Illegal, Legal Immigration: Causes, Effects and Solutions. Why Some Succeed and Others Fail

By Kofi Quaye

This book will inform and educate the general public on illegal immigration and its effects not only on those directly involved in the process, but on the general population as well. Writing about it in the context of its impact on contemporary society seems to be the best way to do it. How the different media view it, the degree to which the public has been influenced to view the question of immigration in the United States, Europe and elsewhere are included in the issues discussed, analyzed and elaborated on, as we attempt to look at the process of immigration, legal and illegal, from the standpoint of its impact on society as a whole.
If some of the stories seem to be familiar, it is because the people are real, and the things they talk about actually happened. They are essentially true stories told by people who want to share their real-life experiences. Only in a few instances have names been changed to protect the identities of those involved.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Sep 15, 2008
• ISBN: 9781465330413

Kofi Quaye

General Davis is a former gang member, motivational speaker, advocate and expert on gang and youth violence. He has dedicated himself to working with at risk youth and young adults. He makes presentations in colleges, high schools, churches and communities all over the country on youth violence and gang prevention and related topics. His website- www.generaldavis.com- contains information on how he can be contacted. Contact info is-315-876-4577. His email [e-mail] Kofi Quaye is originally from Ghana in West Africa. He resides in Syracuse and has been actively involved in the media as a journalist, editor and publisher. He was already an established author before arriving in America having written a series of crime and mystery novels, which made him one of the first African writers to write about urban life and crime in Africa. His books include JOJO IN NEW YORK, FOLI FIGHTS THE FORGERS (Macmillan, England,) SAMMY SLAMS THE GANG (Moxon Paperbacks Ltd, Accra, Ghana,] NO DEAL, (Heritage Communications, Syracuse, NY.] SUPERSTAR [Mysteek Books] CHANGES [Mysteek Books]. Since the late seventies, Kofi Quaye has edited newspapers and magazines and contributed articles to leading publications including Essence Magazine and was recently the editor of Syracuse based CNY VISION weekly newspaper. Kofi Quaye’s contact info is: 315-516-2390. His website is-mysteekmedia.com. Email: [e-mail]

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Copyright © 2008 by Kofi Quaye.

Edited by Fawn Kohl

Cover Design by Erle Irons Jr.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in

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in writing from the copyright owner.

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Contents

Acknowledgement

Foreword

Introduction

Chapter One

ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION: WHAT IT IS ALL ABOUT

Chapter Two

ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS: HOW AND WHY IT HAPPENS AND WHAT HAPPENS TO THEM

Chapter Three

FACTORS THAT CREATE ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS

Chapter Four

PROBLEMS ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS HAVE TO DEAL WITH

Chapter Five

ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION: WHOSE FAULT IS IT?

Chapter Six

THE ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION MESS: WHERE, HOW AND WHEN IT OCCURS

Chapter Seven

CHILDREN OF ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS: WHAT HAPPENS TO THEM WHEN PARENTS ARE SEPARATED AS A RESULT OF DEPORTATION

Chapter Eight

RETURNING HOME: REASONS WHY IMMIGRANTS RETURN TO THEIR NATIVE COUNTRIES: WHY SOME DO AND OTHERS DON’T

Chapter Nine

SEEKING SOLUTIONS TO THE ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION PROBLEM

Chapter Ten

CULTURAL AND SOCIAL PROBLEMS IN THE IMMIGRANT COMMUNITIES: WHEN OLD AND NEW VALUES CLASH

Chapter Eleven

CHALLENGES AND PROBLEMS IN IMMIGRANT AND NON-IMMIGRANT RELATIONSHIPS AND SOCIAL INTERACTION

Chapter Twelve

THE NEW WOMAN: The impact of immigration on the Third World female: A new perspective.

Chapter Thirteen

ALTERNATIVE SEXUAL LIFESTYLES AMONG IMMIGRANT WOMEN FROM DEVELOPING COUNTRIES

Chapter Fourteen

THE ROLE OF CHILDREN IN THE IMMIGRANT COMMUNITY

Chapter Fifteen

THIRD WORLD MEN, FIRST WORLD WOMEN

Chapter Sixteen

ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES IN IMMIGRANT, NON-IMMIGRANT MARRIAGES AND RELATIONSHIPS

Chapter Seventeen

FIRST WORLD MEN, THIRD WORLD WOMEN

Chapter Eighteen

PREMATURE DEATHS, SUICIDES, DEPRESSION, CRIME ON THE RISE IN THIRD WORLD IMMIGRANT COMMUNITIES: CAUSES AND EFFECTS

Chapter Nineteen

SUCCESS AS DEFINED IN THE IMMIGRANT COMMUNITY

DEDICATION

We researched, wrote and present this book on behalf of Mysteek Foundation as part of our efforts to contribute to educating and informing the public about the immigrant experience, with particular reference to illegal immigration, and also to acknowledge and recognize the outstanding accomplishments of men and women whose immigrant experiences have contributed to making them great leaders in government, business, military and law enforcement and other areas of life. It is quite possible that their immigrant backgrounds played a role in making it possible for them to excel in their fields, professions and careers, and to accomplish such great feats.

