The immigration debate in US
Immigration is still a significant and hotly debated issue in American politics as politicians seek to have the public support their ideologies or opinions regarding immigration to the USA. Issues of insecurity and illegal businesses such as drug and human trafficking are always at the forefront when the topic of immigration is mentioned. This topic has led to divisions in both Houses as leaders and politicians disagree on the solution and way forward regarding immigration. Many questions still remain unanswered. What impact does immigration have on the US? How do the immigrants affect or relate to the natives? Should the immigration debate be approached from perspectives of migrants or from that of natives and the US as a country? However, the answers to these questions are yet to be found as the number of migrants continues increasing.
The immigration debate lies not in mind and decisions of an individual but requires a selfless approach that will not only benefit specific individuals or nations but the whole world. The US Mexican border remains the focal point of interest since many illegal migrants enter the US through this route. Immigration to the US should be opened for particular individuals who should be later be legalized by presenting them with correct documents based on their reasons for migration because this could help save the lives of immigrants, protect them from violence and benefit the country through economic development.
The historical documentary Harvest of Loneliness takes America back to the years where the immigrants were a valuable asset to the economic development of the country. The documentary details the Bracero Program in which many Mexican men were enrolled to work as laborers in the USA. During this time (1942-1964), Mexicans were recruited both legally and illegally to work in the agricultural sector in the USA. The Bracero program was an agreement signed by the Mexican and American governments meant to benefit both countries. It is evidence of the importance of immigrants to the then-booming agricultural sector and the dependence on the migrants for cheap labor. However, the experiences of these migrant workers show that they did not receive equal or expected benefits form this program (Harvest of Loneliness). The US benefited immensely from the program while the Mexicans nursed broken families and little economic freedom. Don't use plagiarised sources.Get your custom essay just from $11/page
Migration for labor is one of the reasons why the migrant levels, especially Mexicans, are high in the US. However, there are numerous other reasons why migrants move to the USA, whereby some are critical and should receive top consideration. Considering the traditional benefits of migration to the nation, denying migrants entry to the country may not be the wisest decision for both parties. It is essential to understand the numerous reasons why individuals decide to risk their lives as they seek entry to America, which will facilitate the decision-making process regarding the legalization of specific migrants.
Since independence, American has been considered a haven for many people fleeing from all sorts of problems and injustices. Mass migration from Europe dates back form the 1800s, where migrants arrived from Europe, especially from the poorer European countries. The developing technology and decreasing fares allowed these migrants to come to the USA in search of better opportunities. In the Bracero program, the US focused on its need for a predictable and cheaper workforce, but the migrants wanted not only the economic freedom but also the safe working environments presented by the countries (Harvest of Loneliness). Others, especially those from Europe, were fleeing from their hunger-stricken countries. The focal point is that America has always been a haven and melting point for all migrants.
A review of the lives of several migrants living in America presents the country as a beacon of freedom (destination America). For many years the country has always offered political asylum, especially to leaders advocating for better policies in their countries. However, the availability of laws protecting the freedoms of persons has attracted more migrants to the country. In the documentary destination America, artistic freedom is one of the principal reasons identified by the migrants as a motive for migration. Painter Ilya Kabakovis is one of the migrants in this documentary who has fled from oppression and denial of freedom of expression in his home country. He perceives America as a place where he can enjoy the freedom of expression. Providing a safe place for such individuals not only gives the country a better face in terms of respecting the rights of individuals, but also helps such people develop their talent and contribute to stability in their home countries as their advocate for justice, and political sanity through their art.
Religious freedom in the USA is considered a personal right where migrants don’t have to blend in the mainstream religions of the nation. In the documentary Destination America, one migrant Tsering is in the US seeking asylum due to religious persecution in her county. Although she has not received the status during the production of this documentary, she is confident about maintaining her religion. The different segregated religious communities featured in the film present America as a country that respects the religious beliefs of other individuals. A good demonstration of this practice is where Cantu, as a border guard, allows the illegal migrants he found in the church to pray before taking them to the station (32). The US should, therefore, stand in the gap and protect the religious freedom of all persons by giving asylums to individuals being persecuted for their religious beliefs in their home countries.
Violence against women is one of the highly detested issues that many governmental and non-governmental organizations. In America, violence against women is prosecutable based on the laws of the country. In other nations such as Mexico and other South American countries, the battering of women is rarely considered an issue of the law but instead a family matter. Many women have lost their lives in the hands of their husbands or family members since matters of gender equality are rarely addressed. In the documentary destination America, one of the victims of domestic violence explains her ordeal, and the fact that she is secure on American soil can only make Americans proud. Advocating for the rights of women can be supported by allowing such migrants to enter the country.
