Are mass amnesty programs right?

Luis (No)

While amnesty programs have been taken to solve some of the main issues of legal and illegal migration in America's past, granting amnesty on a mass scale is unfeasible now, given the vast numbers of illegal migrants living in the US today. Such a measure could spark some national security issues as the rapidness of the process can bypass background checks. Such a situation would allow thousands of individuals with a criminal past to remain in the country.

Mass amnesty programs aren’t good because they radically change the country’s community fabric in terms of beliefs or even national ideals, considering that these types of programs absorb massive amounts of immigrants at the same time. Additionally, it has an unfair political implication as these programs typically benefit the political party that supports it. These programs can also have a severe economic impact in the countries that execute them, as more people in the workforce can depress wages and affect the job market. Moreover, it can overwhelm public services, not only the welfare systems but also education and healthcare, as a consequence of a sudden increase of legalized immigrants.

Finally, mass amnesty programs frequently undermine legal immigration into the country, representing an unfair situation for those migrants who came legally. In fact, promising mass amnesty could encourage and increase illegal entry, as it sets a precedent where those who do it can eventually become naturalized citizens without too much effort. Countries being open to legal immigration is arguably a good thing. But along with this good comes the responsibility to solve the legal situation of those who are undocumented, even if that is through mass deportation of immigrants. However, enacting mass amnesty programs is not the way to go about solving America's immigration crisis.

Andrew (Yes)

Mass amnesty programs offer a clean slate to those who are in situations where there is no recovery without major hardship. For undocumented people, there is little choice between continuing to live in the shadows or going back to where they came from and taking their chances. For those with massive tax debts, it can be impossible to access the financial system. There are many reasons why a past transgression might find someone living on the wrong side of the law, and amnesty programs allow these people to become fully participating members of society. Amnesty programs offer a chance for people to come clean and get a fresh start. 

Mass amnesty programs also allow the government to take an easier and potentially less expensive route to getting people into legal situations. By granting amnesty, the government doesn’t have to go through the massive effort of tracking people down, charging them, investigating, and clogging the courts with excessive caseloads. According to the Center for American Progress, on average, it costs over ten thousand dollars to deport an undocumented person, meaning it would cost billions to remove all undocumented people in America. Conversely, if these people were offered amnesty, they could come out of the shadows and be fully productive members of society.

Amnesty programs build trust and partnership between the government and citizens. Showing mercy to someone who has done something wrong can be a way to bring that individual into a more positive relationship with the government. Whether we like it or not, many in our society could benefit from amnesty programs, and often, societal forces have shaped their fates. It only makes sense to show mercy for both the individual and the larger society.