We cite General Colin Powell, former United States Secretary of State, George Soros, Sydney Poitier, Harry Belafonte, Senator Barack Obama, and many others who have risen to the top of their professions and have become shining examples to humanity.

We also cite others with similar immigrant backgrounds whose immigrant experiences have been less than ideal, yet they continue to strive towards the goals they have set for themselves, sustained by the dream most immigrants have when they leave their native countries: to become successful.

This book has been inspired by the great effort made by men and women who have committed themselves to being part of national and international efforts to find solutions to issues in the immigration process that create illegal immigrants, and to make it possible for immigrants to pursue the objectives that lead them to leave their native countries.

In the United States, President George W. Bush comes to mind, along with other national leaders that include Senator Ted Kennedy, Senator John McCain, Senator Russ Feingold, Senator Hillary Clinton, and others who have committed themselves to finding a solution to the problem of illegal immigration.

Though illegal immigration remains largely unresolved, their efforts have contributed to making some progress: at least, they have succeeded in focusing public attention on it, and forcing a continuing debate in the public arena and in the media.

The goal in writing this book is to inform and educate the general public on illegal immigration and its effects not only on those directly involved in the process, but on the general population as well. Writing about it in the context of its impact on contemporary society seems to be the best way to do it. How the different media view it, the degree to which the public has been influenced to view the question of immigration in the United States, Europe and elsewhere are included in the issues discussed, analyzed and elaborated on, as we attempt to look at the process of immigration, legal and illegal, from the standpoint of its impact on society as a whole.

If some of the stories seem to be familiar, it is because the people are real, and the things they talk about actually happened. They are essentially true stories told by people who want to share their real-life experiences. Only in a few instances have names been changed to protect the identities of those involved.

President George W. Bush on Immigration Reform

We’re a nation of laws, and we must enforce our laws. We’re also a nation of immigrants, and we must uphold that tradition, which has strengthened our country in so many ways . . . We will fix the problems created by illegal immigration, and we will deliver a system that is secure, orderly, and fair. So I support comprehensive immigration reform that will accomplish five clear objectives. . . .

Senator John McCain on Illegal Immigrants

The most difficult problem is what to do about the twelve million or more undocumented workers who live and work here now.

Senator Barack Obama on Immigration Reform

I have been a consistent champion of comprehensive immigration reform. And keep in mind that my father came to this country from a small village in Africa because he was looking for opportunity. And so when I see people who are coming across these borders, whether legally or illegally, I know that the motivation is trying to create a better life for their children and their grandchildren. So I was one of the leaders, along with several other senators, in passing comprehensive immigration reform. It failed in the House. That is going to involve some elements of border security because we’ve got to make our borders more secure. We can’t just have hundreds of thousands of people coming into the country without knowing who they are.

Senator Ted Kennedy on Guest Worker Program

Now, there are several reasons why a temporary worker program, within certain constraints, is a good idea. The first reason is because it will help to relieve the magnet for illegal immigration. The reason most of the people are crossing our border illegally is to get employment. There are jobs available for them. Some people say this is work Americans will not do. That is actually not true. But there are not enough American citizens to do all of the work that needs to be done. So naturally the law of supply and demand sets in here. People come across the border illegally, and they take that work. What we want to do is both close the border, but also eliminate the magnet for illegal employment here, because the reality is desperate people will always try to find some way to get into the country.

Acknowledgement

My own ‘immigrant experience’ has been positive in every way I can think of. The friends I have made and hang out with, the business associates I have dealt with, the people I have written about and or collaborated with on book and multi-media projects have all been part of a process that has provided me with the insight, the perspective, the courage and the inspiration to undertake the task of researching and writing this book.

I acknowledge the following people; Lecy Davis, Verna Davis, Albert Antelmi, Dithole Thebe, Teshane Ali, Eugene Trey ‘Trigger’ Cotten, [son], Ayesha Quaye, [daughter], Cathren Raines, Alex Gause, Inf Bey, Cheryl Redfield, David Prater, Troy Prater, Peter Wynn, General Davis, Mervyn Patrick, Nathaniel ‘Nate Dogg’ Holloway, Greg and Debbie Egbuna, Kwame Otieku, Victor Atta, Nana Anim and Kristin Ashbarry, June Parris-Miller, Rev. Otis Blue, James Blue, Vicki Frederick, Schimeon Frederick, Sr. and Jr., Tanganyika Frederick, Regina Baiden and many others too numerous to list here.

