1.  Explain how and why global capitalism has created the need for immigrant labor. Include in your discussion the reasons for the failure of US policies to secure the borders and to implement the e-verify system. (20 pts)

One of the most fundamental parts of capitalism is that it relies on a lower working class to be exploited to the benefit of the true capitalists. Because of the civil rights movements throughout the 20th century, American workers enjoy high standards in working conditions and pay, at least relative to other parts of the world. With the globalization of capitalism, the spectrum from which workers can be drawn is largely increased. This causes American workers to become undesirable, when compared to foreign labor who are not protected by U.S. Labor laws. Therefore, the globalization of capitalism has brought forth an influx of not only outsourcing, but the importing of immigrants.
With a southern border ranging over 2,000 miles, it is impossible to monitor it in its entirety without the help of the military. As for the e-verify system, the use of this system would mean that employers are required to hire only those who are protected under American Labor Law. Because an illegal immigrant is more ideal, they will continue to seek them for labor, and provide them incentive to continue crossing the boarder illegally.

2.  Discuss the Immigrant Rights Movement, and explain why Marx proclaimed that
“The workers have nothing to lose but their chains”.  (15 pts)

Those who were able to illegally clear boarder patrol now demand the same rights as those who are legal citizens. Because their numbers are high, they are receiving more of a voice in their protests. However, because their residing in the U.S. Is illegal in the first place, they are essentially demanding to be pardoned for the crime that they all have in common. Their power comes not only from their numbers, but for their now important role in America. The problem is that America has allowed them to take up such an important role. Their refusal to work has demonstrated what is now their worth in our society, as they largely compose much of the labor we take for granted. This labor spans from cleaning services to childcare, on to landscaping and construction. Much of the lower class jobs, especially in areas nearing the border now consist of illegal immigrants. A crackdown in immigration would therefore require these jobs to be redistributed.
The quote provided by Karl Marx states that because these illegals are now at the bottom of society, they really don't have any further to fall. In protesting and fighting, however, they have the hope that their standards may be raised.
3.  In combining what you have learned from these 2 articles, discuss the viability of Obama’s promises of “Change” and of creating employment opportunities for the American work force. (15 pts)

Obama was rather supportive of immigrants in his campaign speeches, often stating that immigration is not an issue Americans should be worried about. His defending of illegal immigrants brings to question the viability of his promise to create more jobs. For example, Obama did promise to create not only 5,000,000 Green Jobs, but promised more employment through the maintenance of the infrastructure, as well as opportunities for employment through world trade. The question arising from these promises though, given Obama's stance on immigration, is how many American citizens will actually obtain these said jobs? Especially in the development of the infrastructure, it is known that the construction industry is largely composed of immigrant labor.
Aside from a promised increase in minimum wage, and the clearance for workers to unionize, Obama's proposed change had little to offer for those discriminated by their race or gender. The changes listed above will raise labor standards on an overall scale, but does not address problems of discrimination directly.