Persuasive Speech 2b4813

Name: Brigitte M. Jones__________ Date:_11/23/08_______________________

Persuasive Speech Outline: Topic/Title: _ Illegal Immigration Introduction: Purpose: To persuade the audience about illegal immigration. Specific Purpose: To persuade the audience about illegal immigrants wanting to better themselves and make a future for their families. Attention getter: Over the years, a dispute has arisen over the issue of illegal immigration in the United States. Although there had been an open door policy on immigration for many years before, today individuals have a different perspective on the situation. Preview statement: While the differences in the contradictory and racist immigration laws are relevant, individuals should understand that “illegal immigrants” only desire to provide for their families, as well as, give their children a future, something that is economically impossible elsewhere, specifically Mexico. Body: I. Main point #1: Many individuals would agree that racism should be prohibited. It is negative approach that only results in more controversy. The United States immigration laws are inconsistent and racist. Does that mean they should be forbidden? A. for #1: “The United States was created as a nation of immigrants who left Europe for political, religious, and economic reasons” (Katel 404). They wanted to better their lives in order to have hope for a future.

An example of the inconsistency “[i]n the 19th century, thousands

of

Chinese laborers were brought here to build the railroads and then

were

excluded - via the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882 – in a wave of

anti-

Chinese hysteria” (Katel 404). An individual getting excluded after

such

an accomplishment signifies a contradiction. B. for #1: What about the racism? “In 1890, Census Bureau Director Francis Walker said the country was being overrun by ‘less desirable’ newcomers … whom he called ‘beaten men from beaten races’”

(Katel

404). Also, “[b]efore 1944, the illegal traffic on the Mexican

border …

was never overwhelming … [but] the wetback traffic has

reached entirely

new levels” (Katel 404).

C. for #1: These people, whether they are illegal or not, are human beings. They deserve an equal opportunity to provide for the well being of their families. Just like Cannon says “… U.S. immigration policy needs to

be reconfigured because of its many contradictions”

(Murray 2666). The

racial slurs are used thoughtlessly just as the

inconsistent immigration

laws are.

II. Main point #2: Still, illegal immigrants, especially from Mexico, dangerously attempt to enter the United States daily. Although some may succeed; many others fail. They sacrifice their life in order to discover ways to improve the lives of their families. A. for #2: “Dust Devils whirl around us as the raw sun torches the bleak landscape. The hot sun blisters our feet. The vast desert swallows our footsteps. And the distant mirages consume our dreams” (Annerino 7).

The men experience many harsh difficulties while seeing more

than desired.

“Searching for higher wages and a better way of life,

undocumented foreigners

(the supply) cross the border to find jobs, which the

U.S employers (the demand)

want to fill with inexpensive labor” (Murray 2666).

They continue to advance

because their families give them hope.

B. for #2: “They left behind the respect of the community that knew them as honest men who braved the American desert to feed their families for the scorn of

a country that depended on their back-breaking labor but refused to see

them”

(Annerino 76). People view illegal immigrants as a disgrace to society, but

they

only want to make a living like any other. C. for #2: All of the quotations lead back to the most important reason “illegal immigrants” enter into the United States and that is to provide their

families the

ability to succeed. “They left it all behind because Mexico could

not offer them,

and 40 million others, the one thing they needed most to

pull themselves up out of

the depths of poverty and despair; an honest job for an

honest day’s wages”

(Annerino 76).

III. (Main point #3): On the other hand, the critics of the nation’s immigration policies have a different view on the situation. They say “illegal immigrants take American’s jobs, threaten national security and even change the nation’s culture by refusing to assimilate” (Katel 393). A. for #3:_ Katel states that the immigrants’ advocates believe that illegal immigrants take the jobs that American’s refuse which in return boosts the economy (393). The largest hindrance is that many employers see nothing wrong

with hiring illegal immigrants; the job has to be accomplished. “‘The

crime of the

immigrants is that they want to work hard,’ said Frank Sharry, the

executive

director of the National Immigration Forum, a pro-immigration

group. ‘The crime

of the employers is they want to help the economy’” (Murray

2666). B. for #3: Evidence shows that the illegal immigrants are not trying to take away from the Americans; they only want to better themselves. Former undersecretary of the Department of Homeland Security, Asa Hutchinson, agrees

that the law should be enforced; however, when a family is

being productive and

contributes to American Society while still having a good

life, yet in fact they

entered into the U.S illegally, the illegal aspect cannot be

overlooked (Katel 413). C. for #3:_ “We understand the humanitarian reasons that brought them here” (Katel 413). Those facts tie back into the idea that “illegal immigrants” come to

the United States in order to find a solution to their poverty

problem back in their

homeland.

Conclusion: Summary/review statement: We, therefore, the people of the United States should reconsider the negative images that are involved with the issues of “illegal immigration”. Despite the open door policy that once resided here, today the impact; another

policy is a controversy. What one person may view as a positive may see as a harmful event. Whether a person is legal or

illegal, they are still an

individual that provides for their family by working.

All in all, illegal immigrants

want to find ways of improving their poverty; while

American’s want to preserve

their economy. Is it wrong to want a better life?

Should one be criticized for

wanting what is best for their family? Absolutely

not! Just like any other

American, they would go above and beyond

if it pertained to the well being of

their family. Also, they would strive to

maintain their own identity. Concluding remarks: Immigrants are people too. They are taking the necessary actions needed to make a difference in the lives of their family. Visual Aid (s): What type of visual aid(s) will you use? I will use some images that express the work that immigrants have done and some of their accomplishments here in the United States. What equipment will you need? I will need a video recorder, a laptop computer, light to make sure the recording goes well, and possibly a table to place everything on.

Works Cited Annerino, John. Dead In Their Tracks: Crossing America's Desert Borderlands. New York: Four Walls Eight Windows, 1999. Katel, Peter. "Illegal Immigration." CQ Researcher 15.17 (2005): 393-420. CQ Researcher Online. CQ Press. Dallas County Community College Library, Mesquite, TX. 25 Nov. 2007 . Murray, Mark. "Border Games.(illegal immigrants from Mexico)." National Journal. 33.35 (Sept 1, 2001): 2666. Opposing Viewpoints Resource Center. Thomson Gale. Dallas County Community College. 24 Nov. 2007 .