Foreword

From such lofty and powerful sources as President George W. Bush, the majority of the United States Congress, the European parliament and from as far away as continental Australia, illegal immigration has become the dominant theme, as well as in the media and in public debate. So serious has it become that during the 2008 American presidential campaign, all the candidates had to deal with figuring out what answers to give to the question of what to do about illegal immigration. Inability on the part of any of the presidential candidates to articulate a coherent policy on illegal immigration was seen as representing a serious flaw on their part, and could create very serious problems for them in terms of voter support and loyalty.

The general public also acted with indignation and outrage in the United States over the issue of illegal immigration. In a number of cities in Arizona, vigilante forces were formed by groups of people living along the border with the aim of hunting down and arresting foreign nationals suspected of being illegal immigrants.

Other measures and forms of action, often radical, have been taken by citizens and governments in an attempt to stem the tide of illegal immigration in countries all over the world. The issue of illegal immigration is, by far, one of the hottest, most controversial topics today, with governors, senators, congressmen and women, weighing in with different solutions. They all have something to say, or give the appearance of having something to say in part because remaining silent could be easily misinterpreted as lack of concern or sensitivity over an issue that has gripped the attention of the entire globe.

Introduction

No matter where you live, what you do or where you do it, your life is impacted in one way or another, directly or indirectly, by the immigration and the illegal immigrant phenomena. Your next-door neighbor, colleague at work, business associate, spouse, boyfriend or girlfriend might be an immigrant or have relatives who are immigrants. In fact, all Americans are said to have immigrant beginnings, whether they like it or not, with the exception of native Americans. What you may not know is that he or she, your next door neighbor, business colleague, girlfriend/boyfriend or spouse may be in the country without the proper documentation and is therefore an illegal immigrant.

But you have no way of knowing they are illegal immigrants just by looking at them, and they most certainly wouldn’t tell you or anyone else. And that scares and angers many people.

The questions many ask but can’t seem to find the answers to are: how do you differentiate an illegal immigrant from a legal immigrant? Are there any characteristics that set them apart? What can be done about it?

As alluded to earlier, there is no way of telling who is an illegal or legal immigrant. The only thing that distinguishes them is that one has the legal right to live and work in the country, while the other is doing so illegally.

That the issue of illegal immigrants is a recurrent theme in the national and international media is beyond question. It has become the most controversial topic in global politics and the international media in part because of the impact it has on all aspects of an individual and society’s life.

Where does it all begin? What creates illegal immigration? Do people deliberately plan to become illegal immigrants? Who is a typical illegal immigrant?

In countries such as the United States, England, France, Germany and far away continental Australia, the media has succeeded in projecting an image of the illegal immigrant that repels most native citizens.

On its southern flanks bordering Mexico, television cameras have captured hordes of Mexicans and other nationalities trying to sneak into the United States by scaling walls, running through people’s backyards in towns along the border or meandering their way through the desert in a desperate effort to evade authorities simply because they lack the proper documentation that will allow them to enter the country legally.

In North Africa, Morocco has become the staging point for Africans seeking to enter Europe illegally. Again, the media has presented the world with pictures of men and women trying to sneak into Spain in make shift boats or simply by swimming across the sea that separates the two countries.

Such attempts to enter a country as described above certainly gives credence to the notion that it is quite possible that many begin the immigration process knowing or even planning well in advance that they might end up as illegal immigrants in another country.

WHAT IS IMMIGRATION ALL ABOUT?

Immigration is generally described as a process that involves people leaving the familiar surroundings of their native countries to live and work in a strange new place where he or she may not know anyone, may have to adjust to a new and different culture, lifestyle, foods and eating habits, religion, politics, etc. Question is: Why do some succeed, while others fail as immigrants?

Like everything else, several factors are involved: having the right information, knowing what to expect, what to do, when, how and with whom. The most common issues involved in the immigration process usually tend to relate to what makes people decide to immigrate in the first place, why they chose certain countries, as opposed to others, what they do when they get there, what happens to them and their children, their native cultures, customs and traditions.

Quite often, most illegal immigrants begin by doing the right thing. Many begin the process legally. They seek and gain entry into countries as visitors, or students with visas that authorize them to stay in the country for a specific period. Thus they gain entry on a legal basis to begin with. They become illegal