Border Control: The Issue Of Illegal Immigration

Immigration is a rapid growing issue for the United States. For a long time people from other countries have been coming here to look for bigger and better things for themselves, as well as for their families. This article digs to the core of the issue, illegal immigration. Chideya wanted to know three things: 1) What is the reality behind the perceptions of Mexican Americans, 2) How do the residents of El Paso look upon the Mexicans, and 3) How do Mexican-Americans see themselves and their cousins across the border.

1) What actions prompted the border control offensive and made the issue of illegal immigration a priority?

Illegal immigration about our nation southern border did not become an issue that was highlighted until it became a political issue in the 1980’s. Before the 1980’s the southern border was pretty much open for people to cross. Because it wasn’t on the radar of either country it was quietly endured at the time by both sides of the border. However, the 1986 Congressional debate over how to deal with illegal immigration culminated in the passage of the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986(IRCA), which introduced employer sanctions for the first time, as well as a limited legalization program (Andreas 2009). The IRCA however was not really enforced however the legalization did open the door for many illegal immigrate to return to their homeland to get work visas and green card.

Six and a half billion dollars. Ladies and gentlemen, that is the approximate cost of a border that would stretch from San Diego to Texas. A chain-linked, steel, and barbed-wire border that would block hard work, dreams, and an inevitable fate. Through the brutal deserts, dehydration, and pain, only about a fourth of the immigrants trying to get to America make it. That means so much because of how many people try to accomplish this feat, considering still around nine-hundred thousand immigrants still make it. In all reality, borders are truly just an imaginary line some important people with wigs created. We, as a whole, decide how important things are. Money's just paper, an MLB star is just a normal human. However, something that always gets us, something that is made such a big fuss about, is a two-thousand mile long border, also known as The Mexican-American Border. Think about this. If we have such a powerful military and border patrol, why would we need such an intimidating wall? Or even why do we disown and hate these immigrants? Better yet, why would we spend all this money when we are trillions

There are multiple political forces that are playing a part in the border security/illegal immigration controversy. The current administration has publicly made reference that they will not revisit securing the border without a comprehensive immigration reform bill. The conservatives believe that in order to have a discussion regarding immigration reform, securing the border must come first. Depending upon which “side of the isle” that a person takes regarding the securing of the border, they fall in two categories – the conservatives mainly reside on the pros, and the liberal party tends to side on the cons of building a fence.

Immigration is an issue that many people see as small and insignificant. Many believe that it doesn’t concern or affect them in any shape or form. Truth is, it doesn’t matter if you're African American, Caucasian, Asian, Mexican, or another race, immigration is an issue that affects everyone. Immigration affects the economy, the workforce, families, and the individual’s themselves whose main goal and dream is the “American Dream” that they come to the US looking for.

“More than any other nation on Earth, America has constantly drawn strength and spirit from wave after wave of immigrants. In each generation, they have proved to be the most restless, the most adventurous, the most innovative, the most industrious of people. Bearing different memories honoring different heritages, they have strengthened our economy, enriched our culture, renewed our promise of freedom and opportunity for all” (Clinton 146). Those are some wise words from a former president who explains the importance of immigrants and has the mentality of a person who has reason. For many, or everybody, walking through a hot, dry desert with no water or even through a cold, windy and rainy desert would not be an activity that they would like to engage. Even though this dangerous and severe weather goes on, several people still immigrate illegally because they want what is going to be best for them. Some make it all the way and unfortunately some we do not hear about ever again.

When it comes to Enrique and Lourdes I believe that they do defy the stereotypes. This book gave me the knowledge of what really goes on with illegal immigrants. The trouble they go through to get to America is unbelievable. Some even have to the repeat the trip multiple times. Enrique himself had to eight times. The worst is the beatings he went through most times. How can one endure something like that multiple times? The police were nothing, literally nothing. The law is meant to protect people not join in. The emotions come from Lourde and her story leaving your children behind is something I cannot imagine. After reading this I do not think anyone judge immigrants the same.

