Westlake Word

In recent times, the American-Mexican border crisis has risen through the ranks as an issue of prominence. According to Michael Nicholson of the Center for American Progress, “The number of foreign-born individuals in the U.S. population has more than quadrupled since 1965 and is expected to reach 78 million by 2065.” He also asserts that “Mexicans account for half of all unauthorized immigrants in the United States, but the unauthorized Mexican population is declining. In 2014, 5.8 million unauthorized immigrants from Mexico resided in the United States, compared with 6.4 million in 2009 and 6.9 million in 2007.”

 

Firstly, to address the issue in all sincerity, one must observe the factors that encourage Mexican immigrants to the United States in the first place. Thus, the onerous circumstances that women often face in Mexico is alarming as “more than 66% of women over 15 years of age have suffered at least one incident of emotional, sexual, economic, and physical violence,” the National Institute of Statistics and Geography asserts. Thus, many strive to escape poverty, violence, while generally gaining more opportunities. This confronts many death causing aspects of crossing the border.

 

However, since the political election in 2015, an existing argument, (asserting harsher punishments regarding illegal immigration) grew more prominent as President Trump has asserted, “When Mexico sends its people, they're not sending their best...They're sending people that have lots of problems, and they're bringing those problems with us. They're bringing drugs. They're bringing crime. They're rapists. And some, I assume, are good people.”

 

The President's speech, given in June 2015, has sparked international dialogue regarding issues of immigration, more specifically regarding the Mexican-American border. Additionally, the Federation for Immigration reform claims, “In his plan, Trump notes that “the influx of foreign workers holds down salaries, keeps unemployment high, and makes it difficult for poor and working class Americans – including immigrants themselves and their children – to earn a middle class wage.”

 

During his campaign, President Trump has publicized his goal to construct a “big, beautiful border wall” that Mexico will inevitably pay for. According to Peter Holley of The Washington Post, “the goal of the wall, Trump has said, is to curb illegal immigration and drug smuggling.”

 

As far as the wall is concerned, the Pope notably stated, “A person who thinks only of building walls, wherever they may be, and not building bridges, isn’t Christian,’ the pope said when asked about then-candidate Donald J. Trump’s proposal to extend the border fence. Walls stand in the way of encounters, he said, while bridges facilitate them,” according to American Magazine.

 

Meanwhile, many have brought more factors into discussion regarding debate, particularly in regard to illegal immigration. More specifically,  debate circles around a more compassionate approach in regards to illegals, being that in ultra-modern times wish to carry out the issue with regards to the good of humanity aspect. There are now many criticisms about the harsh methods regarding immigration and many have condemned the President's comments. The World’s Monica Campbell, who is based in Mexico City states, “How do you force a country to cough up billions and billions of dollars for something that really is not in their interest? There is not really any support here in Mexico to build a bigger wall or a longer wall between the United States and Mexico.”

 

Monmouth University conducted a poll, titled, “Public Takes Softer Stance on Illegal Immigration,” that “finds that support for severe policy measures on immigration – such as deportation or a border wall – has declined over the past two years, although about one-fifth of Donald Trump’s base holds fast to a hardcore stance on this issue.”

 

Many solutions have been proposed, once from David Inserra, Political Analyst for Homeland Security and Cyber Policy, stating, “If they truly want to stop illegal immigration, some good places to start would be: expanding the number of ICE officers, pushing back on sanctuary cities, expediting deportations, and increasing the efficiency and number of immigration courts.”

 

However, in present day certain bans and strict immigration policies have been surrounded by controversy as several protest marches have sparked extreme discontentment towards individuals who oppose any form of immigration. Thus, Vladimir Vinokurov states, “When there’s a shortage of local workers, immigrants can fill the gap and help local businesses grow.”

 

In January 2017, PRI.org reported, “This week at a ceremony at the Department of Homeland Security, President Donald Trump signed an executive order to begin work to "build a large physical barrier on the southern border," according to the White House.”

 

With many perspectives surrounding the issue, Americans have showed an increase in an opinion to implement policies to encourage immigration legally being that the basis of American doctrine is “Give me your tired, your poor, Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,” according to the acclaimed Statue of Liberty.

 

Works Cited

Holley, Peter. “Trump proposes a border wall. But there already is one, and it gets climbed over.” The Washington Post, 2 Apr. 2016, www.washingtonpost.com/news/morning-mix/wp/2016/04/02/shocking-video-shows-suspected-drug-smugglers-easily-crossing-u-s-mexico-border/?noredirect=on&utm_term=.598feaa47309. Accessed 8 June 2018.

Inserra, David. “The Wall Is Not Enough. Here’s How to Solve Illegal Immigration.” Heritage.org, 9 Jan. 2018, www.heritage.org/immigration/commentary/the-wall-not-enough-heres-how-solve-illegal-immigration. Accessed 8 June 2018.

Nicholson, Michael D. “The Facts on Immigration Today: 2017 Edition.” Center for American Progress, 20 Apr. 2017, www.americanprogress.org/issues/immigration/reports/2017/04/20/430736/facts-immigration-today-2017-edition/. Accessed 8 June 2018.

“President-Elect Trump’s Stance on Immigration.” Federation for American Immigration Reform, www.fairus.org/legislation/presidential-administration/president-elect-trumps-stance-immigration. Accessed 8 June 2018.

“Public Takes Softer Stance on Illegal Immigration.” Monmouth.edu, 21 Sept. 2017, www.monmouth.edu/polling-institute/reports/monmouthpoll_us_092117/. Accessed 8 June 2018.

Staff, World’s. “Trump’s Plan to Build a Bigger Border Wall Has Plenty of Critics.” Pri.org, 26 Jan. 2017, www.pri.org/stories/2017-01-26/trumps-plan-build-bigger-border-wall-has-plenty-critics. Accessed 8 June 2018.

Vinokurov, Vladimir. “Open Immigration Is Good for the Health of People and the Economy.” Fee.org, fee.org/articles/open-immigration-is-good-for-the-health-of-people-and-the-economy/. Accessed 8 June 2018.

Z. Byron Wolf. “Trump Basically Called Mexicans Rapists Again.” CNN.com, 6 Apr. 2018, www.cnn.com/2018/04/06/politics/trump-mexico-rapists/index.html. Accessed 8 June 2018.

Zoldoš, Martina. “The Harsh Reality of Being a Woman in Mexico.” Matador Network, 2 Mar. 2018, matadornetwork.com/read/harsh-reality-woman-mexico/. Accessed 8 June 2018.