Should undocumented migrants get an automatic 'path to citizenship'?

Luis (No)

While nations should be open to migration, deporting undocumented foreign nationals over providing an automatic ‘path to citizenship’ is necessary and right. Doing so upholds the rule of law and guarantees that immigration policies are enforced uniformly and fairly for everyone entering the US.

Sovereignty means that a nation has the right and moral obligation to deport migrants who enter illegally. It’s never morally justifiable to illegally enter a country and then expect that country to give you citizenship and all the benefits that accompany it (voting, taxpayer services, welfare benefits, etc.). Yet that's what many in our political era believe should happen, especially in America. 

Removing foreign nationals who are here unlawfully is not only justifiable, but it's one of the best ways to enhance national security. Controlling the flow of people who cross the border mitigates potential threats posed by migrants with unknown backgrounds. Even foreign terrorists have taken advantage of America’s recent open border. It wouldn’t be right to give any of these recent crossers citizenship, whether now or years from now. Deportation is a matter of respect and fairness to the migrants who spend their time and resources taking the proper steps to legalize their migration status, which is not the easiest process. Deporting also prevents unfair competition for resources and jobs, guaranteeing that legal migrants can have better opportunities. Moreover, doing the opposite of offering automatic citizenship, namely deportation, serves as a deterrence to future would-be migrants, discouraging them from illegally entering the country, as they would know their actions will have immediate consequences.

While America does offer diverse opportunities, no migrant is entitled to them. Deportation trumps automatic citizenship for those who knowingly, willingly, and continually break the law is the right thing for any sovereign nation to do.

Sam (Yes)

As it stands, most undocumented immigrants are ineligible to obtain permanent citizenship through established and highly restricted pathways such as “employment, family reunification, or humanitarian protection.” Additionally, undocumented immigrants are generally prohibited from undergoing the application process while residing in the country. 

Granting pathways to citizenship to undocumented immigrants can promote public safety and security. Numerous surveys have found that undocumented immigrants are less likely to report crimes, even those of which they are the victims. In part, this trend is caused by the distrust and fear undocumented immigrants have towards police and the government due to the threat of deportation. Unreported crimes threaten the safety of communities as a whole because distorted crime data can negatively affect the way law enforcement is trained and how resources are allocated to victim support services.

Allowing undocumented migrants pathways to citizenship is a pragmatic solution to the reality on the ground. Millions of undocumented immigrants are already living in the country. Addressing this reality with mass deportations is economically impractical and irresponsible, as the total cost of executing such a policy is projected at 285 billion dollars. Furthermore, America would take an additional financial blow by losing the economic contributions of undocumented migrants.

Offering pathways to citizenship recognizes the humanity of undocumented migrants and their motivations behind immigrating in the first place. Most undocumented migrants left Central American countries, like Mexico and El Salvador. People often flee from these countries to escape dire circumstances like government corruption, crime, and persistent poverty. Many are willing to undertake dangerous journeys to rebuild a life with better opportunities for themselves and their families.