Has building a fence along the US Mexico border help fight illegal immigration - Term Paper Example

?Running Head: US Mexico Border & Illegal Immigration US Mexico Border & Illegal Immigration [Institute’s US Mexico Border & Illegal Immigration "Has building a fence along the US Mexico border help fight illegal immigration?" Since centuries, immigration has remained one of the most important issues legally, as well as politically due to the division of globe into developed and developing countries that inclines huge waves of people to emigrate from one place to another for their brighter future. However, in this process, it has been an observation that besides emigrating legally, documented evidence1 has indicated numerous occasions when huge number of people has crossed borders illegally due to various reasons, which has resulted in the notion of illegal immigration. In particular, every country confronts the issue of illegal immigration; however, statistics have indicated that USA-Mexico border is the platform that witnesses highest number of illegal crossings of the border in comparison to other parts of the globe, which results in various adverse outcomes. For instance, experts have indicated that illegal immigration causes many unfavorable effects on USA, and although many individuals and families cross US-Mexico border with no intention of carrying out criminal activities and purely for their brighter future, still, their illegal crossing causes impact on economy and social order of the USA2. Since many years, USA has been putting efforts to reduce and eliminate activities of the illegal immigration on the US-Mexico border, and that has been putting a huge burden on the US government’s spending, still, thousands of people cross this border annually. In the result, US Congress and immigration experts came up with the idea of building a high-tech fence along the US-Mexico border, which has already resulted in huge debate and the idea has received mixed responses. The basic plan is to build “a 2,000-mile fence along the US-Mexico border and this has been the proposal of Duncan Hunter, the Chairman of the House Armed Services Committee”3. In order to understand whether this fence will be helpful in fighting illegal immigration, it is very imperative to understand what it will look like. In this regard, reports have indicated that it will be a combination of “barbed wire, powerful wire fences, high-technological sensors, and a path for border patrol vehicles, CCTV cameras, and movement detectors”4. As of the year 2010, the US government was successful in building approximately 640 miles of this 2,000-miles fence, and the construction is still in process. Building of such a high-tech complicated wall/fence seems very effective in curbing illegal immigration; however, this is not as simple as it looks, and various factors play a crucial role that will allow us to understand the different effects of US-Mexico border fence. In brief, analysis has shown that construction of this fence has resulted in significant reduction in the rate of illegal immigrants. For instance, San Diego was first location for construction of pilot project of this fence, and it was a 14-mile fence in the California district5. Reports indicate that the project showed successful results as the number of illegal immigrants dropped from “202,000 in the year 1992 to only nine thousand in the year 2004”6 that indicates the effective outcomes of this fence. On the other hand, experts have indicated that although location of the fences has reduced the activities of illegal immigration; however, locations at the end of fence has become a platform for individuals and cartels to carry out the activities of illegal immigration in more organized manner that has been a new problem due to this fence. Furthermore, in order to respond to this construction of fence, there seem two major arguments. Firstly, it has been an understanding that although the fences have been successful in restricting the illegal immigrants; however, the construction of fence has caused uneasiness and apprehension on both sides of the border. It is a fact that families and villages have social and cultural ties with each other alongside the border7; however, building of this fence or as many experts say Great Wall of Mexico seems to be playing the role that the Berlin Wall played decades ago. In brief, everyone is aware of the social, emotional, and cultural impact that the Berlin Wall left on minds and hearts of German people. In this regard, when looking from the lens of human rights, the construction seems to be portraying a negative image of the USA, and this will be more understandable from the words of Mexican President, “It is deplorable to go ahead with this decision of the wall at the border...The wall will not solve any problem. Humanity made a huge mistake by building the Berlin Wall and I believe that today, the United States is committing a grave error in building the wall on our border. It is much more useful to solve common problems and foster prosperity in both countries”8. Abovementioned statement of the Mexican President truly shows the gap that the fence has created, and it is continuing between the countries that hold political, social, and cultural ties with each other since centuries. In this regard, it will appropriate to state that the fence may give positive outcomes on its location; however, it will be encouraging social and cultural apprehension on both sides that might be harmful and cause adverse outcomes in the form of any other issues. Besides this social aspect, analysis has indicated that construction of this border has resulted in significant reduction in values of the property alongside the fence that is causing public hostility. In addition, a huge percent of location along