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Immigration

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The topic selected for discussion is immigration. By definition, immigration refers to the

action of moving and living permanently in a foreign nation (Douglas et al., 2019). While this is

a social issue experienced across the globe, in the US, particularly at the southern border,

immigration is a multifaceted issue taking into account that it is intertwined with other complex

issues and dynamics such as human rights, socioeconomic aspects, and geopolitical aspects as

well. Even though families might be genuinely striving to look for a better life in the US,

apprehension, separation, screening, and detention as they wait for asylum processing claims can

pose an environment where their rights can be undermined. Even so, from the lens of border

security, US patrol agents are just doing their jobs, and this is to ensure that only those who are

eligible are considered, while also targeting to control the entry of illegal substances such as

narcotic drugs that are linked to southern countries. I chose this topic simply because it resonates

with the aspirations of people in tough situations, who seek a better future and opportunities for

themselves and their families.

Immigration in the US dates back to some centuries ago. For instance, between the period

of 1870 to 1900, it is estimated that about 12 million people across the globe left their homes and

moved to live in the US (The Library of Congress, n.d.). These people were running away from

harsh living conditions such as famine, and high taxes, while others were seeking favorable

social conditions such as freedom. The majority of people in this timeline came from Germany

England and Ireland. In addition to this, it is estimated that about 700,000 Mexicans came to the

US from about 1900 to 1930 (Digital History, n.d.). These mainly came to meet seasonal

agricultural needs and the majority were hence found in rural areas where agricultural lands were

concentrated. While this is the case, it is essential to note that immigration in the US has also

been influenced by past policies. Take for instance the Immigration and Nationality Act of 1965
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which sought to abolish quotas and hence changed the preference to emphasize immigrant’s

ability and skills, which were seen as aspects that could help positively contribute to the growth

of the nation (Chin & Villazor, 2015). Even though immigration is indeed a delicate issue,

especially on the US southern border, in general, it carries a huge effect on not only the

individual who seeks to live in the foreign country but also the society as a whole. Individuals

who seek entry into the US for instance through the southern border, usually go through a very

long and dangerous journey from their countries of origin where they risk starvation, disease, and

exploitation along the journey. Those who wait for the processing of their claims also undergo

questionable treatment at overcrowded detention centers where family members may undergo

separation. On the other hand, society also benefits from the presence of immigrants as they use

their skills, especially in the informal sector to contribute to economic growth. Even so, complex

dynamics surrounding immigration raise concerns when it comes to the use of limited resources,

matters of formal employment, and cultural integration.

Immigration, especially in the US southern border is an issue that has received increased

attention in recent years. This can be attributed to the increasing number of people seeking entry

into the US from this border. It is estimated that encounters with the US border patrol were about

2.2 million in 2022 (Statista, 2023). Moreover, recent data from depict an increase of about 15%

from August to September 2023 (Isacson, 2023). This increase is associated with immigrants

from countries such as Cuba, and Venezuela. Moreover, in March 2020 during the onset of the

Coronavirus pandemic, an emergency policy by the name Title 42 was enacted. Its main

function was to give power to border patrol agents to turn away immigrants at the border due to

the health emergency as a means of reducing the risk of transmission into the US (Ulrich &

Crosby, 2022). This was invoked by Trump’s administration who had also advocated for tougher
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policies and measures such as the erection of a wall along the entire length of the southern border

it shares with Mexico. Title 42 nonetheless is no longer in force as of May 2023. President Biden

has been key in rescinding Trump’s policies regarding immigration. The end of this title signals

progress away from dehumanizing and harsher policies, nonetheless, a lot is still required if this

issue is to be effectively managed and improved. This issue is still important today since data

indicates that every month new immigrants arrive at this border seeking entry. In addition, the

humanitarian, economic, and social aspects that surround this issue at the border also draw the

attention of not only policymakers, but also advocacy groups, and immigrant communities.

Immigrant communities care the most about this issue this is because it directly affects their

welfare, especially for those living in the US and those within the detention centers awaiting the

processing of their claims by the immigration court. In addition, policymakers and key

governmental stakeholders are key people in this issue in ensuring border security while also

managing migration flow effectively.

