To access extended pro and con arguments, sources, and discussion questions about whether undocumented immigrants should be given a path to citizenship, go to ProCon.org.
“Path to citizenship” is a political phrase that usually refers to allowing undocumented immigrants to become American citizens via a special process. This process may include special requirements (such as fees, background checks, or additional waiting times) beyond those already in place for the naturalization of documented immigrants. Citizenship means the immigrants could receive government benefits (such as Social Security), would be eligible to vote, could bring family members into the U.S., and would not be deported for committing a crime.
The term “legalization” refers to a different process from a path to citizenship. Legalization means undocumented immigrants would be allowed to remain in the country legally but would not be allowed to become citizens or receive the same rights granted to US citizens. With legalization, the immigrants would be authorized to work in the U.S., have the ability to legally travel in and out of the country, and would not be subject to deportation for being in the country (though committing certain crimes could lead to deportation). They would not be eligible to vote or to receive government benefits or to bring family members into the country.
PRO
- Undocumented immigrants have lived in the United States for years, paying taxes and contributing positively to the country, and therefore deserve a path to citizenship.
- Many undocumented immigrants arrived as children, had no choice in breaking immigration laws, and know no other country.
- The United States is both a nation of laws and a nation of immigrants, and its policies should reflect these facts.
CON
- Undocumented immigrants have broken the law that legal immigrants have followed and should not be rewarded for their crimes with the benefits of citizenship. Such actions incentivize lawbreaking.
- The United States needs to enforce immigration laws already in place.
- A path that stops short of citizenship would be a more appropriate and humane approach to undocumented immigrants.
This article was published on December 21, 2022, at Britannica’s ProCon.org, a nonpartisan issue-information source.