In addition to crime rates, much of the drug smuggling into the United States occurs over the US/Canada and the US/Mexico borders. According to a 1997 report, the breaking of immigration laws helps Mexican drug industries to reach into the United States, and that much of the drug smuggling is dependent on illegal immigration (“Illegal Immigration” 7). Because illegal immigration is rising, there is more opportunity for drug smuggling across borders, so more drugs will be in circulation, possibly causing more and more people, especially in California and other states close to the border, to do drugs.
The California justice department said that in 1995, 60% of the members of a gang called the “Bloody 18th Street Gang” were illegal immigrants, and the gang had about 20,000 people, but the police say that the percent is higher. This gang works with the Mexican Mafia on selling and providing drugs, drive-by killings, and is the cause of about one assault or burglary every single day in LA County. Also, this gang has drastically enlarged by recruiting illegal immigrants who have just crossed the border (MacDonald 2). This is an enormous problem, and cannot be solved because of sanctuary policies and polices fear of backlash from the Illegal Immigrant and Hispanic Populations.
The original reason for sanctuary policies was to help convince and encourage illegal immigrants to work with the police and not be deported and take advantage of public and government services, although they contribute little. But, the downside of the laws is that police are not allowed to bring a criminals immigrant status into the crime, and they cannot prosecute them or arrest them. This also lets illegal immigrants have unchecked reign over drug markets and smuggling into the country (MacDonald 3). Even though the police cannot touch these criminals, the government does employ agents whose tasks are to control the country inside the borders. But, there are only about 2000 agents nationally whose jobs are to deport illegal immigrants, stop counterfeiters and smuggling and the thousands of people who employ illegal immigrants (MacDonald 8). Only 2000 people to do this isn't nearly enough, especially when every year, 500,000 more enter the country.
Research and information supports that if illegal aliens were deported and stricter immigration policies enforced it would benefit the security and economy of the United States. Both the job and employment markets would benefit, because natives and legal immigrants would have a better chance of getting jobs, due to less competition. Also the ability of Government policies, education, and health services to work smoothly and efficiently would be insured due to decreased pressure put on them by illegal immigrants. If this change does not occur, then crime rates in the United Sates will stay at level and probably start to rise. Overall, illegal immigration has negative impacts on the economy, government program/services and can raise drug use, crime, gang and rates.
While we should not harbor hatred for illegal aliens, we should remember that our own incumbent politicians are the people that are despicably pitting American citizens and illegal aliens against each other for profits and votes, and most American voters repeatedly reward those incumbent politicians with 95% re-election rates.