When it comes to solutions, it is important to note that some of the most basic

interventions can target individuals such as those from immigrant communities. Such

interventions can target to provide support systems for immigrants. These can be legal

representation and assistance to help them navigate the legal and migration pathways of the US

immigration system. Taking into account journey to the US can be filled with peril, support

systems can include services such as mental health support, especially for those in detention

centers. Education can also be provided for those whose claims are accepted and this is to ensure

a smooth integration and increased acceptance into the mainstream society. In addition to this,

interventions or solutions can also target the mainstream society. These solutions can take the

form of a comprehensive immigration reform whose aim is to improve and streamline the legal
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pathways, border security, and processing of claims, and also address the root causes of the high

number of immigrants from countries in the southern and central region (Simhoni, 2022). Such

interventions can take the form of policy reform, that target to ensure that immigrant data is

easily captured and screening is fast and efficient using digital systems. Such data can help in the

processing of legitimate asylum claims, hence making the process more efficient. In addition, the

US can improve the hearing of immigration cases by increasing the number of court judges and

this will help clear the backlog while ensuring that processing of claims is faster. This can go a

long way in decongesting detention centers, and relieving such pressure can result in the

improvement of the living conditions in these centers. Addressing root causes can take the form

of geopolitical collaborations, where collective efforts target to improve political stability and the

socioeconomic conditions of these countries including addressing poverty and creating more

opportunities. These can be achieved through international cooperation and funding.

To sum it up, the history of immigration dates back hundreds of years, and based on

literature, its landscape today was shaped by previous policies such as the Immigration and

Nationality Act of 1965. In addition, immigration, especially at the US southern border is a

delicate issue that is intertwined with other issues and dynamics such as human rights, border

security, geopolitical, and also socio-economic dynamics. As a result, this issue requires a

multifaceted approach that not only addresses this issue from the immigrant’s lens but also from

the lens of border security and the broader benefits of society. Taking into account that

immigrant communities and the broader society are impacted, sustainable policies are required,

where solutions will not only be implemented at the individual level but also traverse

individuality to address this issue at the societal level.

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References

Chin, G. J., & Villazor, R. C. (Eds.). (2015). The Immigration and Nationality Act of 1965:

legislating a new America. Cambridge University Press.

Digital History. (n.d.). America in Ferment: The Tumultuous 1960s. Retrieved November 20,

2023, from https://www.digitalhistory.uh.edu/disp_textbook_print.cfm?

smtid=2&psid=3347

Douglas, P., Cetron, M., & Spiegel, P. (2019). Definitions matter: migrants, immigrants, asylum

seekers and refugees. Journal of travel medicine, 26(2), taz005.

Isacson, A. (2023, September 23). Weekly U.S.-Mexico Border Update: Migration rises. WOLA.

Retrieved November 20, 2023, from https://www.wola.org/2023/09/weekly-u-s-mexico-

border-update-migration-rises-darien-gap-data-house-republicans-budget/#:~:text=These

%20numbers%20represent%20a%2015,month%20before%20Title%2042%20ended.

Simhoni, S. (2022, October 26). Taking migration seriously: Real solutions to complex

challenges at the border. Center for American Progress.

https://www.americanprogress.org/article/taking-migration-seriously-real-solutions-to-

complex-challenges-at-the-border/

Statista. (2023, November 3). U.S. border crossing encounters 1990-2022 |. Retrieved

November 20, 2023, from https://www.statista.com/statistics/329256/alien-

apprehensions-registered-by-the-us-border-patrol/#:~:text=In%20the%20fiscal%20year

%20of,were%201%2C662%2C167%20registered%20alien%20apprehensions.

The Library of Congress. (n.d.). Immigration to the United States 1851-1900. Retrieved

November 20, 2023, from https://www.loc.gov/classroom-materials/united-states-history-

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primary-source-timeline/rise-of-industrial-america-1876-1900/immigration-to-united-

states-1851-1900/

Ulrich, M. R., & Crosby, S. S. (2022). 42, asylum, and politicising public health. The Lancet

Regional Health–Americas, 7.