Deporting Illegal Imigrants

The deportation of illegal immigrants has been steadily increasing within the past few years. 35,000 immigrants were arrested in 2007 which is more than double the amount of 2006. A record breaking 276,912 immigrants were sent back to their home countries in the past year alone. Mainly Hispanic families have been affected by the stronger law enforcement, because about 3/4 of the estimated 11.3 million illegal immigrants in our country are from Latin America. Immigrants that have been here for 15-20 years that have established lives and families now live in fear daily of being deported. Many concerned immigrants do their shopping in towns distant from home, avoid parties and do not take vacations. They stay away from ethnic stores, forgo doctor’s visits and meetings at their children’s schools, and postpone girls’ quinceañeras, or 15th birthday parties. Stores catering to Hispanic immigrants have been losing business as well. Although many people find immigrants to be a problem in our country and only a nuisance, deporting all 11.3 million of these people would be economically impossible. Many illegal immigrants contribute to our society and are hardworking members of society, that have withdrawn into seclusion to avoid their biggest fear of deportation.