the formulation of stringent immigration laws targeting illegal immigrants. The Trump administration, however, seems convinced that laws are neither sufficient in helping ameliorate the status of illegal immigration into the USA, and have also come up with physical barriers as well. That being said, it is a major concern for ethical thinkers that the administration have not balanced state interests with the rights and welfare of undocumented immigrants. The paper illustrates the extent to which undocumented immigrants continues to suffer from lack of welfare and state protection, in the face of tough immigration laws.
Specifically the study recommends that immigration laws need to have a face of humanity and should also look deeper into the way of ameliorating the lives of human beings under the doctrine of natural law.
It also recommends that laws seeking the denial of immigrants from entry into the country need to be balanced with contextual circumstances and each situation treated with merit.
Finally, the study recommends that existing immigration laws need to be overhauled to ensure that they are in line with international best practices.
Introduction
The very impacts of immigration laws on undocumented immigrants are a matter of prime concern in health pedagogy. Undocumented immigrants face several health challenges and are fundamentally on the receiving end of a breakdown in legal protection. Of special theoretical significance is how a milieu of social factors such as; exposure to domestic and workplace violence, lack of police protection, lack of social security and education; contributes to poor health and wellness of the immigrants. This essay examines the impact of undocumented immigrant status on health. The number of undocumented immigrant has increased over the years. Cases of the immigrants being denied rights and facing dire impacts on their social lives due to denial of welfare services are in plain view in the public domain. This phenomenon has evidently resulted in a need to study not only the psychological but also social effects of immigration laws on undocumented immigrant.
Narrative
Problem statement
The study seeks to answer to the specific problem of; what impact does immigration laws have on undocumented immigrants? The problem interests because it touches on the millions of lives in the USA. Currently, there is an estimated 4 million illegal immigrants in the country.
The problem of illegal immigration in the USA cannot be underestimated. It concerns counties, as well as the national governments, and therefore, it is an emotive issue. The response from the government has however focused on enacting legal statutes to the effect of ensuring that a majority of immigrants are illegal, faces imminent deportation, and detention. The regimes force millions of immigrants to live under abject poverty, which in essence ensures that they are underserved.
Immigration laws have indirect effects on undocumented immigrants, which lead to a deterioration of their health and wellness. First, immigration status ensures that they cannot access police protection. Lack of legal protection implies that the immigrants are not protected from health issues emanating from all forms of violence. It is golden that immigrants fear to contact the law enforcement agencies whenever their rights are violated for fear of detention and deportation. Law enforcement agencies often react to reports of violations of rights of immigrants by ensuring that their status is verified beforehand. It is difficult to even face the officers because of the overlying fear of being deported.
Literature review
They are hence forced to work under poor work conditions, which in effect leads to poor health and wellness (Chang, 2019). These conditions include occupational risks, as well as environmental hazards. It is only natural that illegal immigrants access risky jobs that aggravate their poor health and wellness situation. Lack of job opportunities also implies that undocumented immigrants lack access to quality food. Poor nutritional, as founded on the premise of the food pyramid, is a dream for many of the immigrants. Nutritional challenges are also imminent among formerly homeless individuals (Bowen et al, 2019). Poor nutrition leads to health issues which also impacts on the cost of living (Herman et al, 2015).
The second opportunity that illegal immigrants lack access to is education. Lack of educational opportunity is harnessed by the fact that they are poor. There is an interrelationship between poverty and education, even though the connection is often categorized as broad. Undocumented immigrants need to learn communicative English to access the job market. Therefore, since most of the immigrants are from Latin countries in the USA, they are often required to learn a different language which is often not possible. The implication of poor education is lack of access to jobs, poor housing and nutrition. Housing nevertheless is a challenge for Americans, notwithstanding that it is more expensive for illegal immigrants (Gunn, 2018).
