Ethics' role in issue of illegal immigration

By Archie Carroll: The issue of illegal immigration is one of the greatest social problems of our times. There are an estimated 12 million to 20 million illegal immigrants already in the United States. One thing is clear: The majority of American citizens think the problem is critical. A Time magazine poll found that 63 percent of those surveyed think the problem is "extremely" or "very" serious.
When the issue of ethics is brought up in discussions about illegal immigrants, usually the topic turns to business ethics because employers who hire illegal aliens are the driving force behind the problem.

The quick answer to the ethics question is that the illegal aliens entering the country are committing an unethical act and that the employers who are hiring them are unethical or amoral. After all, how hard is it to ask for a proof of citizenship? Around the world, governments have historically expected that people can show proof of citizenship or a work permit.

Three of the great ethics principles include those of rights, justice and utilitarianism. Let's explore each of these in terms of the immigration problem. First is the principle of rights. By definition, the illegals do not have a legal right to be working in the United States. Since both Mexico and the United States are sovereign countries that provide regulations regarding who can hold citizenship and work in their countries, it is hard to argue that the illegals have a right to be here and take jobs. Surely, the legal rights of existing citizens surpass the rights of those who are here illegally ... [Read More]

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