Immigration in Texas

  Chapter 1 discusses the controversial issue of immigration in Texas. Texas shares the longest border with Mexico of any state in the United States. Therefore, immigration has long been a very important issue to the Texas economy and the Texas political culture. Address the following questions and support your positions with relevant scholarly research. Which side of the immigration debate do you think makes the strongest argument: those who want a more open border and a path to citizenship for individuals who are here illegally, or those who believe the border needs to be much more secure and that those here illegally need to go to the "back of the line" before they are granted citizenship? In the case of immigration in Texas, do the positives (less expensive, hardworking labor, for example) outweigh the costs (economic strains on the education and health care systems)? Do the arguments against immigration seem xenophobic in any way? Do the arguments in favor of immigration seem idealistic or too unwilling to make hard choices in society? Do you think it is possible to come up with some type of compromise on this issue? What components would you like to see in a comprehensive immigration reform plan?