BORDER SECURITY ISSUES RESEARCH PROJECT # 3 - Essay Example

Law Argentina’s Immigration Policy with the United s Migration policies of developed countries are often viewed as model policies that incorporate diversity of immigrants, while at the same time addressing a country’s economic needs (Torre & Mendoza, 2007). However, there are less developed countries that have in recent years developed more humane and equitable immigration policies. Argentina is an excellent example. Given that it is in South America where there is high emigration of people to settle in the USA and in other developed countries, Argentina has established a migration policy that is attractive and humane to immigrants.

Argentina’s immigration policy supports migration of permanent immigrants, temporary immigrants and people on transit to other countries. The immigration policy borrows heavily from the Patria Grande plan which allows registration and work permit issue to citizens from the Mercosur countries. Mercosur countries are mostly in South America who partner with states in the Southern Common Market (Mercosur) such as Brazil, Bolivia, Chile, Uruguay and Venezuela. In addition the Argentinean immigration policy addresses several issues that affect immigrants by ensuring protection of basic rights of all immigrants (Hines, 2010).

The immigration policy has thus attracted immigrants from many underdeveloped South American countries who come to Argentina to seek jobs in industries.Argentina’s immigration policy has traditionally encouraged European immigration (Organization of American States, 2012). This is evident in the Argentinean constitution which shows that there is a desire to promote the migration of people from European states. In addition it is also attributed to the country’s history of European immigration to the country at the end of the 19th century.

  Critics have however argued that this is a rhetoric that promotes preferential treatment to immigrants from European countries. However, various other legislations to promote equitable treatment of immigrants have been enacted.Over the years there have been several cases of people migrating to Argentina from the U.S. Reasons for immigration from America to Argentina include: immigration to work on professional jobs, settling of Argentine Americans in their ancestors’ country of origin and the settling tourists who want to be citizens in Argentina.

Argentina’s immigration policy for migrants from the United States is not very restrictive as compared to the America’s policy for immigrants from Argentina (Hine, 2010). However, due to the restrictions that the United States has imposed on immigrants from Argentina and other South American countries, Argentina has also put several restrictions to U.S. immigrants. According to Organization of American States (2012) there are many emigrants that reside in Argentina from Europe than there are from United States.

This is in contradiction to the first provision in the Argentinean immigration policy which recognizes immigration as a human right (Hines, 2010). The provision subsequently states that Argentina shall guarantee the right to immigrants under the principles of equality and universality.High visa charges is one of the measures the Argentina immigration policy has adopted for U.S. immigrants. This is because the two countries do not have a bilateral agreement on immigration (Torre & Mendoza, 2007).

Another restriction for U.S. immigrants has been on areas where the immigrants can settle. The policy has restricted settlement of U.S. immigrants to urban areas only except for those working in non-governmental organizations based in rural areas.The Argentinean immigration policy is one of the best immigration policies in the world. The policy was well intended to protect human rights of immigrants but has many contradictions. Thus, the policy requires a review to remove any contradictory clauses.

ReferencesHines, B. (January 01, 2010). The right to migrate as a human right: The current Argentine immigration law. Cornell International Law Journal, 433, 471-511.Organization of American States. (2012). International migration in the Americas: SICREMI. Department of Social Development and Employment, v-xiii. Torre, A., & Mendoza, J. (2007). The Modern American. Immigration Policy and Immigration Flows: A Comparative Analysis of Immigration Law in the U.S. and Argentina, Volume 3 (Issue 2), 46-52.