Immigration and the Community Policing the Immigrant Community Term Paper

immigration to the U.S. And focuses on Charlotte North Carolina. The reader is given an foundational understanding of the INS and how it operates as well as information about immigrants in the Charlotte area, both documented and non-documented. There were four sources used to complete this paper.

INS the Immigrant Police

WHAT IS THE INS?

The letters INS stand for Immigration and Naturalization Services. Its purpose is to document and legalize immigrants who come migrate to other nations to live and to work. The INS started in the 1800's when the government decided that America had a policy of immigration that was to free and to open

After certain states passed immigration laws following the Civil War, the Supreme Court in 1875 declared that regulation of immigration is a Federal responsibility. Thus, as the number of immigrants rose in the 1880s and economic conditions in some areas worsened, Congress began to issue immigration legislation. The Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882 and Alien Contract Labor laws of 1885 and 1887 prohibited certain laborers from immigrating to the United States. The more general Immigration Act of 1882 levied a head tax of fifty cents on each immigrant and blocked (or excluded) the entry of idiots, lunatics, convicts, and persons likely to become a public charge. These national immigration laws created the need for a Federal enforcement agency

Through the years many changes in the way the office was conducted took place and in 18892 the federal government began operations in New York City, a port where thousands of immigrants each year, came to America to start new lives. During periods of mass immigration the government further restricted and rewrote immigration policy and today it stands as the overseer of those who wish to live her and those who are here without permission.It enforces the laws of immigration and investigates claims of illegal activity. It assists in criminal deportation as well as the process of asylum. While every state in the nation has influxes of immigrants the state of North Carolina has been especially impacted with immigration issues the last few years.

According to the latest Census Bureau report Hispanics are the fastest growing population in America. This trend is proven out in North Carolina in many of its cities

"In North Carolina, the number of year-round Hispanic residents has exploded. The Census Bureau says the number has risen from about 77,000 in 1990 to 161,000 two years ago. Other experts say that figure is far too low, estimating the number at 349,000 last year. Most Hispanics were drawn to the state by its abundant jobs and an unemployment rate as low as 2% in some areas. "

While the influx has had positive affects in some areas of the state's growth there are residents and politicians who believe the explosion of growth brings with it a set of problems all its own. One of the problems according to opponents of such steadfast growth is the shrinking job market. Many feel that the nationwide economic turndown of late is going to be made worse by immigrants taking jobs that could go to United States citizens. While this sounds like a narrow minded viewpoint, those who believe it say they are only looking out for the financial protection of their families.

"Richard Vanderford, a local auto shop owner who helped organize the rally, said in his request for a rally permit that "non-American workers" are creating "an unburden able strain on the indigenous residents here, our traditions, our institutions and our infrastructure

Those who advocate.....