I agree with everything in this article, however, I'll add a few points. We must begin any comprehensive border security program by acknowledge some things. First, immigrants—illegal or not—have since before the U.S. was a country, been a key part of our economy and have disproportionally committed fewer crimes than U.S. citizens. Second, those who come here to work do so because there is demand for their services. This demand exists because U.S. citizens do not want to do the labor for the wages offered. If we want to restrict that, then we have to offer (mostly young men) higher wages and institute some type of apprenticeships in some areas (e.g., construction). Third, if the U.S. issues work visas, then we must honor them, provide those laborers due process, and treat them fairly. Lastly, if the U.S. really wants to discourage illegal immigration, then it should prosecute those who employ illegal laborers.
Very well said! Same goes for reducing drug trafficking into the US. Just like immigrants coming here to work do so because they’re in demand, drugs come into the country because they are in demand as well. Widespread investment in comprehensive treatment for substance use disorder, work programs paired with those to offer a real chance at making a life after addiction, and changes to the criminal justice system are the primary factors for reducing drug trafficking. Increased border security without plans like you and I have mentioned looks less like a stable and secure perimeter and more like just importing that afroeurasian war-fighting right into our backyard.
The US border has become a major highway for the exploitation of people, whether that’s businesses with labor practices that fail our citizens and are pawned off to immigrants or criminal networks preying on the sick and downtrodden which our country supplies them with richly. If democratic politicians start campaigning on border security without any accompanying policies, then for every republican vote they pick up there’ll be a democrat vote they lose.
I agree with everything in this article, however, I'll add a few points. We must begin any comprehensive border security program by acknowledge some things. First, immigrants—illegal or not—have since before the U.S. was a country, been a key part of our economy and have disproportionally committed fewer crimes than U.S. citizens. Second, those who come here to work do so because there is demand for their services. This demand exists because U.S. citizens do not want to do the labor for the wages offered. If we want to restrict that, then we have to offer (mostly young men) higher wages and institute some type of apprenticeships in some areas (e.g., construction). Third, if the U.S. issues work visas, then we must honor them, provide those laborers due process, and treat them fairly. Lastly, if the U.S. really wants to discourage illegal immigration, then it should prosecute those who employ illegal laborers.
Very well said! Same goes for reducing drug trafficking into the US. Just like immigrants coming here to work do so because they’re in demand, drugs come into the country because they are in demand as well. Widespread investment in comprehensive treatment for substance use disorder, work programs paired with those to offer a real chance at making a life after addiction, and changes to the criminal justice system are the primary factors for reducing drug trafficking. Increased border security without plans like you and I have mentioned looks less like a stable and secure perimeter and more like just importing that afroeurasian war-fighting right into our backyard.
The US border has become a major highway for the exploitation of people, whether that’s businesses with labor practices that fail our citizens and are pawned off to immigrants or criminal networks preying on the sick and downtrodden which our country supplies them with richly. If democratic politicians start campaigning on border security without any accompanying policies, then for every republican vote they pick up there’ll be a democrat vote they lose.