By: Patrick Cook
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.
Families flee due to cartel violence, seeking safety in the U.S.
Cartels like CJNG exploit and terrorize civilians, pushing migration
U.S. policies must prioritize protecting these vulnerable populations
”Cartel-related violence in Mexico skyrocketed in the 2000s and 2010s, and the number of casualties rose tremendously."
(Cartel-Related Violence, Teiner)
Texas' use of razor wire and buoys causes unintended fatalities
Supreme Court interventions show conflicts in border management strategies.
The balance between effective border control and humane treatment is needed.
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)
Immigrants fill crucial job gaps and boost economic growth
Drug trafficking concerns necessitate thoughtful border security without stereotyping
Stricter policies should not compromise the U.S.'s values of opportunity and sanctuary.
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:
Text
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
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