Immigration and the State of the Union

January 30, 2012

While many changes in immigration policy are happening in state legislation, President Obama discussed illegal immigration and its nationwide impact in last week’s State of the Union address. Obama especially noted those immigrants who “were brought here as small children, are American through and through, yet they live every day with the threat of deportation” and others who come to study “business and science and engineering, but as soon as they get their degree, we send them home to invent new products and create new jobs somewhere else.”

President Obama states that though there are lesser border crossings now than when he took office, comprehensive immigration reform is a necessity. After reading Enrique’s Journey, what do you think? Is immigration reform necessary? How does immigration affect innovation and jobs for American workers?

For further information, watch the following clip from the 2012 State of the Union address, or click here to access the full script. As always, leave a comment and let us know what you think!