Seeking a Change in Immigration Policies
By: Patrick Cook
Introduction to Immigration Issues
For many years in the US, migrants and people seeking refuge have been treated unfairly and have had their rights violated. As a nation built by immigrants, the United States must evolve its immigration policies to ensure safety, promote economic growth, and protect human rights.
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Families flee due to cartel violence, seeking safety in the U.S.
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Cartels like CJNG exploit and terrorize civilians, pushing migration
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U.S. policies must prioritize protecting these vulnerable populations
The Humanitarian Crisis: Violence in Mexico
”Cartel-related violence in Mexico skyrocketed in the 2000s and 2010s, and the number of casualties rose tremendously."
(Cartel-Related Violence, Teiner)
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Texas' use of razor wire and buoys causes unintended fatalities
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Supreme Court interventions show conflicts in border management strategies.
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The balance between effective border control and humane treatment is needed.
Border Security Measures and Their Impacts
The razor wire and buoys would take the lives of many who were not discouraged by them. The increasing toll of lives taken by these policies and the complaint that the federal government cannot enforce their job. (Trump’s Border Militarization, Slack)
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Immigrants fill crucial job gaps and boost economic growth
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Drug trafficking concerns necessitate thoughtful border security without stereotyping
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Stricter policies should not compromise the U.S.'s values of opportunity and sanctuary.
Security Considerations
As places in the US are suffering from a drug crisis such as Kensington, PA more and more cities are getting overrun by drugs. “Philadelphia has the highest overdose rate among large cities in the US.”
(Overdose Prevention Site Acceptability among Residents, Roth)
Some people may fear job competition and resource strain from increased immigration because they believe it will decrease the economy's strength.
In response to this:
- Economic data suggests immigrants generally enhance job creation and fill vital roles.
- Policies can be crafted to both support immigration and address legitimate economic concerns.
- Migrants from other countries can also fill skill gaps in jobs.
Addressing Economic Concerns
Immigration policies
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Conclusion: The Path Forward
In this pivotal moment, our immigration policies must reflect our core values of protection, opportunity, and respect, ensuring that America remains a home of prosperity and growth.
Teiner, David. “Cartel-Related Violence in Mexico as Narco-Terrorism or Criminal Insurgency: A Literature Review.” Perspectives on Terrorism, vol. 14, no. 4, 2020, pp. 83–98. JSTOR, https://www.jstor.org/stable/26927665.
Slack, Jeremy. “Trump’s Border Militarization and the Limits to Capital.” Journal of Latin American geography 18.1 (2019): 193–197. Web. https://vccflvc.primo.exlibrisgroup.com/permalink/01FALSC_VCC/27q245/cdi_proquest_journals_2201428418
Works Cited
Roth, Alexis M. et al. “Overdose Prevention Site Acceptability among Residents and Businesses Surrounding a Proposed Site in Philadelphia, USA.” Journal of urban health 96.3 (2019): 341–352. Web.
https://vcc-flvc.primo.exlibrisgroup.com/permalink/01FALSC_VCC/27q245/cdi_pubmedcentral_primary_oai_pubmedcentral_nih_gov_6565835
Works Cited
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By pattycooks