the border has been under utilization of farmers9 since a long time; however, construction of fences has created several issues for them, which is another adverse aspect of US-Mexico border fence, and such adversity may promote a greater amount of uneasiness and anxiety that will be damaging for the US government. However, statistics of the Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS)10 specify that the US Border Patrols grab illegal immigrants in thousands on annual basis. Interestingly, this number only includes individuals that are unable to cross the border successfully, and not the immigrants who would have made successful attempts illegally. Consequently, reports have shown that these illegal immigrants have been the reason of many economic and social issues in the USA, and thus, while looking from this aspect, US-Mexico border fence seems an effective solution to fight against the illegal immigration. As the President of the USA stated in the year 2006, “I'm pleased that you all are here to witness the signature of the Secure Fence Act of 2006. This bill will help protect the American people. This bill will make our borders more secure. It is an important step toward immigration reform...The bill authorizes the construction of hundreds of miles of additional fencing along our southern border...We're modernizing the southern border of the United States so we can assure the American people we're doing our job of securing the border. By making wise use of physical barriers and deploying 21st century technology, we're helping our Border Patrol agents do their job”11. Abovementioned statement of President George Bush clearly indicates perception of the US government while deciding to construct the fence; however, it will be very important to understand whether this fence will eliminate the issue of illegal immigration or it will only alter the nature and form of illegal immigration from illegal border crossing to something else. The basic purpose of Mexicans that come into the US legally or illegally is to ensure acquisition of better job and better living conditions. Some arrive in the country legally; however, many enter the USA illegally with the same intention. Either way, the USA benefits from these migrants in the form of greater workforce, and consequently, better economy. Thus, few experts argue that building fence would be limiting the access of illegal immigrants into the country; however, this will not be effective for US economy, as the USA needs more migrants who may work and contribute in the growth and development of the economy. Moreover, there have been arguments on the enforcement-only policies related to immigration in the USA, as evidence has shown that in the past, security-related constructions have not resulted in effective or positive outcomes, and conversely, they have made issues worse. One of the examples is increment in the budget and activities of Border Patrol of USA; however, while looking at statistics of illegal immigration of the whole country, the figures have doubled during the past two decades. This calls for an understanding that building of US-Mexico border fence may not be as effective as it seems, and it will only open new avenues for cartels and individuals interested in illegal immigration. For instance, Rick Perry, the Republican Governor of Texas stated, “We need those individuals to continue to grow our economy. If you show up illegally, without your card or you're here as a criminal element, I'm for throwing the book at those folks, but the issue of people who want to legally, thoughtfully and appropriately come to America to work and help us build our economy. We should quickly come up with a program and an identification card to do that. We know how to deal with border security, and you don't do it by building a fence”12. This statement clearly disowns the decision of building a fence; however, there have been many responses to this perspective where experts argue that although immigrants contribute to the US economy. However, these immigrants usually take jobs at a lower rate to survive in the US competitive environment that creates problems for US citizens to acquire jobs and that causes anger and hatred for immigrants in the minds of citizens, which can be very detrimental for social order of the country. In addition, resentment is only the first level that gradually turns into a harmful emotion with the amalgamation of cultural and ethnic differences. In other words, all the factors merge to promote violence and crime in the country. Clearly, above discussed is one of the major arguments that inclined the US government to build this long fence alongside the US-Mexico border. In order to discuss the impact of construction of fence along the US-Mexico border further, the paper will now include an example. One of the areas where this fence exists is between San Diego of the USA and Tijuana of Mexico. Before construction of the fence, the area was under dominance of illegal immigrants, and consequently, the crime rate was very high. However, after decision of the fence, there has been a reduction in criminal activities on the USA side, and authorities are optimistic to ensure peace within few years, which once again indicates the impact of fence on law and order situation of the country. Moreover, it has been an observation13 that illegal immigration has not remained limited to humans only; illegal drug trade has been one of the most prominent aspects of illegal immigration, a source for cartels to carry out illegal and criminal activities in the USA, as well as in Mexico. Particularly, the Mexico has become a haven for drug traders, and that has influenced the areas near the US-Mexico border significantly. However, this 2000-miles fence’s plan has certainly affected stakeholders