Finally, illegal immigrants face the challenge of a lack of access to social security advantages. First, because of the lack of social security identification details, they cannot apply for insurance, Medicare or Medicaid (Berk, & Schur, 2001). The implications of the deprivation to health and wellness are extreme because they directly impact on the quality of health outcomes. For purposes of coping with the challenges, the undocumented immigrants coalesce around social support group which are however inadequate to resolve all the problems facing them. It is significant, therefore, for society to change their thinking on undocumented immigrants. Wherever laws are made, it is essential that legislators and executive think tanks also consider the unintended or indirect effects. There is a need to make sure that enacted laws do not entice immigrants to hide and hence disenfranchising their human right protections. Fundamentally, the rules should be made to the effect that they do not encourage illegal activities to flourish.
Methodology
The study essentially adopted a qualitative approach. The process of selecting the participants therefore is purpose sampling where the sample was collected using snow ball technique. It is a chain sampling strategy whereby the sample is selected through referral and through possessing the information and characteristics of the study. Following interview with eight undocumented immigrants, data was analyzed using thematic analysis. The findings of the study leads to the conclusion that undocumented immigrants faces a number of challenges accessing welfare services, state protection and live under the constant fear of maltreatment.
Ethical issues
The main ethical dilemmas that emerged from the findings of the study is that while immigration laws are made in line with the interest of the state, they in turn lead to suffering and misery of undocumented immigrants. The dilemma is such that the state has a legitimate right under international law to protect its boundaries while at the same it is in line with universal declaration of human rights, and the first amendment, that the rights and welfare of all that lives I the USA shall be upheld. There is also a need for a humane face in immigration laws because those who find themselves as legal citizens may themselves be immigrants in the future. The main players in the dilemma are the state regime and the undocumented immigrants. It also includes the immigration authorities who sometimes deport undocumented immigrants with impunity.
Course themes
The need for administrative authorities to pursue actions that are grounded in moral reasoning is not a newly founded dispensation. Ethical practices should be the guide to action and practice even though not everything that is legal is ethical. Administrator should be driven by civic responsibility as well as commitment to their occupational needs. They should also at all times endeavor to pursue actions that protects the rights and welfare of everyone in the society regardless of their class, status, nationality, religion and ethnicity.
Analysis or critique
The forceful deportation of undocumented immigrants without a consideration of merit amount to a violation of due process and equal protection clauses. It is the blatant violation that is to blame for the misery and suffering of the immigrants. The suffering includes lack of access to educational opportunities, social protection services and police protection.
Recommendation
The inadequacy of the self-preservation measures is eloquent to the extent that undocumented immigrants should rightly be considered part of the underserved population, hence need for contingent policy for their protection. The government should make an effort to integrate the undeserved community back to the society. It is significant, therefore, for society to change their thinking on undocumented immigrants. Wherever laws are made, it is essential that legislators and executive think tanks also consider the unintended or indirect effects. There is a need to make sure that enacted laws do not entice immigrants to hide and hence disenfranchising their human right protections
Conclusion
In summary, therefore, there is a secure connection between illegal immigration status and lack of welfare and state protection. Illegal immigrants lack access to legal protection, social security, job and education opportunities. The variables often aggravate their poverty, housing and sanitation challenges. To survive immigrants subsists on self-support groups and community organization.
References
Berk, M.L. & Schur, C.L. (2001). The effect of fear on access to care among undocumented Latino immigrants. Journal of Immigrant Health, 3(3), 151-156. doi:10.1023/A:1011389105821
Bowen, E. A., Lahey, J., Rhoades, H., & Henwood, B. F. (2019). Food Insecurity Among Formerly Homeless Individuals Living in Permanent Supportive Housing. American journal of public health, 109(4), 614-617.
Chang, C. D. (2019). Social determinants of health and health disparities among immigrants and their children. Current problems in pediatric and adolescent health care, 49(1), 23-30.
Gunn, D. (2018). Low-Income Americans Face a Harrowing Choice: Food or Housing. Retrieved from Pacific Stadard: https://psmag.com/economics/the-rent-and-mortgage-payments-are-still-too-damn-high
Herman, D., Afulani, P., Coleman-Jensen, A., & Harrison, G. G. (2015). Food insecurity and cost-related medication underuse among nonelderly adults in a nationally representative sample. American journal of public health, 105(10), e48-e59.
