Course Work Sample On Critiquing Internet Sources

Introduction

Today, the internet is flooded with information, which is presented through podcast, videos, and blogs. Given the vastness of the information, it is imperative to be selective when using internet sources to research for information. Essentially, the internet source needs to possess some requirements before it can be accepted as a credible source. Besides, the availability of information on the internet has had a major impact in the comprehension of multiculturalism and global citizenship. In this paper, one video, one blog, and one podcast will be critiqued, and the impact of web-based sources for the understanding of multiculturalism will be analyzed.

Video

Tamar Jacoby gives much insight into this controversial issue in the video that examines the economic impact of the illegal immigrants in the US. Jacoby argues that rather than competing with the Americans in the labor market, the illegal immigrants take up the demeaning jobs in their bid to compliment the US’s labor force. She goes ahead to give an account of a man who would not work as a low-skilled job category for the mere reason of being a US citizen (Jacoby, 2009). However, Jacoby’s argument is biased because she fails to touch on the weakening of the rule of law in respect to the regulations of the labor market brought about by illegal immigrants. Additionally, illegal immigration increases the chances of the US being subject to international terrorism akin to the 9/11 attack (Hanson, 2007). Jacoby is also biased in her analysis because some illegal immigrants do high-wage jobs, and this means that they deprive qualified US citizens of their chances of taking up such jobs (Griswold, 2012).

Nevertheless, Jacoby’s affirmation about the law concerning the illegal immigrants is valid. She argues that the law puts employers in a dilemma: should they obey the law or focus on growing their businesses. It is because low-wage jobs compliment high-wage jobs: she gives an example of a restaurant business (Jacoby, 2009). Moreover, the employer’s dread being fined for employing illegal immigrants, and this may slow down the economy in the long run (Hanson, 2007). She also brings up the point that smugglers are the only people who benefit from illegal immigration. Indeed, the task of smugglers culminates the moment they successfully slip the illegal migrants through the borders and whatever happens afterward is less of their concern (J.P.P, 2014).

The applicability of the information presented by Jacoby is unquestionable. To begin with, Jacoby doubles up as the president and CEO of Immigration Works USA Inc. As such, the credibility of her assertions cannot be doubted; hence, the applicability of her information. What is more is that the information is relatively current, February 23, 2009 (Jacoby, 2009). Timeliness is an important aspect when considering the applicability of information.

Blog

In the The Economist website, blogger J.P.P gives a very hefty argument towards the issue of illegal immigrants in the US. He argues that the number of illegal immigrants coming to the US is significantly decreasing, especially those originating from Mexico. He attributes this drop in illegal migration to the improvement in the Mexican economy, and the other countries. This process encourages people to stay in their native countries rather than migrating to the US (J.P.P, 2014). This argument is biased in the sense that he fails to consider the fact that the US is an economic giant. There is still incentive to move to the US despite the improvements in the economies of other countries (Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2014). Laborers migrate from their native countries to the US in search of greener pasture given its economic position.

However, his assertions on the tactics used to sneak illegal immigrants into the country are valid. Since the immigration laws for children and adults are different, children are easily smuggled across the borders through illegal means. He goes on to assert that there are even people who have made it their profession to smuggle people through borders (J.P.P, 2014). The improvements made on the borders yield trivial benefits since the perpetrators change their tactics as well.

Moreover, the use of supporting figures to make his argument make J.P.P’s information applicable. For instance, he illustrates the pattern of immigration into the US using a graph from the Pew Research Center, which is a trusted survey website. Also, he uses figures from the Department of Homeland Security to show the frequency with which illegal immigrants are being deported from the US. Also, the information is applicable since it is timely, November 20, 2014 (J.P.P, 2014). The argument put forward by the blogger is fortified by the use of information from credible sources.

Podcast

The Real Vision Podcast, hos