of this billion-dollar drug industry. Nevertheless, experts believe that although people involved in this drug industry are illiterate and casual but they have been successful in creating a professional and organized industry, and no one can deny the involvement of corrupt US officials that facilitate these drug traders either for money or from fear. Thus, there has been an argument that building of this fence will only require these cartels to reorganize and restructure their routes, and after the construction, the illegal immigration will take a more organized form, which will be more harmful than the earlier one. Contrary to earlier argument, Commissioner of U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Ralph Basham stated, “Fences are an important part of our border security strategy because fences help Border Patrol agents on the ground have a tactical advantage over the smugglers on the southern side of the border. Certainly, in urban settings such as El Paso, Texas and San Diego, California, fences have proven to be quite effective in stemming the flow of illegal entry. The goal is to detect intrusions, rapidly respond, and resolve the situation by apprehension; and fences are a key component to that strategy”14. From the abovementioned purpose of the US government regarding the US-Mexico Border fence, somehow, it is an understanding that before its construction, USA was confronting huge number of adverse effects in the form of illegal drug trade, criminal activities, human trafficking, burden on US economy due to no tax-paying by illegal immigrants, and importantly, detestation from US citizens. For all these reasons, an open border with the Mexico seems very detrimental15. However, closing it down with fence will cause new issues and problems but it will be a challenge, as well as an opportunity for the US government to deal and resolve them in an efficient manner while considering social and cultural ties of people of both countries. Even now, when the construction has not reached to its half completion stage, the positive effects are visible, at least on the U.S. side, and it will require few efforts to ensure the same at the other side of the border, as it will be essential for peace of the USA. Furthermore, it is anticipation that this fence will enable the government to provide more employment opportunities to the US citizens that have been criticizing the government due to worsened economic conditions and increment in unemployment rate of the country. It is too soon to conclude whether the fence has been effective in reducing illegal immigration. Still, from a strategic point of view, analysis and discussion indicates that there has been fulfillment of one of the objectives of American national security as the fence along with high technological tools will surely facilitate border patrol authorities to reduce the activities of illegal immigration from the Mexico. However, on the other hand, history16 gives us many examples of such barriers that focused on eliminating negative aspects of the issue but resulted in contrary outcomes. The French Maginot Line, the Berlin Wall, and the Great Wall of China are such examples that have tested the nations, and caused several adverse results. In this regard, there is no doubt, that this 2000-miles fence along the US-Mexico border will test the courage and patience of both Americans, as well as Mexicans, and the time will be the best way to identify the major result. However, a fence of this complex form will surely spread a wave of hostility and discouragement to the other countries, especially the Mexico, and consequently, it might be detrimental for the USA on economic basis, and it might be constructive for the US economy. The major justification is that the initial cost estimation of this 2000-mile fence is approximately four to eight billion dollars, and only the California has to spend around ten billion dollars on the expenses of illegal immigrations. From this calculation, it seems that the fence will be very cheap when it comes to cost, and it is anticipation that it will be causing positive outcomes for the country. References Arreola, Daniel D. 1996. “Border-City Idee Fixe.” Geographical Review, Volume 86, Issue 3, pp. 356-369. Espenshade, Thomas J. 1995. “Unauthorized Immigration to the United States.” Annual Review of Sociology. Volume 21, pp. 195-216. Gallegos, Gabriela A. 2004. “Redefining the National Interest in U.S.-Mexico Immigration and Trade Policy.” California Law Review. Volume 92, Issue 6, pp. 1729-1778. Huffman, W. E. and Torok, S. J. 1986. “U.S.-Mexican Trade in Winter Vegetables and Illegal Immigration.” American Journal of Agricultural Economics. Vol. 68, Issue 2, pp. 246-260. Jerrett, Michael, Rey, Sergio J., Dufournaud, Christian and Jones, Deborah. 2003. “Accounting for the Environmental "Bottom Line" along the U.S.-Mexico Border.” Annals of the Association of American Geographers. Volume 93, Issue 1, pp. 67-88. Massey, Douglas S. 2005. “Beyond the Border Buildup: Towards a New Approach to Mexico-U.S. Migration.” Immigration Policy IN FOCUS. Volume 4, Issue 7. Retrieved on October 11, 2011: www.ailf.org/ipc/policy_reports_2005_beyondborder.htm ProCon.org. 2009. Is a fence along the US Mexico Border a good solution to illegal immigration? Retrieved on October 11, 2011: http://immigration.procon.org/view.answers.php?questionID=000778 Tuman, John P., and Neeley, Grant W. 2003. “Explaining Attitudes toward Binational Cooperation among Texas Municipal Managers in the U.S.-Mexico Border Area.” Public Performance & Management Review. Volume 27, Issue 1, pp. 88-97. Werner, Erica. 2005. “Hunter to propose fencing U.S.-Mexico border.” Associated Press. Retrieved on October 11, 2011: www.signonsandiego.com/news/state/20051102-1526-ca-borderfence.html Read More