Introduction
This is a critical analysis essay on a speech touching on immigration reforms which was delivered by President Barack Obama in Las Vegas, Nevada. In his speech, he called for bold changes to the nation’s immigration’s policies. This article examines the lengthy speech and critically analyses it.
Brief Summary of the Speech
This speech specifically seeks to drum support for reforms of the immigration policies. The President basically argued that reforming the policies is necessary for the US to gain from immigrants. By reforming the policies, he believes that the US stands a better chance of gaining. He argued that the undocumented workers within the country can be gradually integrated into the nation and their contribution will greatly boost the economy.
The main argument of the speech was that leaving the immigrants in the dark is negatively affecting genuine American business people and therefore the economy. The President noted that the undocumented workers are employed by companies which do not adhere to the set business laws as regards to employee welfare. As a result, these companies have an edge over those that follow the law of the land. He also noted that immigrants have already proved their worth in assisting to set up great businesses like Google and Yahoo.
Critical Analysis
The topic of the speech is a hot button issue. This is addressed in the speech as the speaker acknowledged that there are differences in the immigration debate but was quick to add that the differences are fading. He noted that key figures in the democrat and republican parties have once made similar proposals to the immigration policies. This is a very significant part of the speech as it helps to show that tension is easing on the issue and this is what will make the proposals to go ahead.
Another significant part of the speech is illustration offered that integrating the undocumented workers will actually boost the economy. This is done in a very convincing manner. It is shown that the undocumented workers are used by scrupulous business. Such businesses gain an advantage over other businesses which adhere to the laws of the land. As already noted above, it was shown how immigrants have already made their contribution to creating more jobs through business start ups such as Google and Yahoo.
This speech was delivered in a very logical manner. The language used was simple and arguments made were plain and simple to understand for the immediate audience (which included high school students), and the rest of the public. The President argued that after students earning their degrees in the US, it should be the US to benefit from such skilled people. He logically argued that there is more to gain by retaining skilled personnel in IT and Engineering instead of sending them away to competing nations – this makes a lot of sense.
The speaker made it clear that the undocumented workers will have to follow the due process including paying penalties and being scrutinized, to the green card, and lastly into being citizens. This process will not take place overnight but rather it will be a long process. He pointed out that the US is a nation built by immigrants and therefore, it was only logical that the undocumented workers be given a chance to make their contribution to the US and live the American dream.
Conclusion
The speech on reformation of the immigration policies is delivered in a simple manner that helps an audience with all people of different calibers to understand it. The arguments are logical and practical and this makes the speech highly convincing.