The United States border with Mexico is a controversial topic that has been the subject of debate recently. It is without question a problem that needs to be fixed. Currently most policies are focused on the manpower, infrastructure, and security of the border itself. However the border security is changed there will always be a demand for illegal immigrants and drug smugglers to cross the border into America. That why we should try to disrupt that demand by legalizing marijuana in the United States, put more resources into fighting cartels, and invest into the Mexican economy. These are the first steps to regaining border security to both countries.

The border control issue and illegal immigration focus can be traced back to the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986. While the act did impose limited employer sanctions, the legalization component set the stage for illegal immigration as a priority in political campaigns (Andreas, 2009). Many previous legal and illegal immigrants returned to the United States to take advantage of the opportunity to become legal residents. This fueled the illegal immigration patterns by providing a stronger base of support and additional networking for documents, jobs, and housing (Andreas, 2009). This influx of illegal, cheap labor became particularly noticeable in California, prompting the passage of Prop 187 to reduce the availability of social services to illegals in 1994. Each of these elements contributed to the beginnings of illegal immigration as a component of political campaign platforms.

For quite a long time U.S. immigration policy and the current illegal immigration crisis has been one reason for political debates among democrats and republicans, as policymakers address problems related to U.S. labor demand and border security.

Immigration policy can be divided into two main aspects: Immigration Control and Immigrant Integration. In immigration control, policies often involve the control of the number of migrants flowing into a nation. This is achieved by implementing border controls, which play an important role in addressing national security and restricting migration flows. In effect, border controls are the main focus of governments when taking into account both security and immigration issues. The second aspect, Immigrant integration, involves the assimilation of immigrants into society. Integration is beneficial for security purposes; for example, the integration of immigrants, primarily Muslim immigrants, has gained momentum after a series of the terror attacks

No issue in any immigration policy kindles more dispute than the issue of illegal immigration. Unfortunately, some people confuse legal and illegal immigration. Legal immigrants are here legally. They have the proper, legal documents that allow them to live and work in the U.S. without complications. Illegal immigrants are defined as anyone who was born in a country other than the U.S. to parents who are not official U.S. citizens; they enter the U.S. without legal documents to prove their legal citizenship. Yet before the twentieth century, many individuals and families immigrated to the U.S. without restriction, and illegal immigration was not a problem at that time. Restrictive immigration quotas were presented, but even with limitations, citizens of the Western Hemisphere countries continued to immigrate outside of the quotas. Not until the 70th Congress did the Senate Committee pass an amendment to remove Mexico from the list of countries where families and individuals could immigrate without a quota. However, World War II began to require more and more troops, and the U.S. government looked toward Mexico because of the lack of manpower rather than issues regarding illegal immigration. The U.S. and Mexico endorsed an agreement that permitted Mexicans to work in America as a method to attend to the concerns of food processing in the U.S. during the war (Anderson, 91-93). In more recent years, President Obama, in an executive action, announced changes to DACA (Deferred

Illegal immigration is an increasingly huge issue in the United States. To solve this crisis or at least slow down the rate of illegal immigration, solutions with actions must be put into place. The first step would be to verify citizenship or legal residency for everyone. There should be a national database that can be accessed that would instantaneously verify this information. The federal government should employ Agents to go door to door to procure documentation from each person in a household to verify their citizenship or legal residency and then upload that documentation to the national database. If verification is not readily available, the person should be given 30 days to get the required documentation.

It was reported in the San Antonio Express News that “Border-Patrolling Drones Would Call Texas Base Home.” Lynn Brezosky reported that “U.S. Customs and Border Protection Commissioner Alan Bersin cut the ribbon for the launch of the nation’s fourth base for operating border surveillance drones.” This is important in securing the U.S.-Mexico border, which the U.S. has an approximate 1,933 mile long border with Mexico (Beaver). Brezosky also reported that “the Homeland Security budget called for two drones for Texas.” The new drones in Texas are another step towards securing the U.S. border with Mexico. On the other hand, the so called “border fence” is producing less than favorable results.