Immigration Term Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

Immigration - Term Paper Example Immigration law is a complicated process and there are exceptions when enforcing these laws, especially when acts of a criminal nature are committed. Most immigrants are not aware of the potential risks involved, (especially those with a temporary or non-secure status) when they commit a criminal offense. Additionally, the terrorists’ acts of 911 have directly impacted immigration laws. When the United States national security is violated at point of entry by criminals who enter unnoticed it becomes a spiraling effect on its citizens. The numbers of immigrants that enter the United States borders (land, sea and air) every year are in the millions. It is virtually impossible to have a profile on every single individual. Some of these immigrants have criminal backgrounds and are on the run from their own country or they may possess no criminal record but have a high potential to become first time offenders in the United States. The citizens of the United States expect that immig ration law will protect them on a national level from potential criminals at the point of entry. However, many criminals have become very adept at disguising themselves in order to enter the United States. Sadly, they are not found until something disastrous occurs. These individuals put a strain on the infrastructure and services within our local communities. The costs for retaining immigrant criminals and processing them through our system are exorbitant spiraling into the millions. While local governments and law enforcement agencies face the direct burdens of immigrant criminals the costs spills over at the state and federal levels as well. Based on the severity of the crime most individuals will be deported after serving their time. An example of how a criminal act can affect immigration law is the case of â€Å"Padilla versus Kentucky†, (October 13, 2009 – March 31, 2010) whereby Mr. Padilla who lived in the United States for over 40 years and was a lawful perman ent resident, faced mandatory deportation after pleading guilty to drug distribution in the state of Kentucky. At his post conviction hearing he stated that his lawyer not only did not advise him that he could be deported but also told him that since he lived in America for such a long time there was no chance of him being deported. Well, there is no excuse for ignorance or misinformation in the court of law. There was a time when judges were very lax in deporting immigrants for criminal offenses but this was more than 90 years ago. Federal law now imposes strict guidelines for deportation of criminal offenses whether or not the individual has a status of lawful permanent resident. This case showed how immigration law and criminal law became intertwined. Mr. Padilla committed a criminal offense which was punishable under federal immigration laws. After the devastating attack of September 11, the immigration problem in the United States took a major turn. Terrorism was the new crime on the horizon. This was a downward turn in America’s economy. Military personnel had to be increased; diplomatic relations and initiatives with other countries had to be look at with scrutiny. The security at airports and several public places had to be increased. As a result changes in immigration and border patrol were directly affected. Nineteen of the terrorists apprehended from that major event were foreign citizens who entered the United States legally. The terrorists