The USA has always been on the front line in offering asylum to victims of war. Many war-torn countries are unable to protect their citizens from such incidents, especially when the government is battling resistance groups within their borders. However, the insecurities experienced by citizens in countries where the laws do not offer enough security to their citizens get less attention. After watching the Senorita Extraviada documentary, one engages with the horrible and inhumane acts subjected to women in a country where the authorities give less attention to domestic violence. In this heartbreaking documentary, hundreds of women (only those known and documented) are missing. Others have been found dead after sexual and physical abuse. All these crimes occur in the town of Juarez along the Mexican American border, along which the border wall is expected to be built. The town is insecure for all individuals (Cantu ). As a country that is famous for valuing the lives of all individuals, barring the entry of innocent individuals seeking refuge from such oppression does no good to the country. On the other hand, saving the lives of hundreds of innocent young girls and women will not be an achievement of any individual or nation but of the world.
Over the years, the economic impact of immigration has been extensively researched and assessed from different perspectives. Most of the migrants encountered by Cantu featured in his book are on transit to America looking for better job opportunities. The man from Michoacán apprehended by Cantu and the group insists on being given any job as he awaits his bus for deportation (Cantu 26). The same case applied to the girl from Guadalajara (Cantu, 30). Most of these migrants are in search of better economic positions. Viewing them as a destruction of the economy could be a misleading approach. In the documentary crossing Arizona, it is clear that migrants from Mexico will risk their lives in search of better opportunities.
The arrival of migrants to the US in the past aided in the transition towards civilization as they provided readily available labor for the US companies. The positive economic impact of this migration cannot be ignored. Mexican migrants still work for farmers in states close to the border, including California and Arizona. These workers provide cheap labor, which has been acknowledged by the farmers despite these workers being undocumented (crossing arizona). This can be considered a way in which the US benefits from the arrival of the migrants. There have been continuous debates regarding the impact of the availability of cheap labor on the wages of Native Americans.
A study conducted by Abramitzky and Boustan on the impact of immigration on the wages of native Americans did not find empirical evidence regarding any effect of immigration (1333). However, historical trends that showed that migrant payments did not adversely affect the wages of the natives cannot be used to make present judgments since times have changed, impacting the economy and population, making the circumstances in the contemporary world different from those of the past. On the other hand, most of the migrants are undocumented and thus have no equal opportunities as the natives showing that they may not impact the wages of the Native Americans (1333). These migrant laborers are not subjected to equal labor market institutions such as minimum wage equipment (1334). They work for less and, therefore, do not adversely affect the wages of Americans.
The various reasons presented above provide justified reasons for the USA to allow migrants into the country. The underlying negativity associated with immigration cannot be ignored. For instance, the issue of drug and human trafficking along the Mexican border increases insecurity in the US and Mexican side of the border. Mexican migrants are known for their involvement in drug-related crimes and violence in the USA. Critics of immigration consider acceptance of migrants as the destruction of the safe haven for the children as drugs become readily available in the country. Another issue used to deny asylum to the large numbers of Mexican migrants is the adverse effects of their arrival on the employment availability for natives. Employers will prefer cheaper sources of labor as they seek to maximize their profits.
On the other hand, the increase in insecurity has also been associated with immigration. After the September 11 attack, concerns related to the security of the US gained currency, considering that the country was harboring some of the organizers of the crime. The possibility of the arrival of terrorists in the country as migrants or asylum seekers can also not be ignored. Additionally, the increase of cases of violence in the southern border of Mexico is an indication that refuting insecurity claims will be irrational and unwise. Therefore, even though the country decided to open its doors to migrants, extreme precautions will be necessary.
The decision regarding immigration remains unsolved. The building of the Mexican border wall can, however, provide a lasting solution to this problem, considering that most illegal immigrants access the country through this entrance. The wall will allow an in-depth and proper assessment of immigrants entering the USA and hence help reduce the possibility of the entry of terrorists and other individuals who may be a security threat. Through the assessment, Mexicans will get equal opportunities as other migrants who enter the country legally. This move will also reduce the death of illegal immigrants who die trekking in the desert to avoid being caught.
Immigration to the US should be opened to specific migrants based on the reasons for their relocation needs, which will help in the reduction of deaths of migrants, protect them against violence and also benefit the US through the availability of skilled labor. Extreme situations in countries have compelled the movement of individuals to different countries, which is the same case in Mexico as women and men flee from violence and seek better jobs for economic freedom. Other reasons include asylum for political situations and search for freedom of expression. However, the country needs to control the entry of criminals and terrorists, which can be done by erecting the US Mexican border wall. Here, formal assessment and legalization of migrants will be easier. It will be an opportunity to offer assistance to women fleeing from violence and to reduce the death of migrants traversing the dessert. Accepting this policy will not only be beneficial for America but also for the world as the country takes part in the conservation of life.