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Jorie Langston

Dr. Boyd

Humanities III

28 February 2023

The Immigration Debate

Immigration has become a hot topic in the United States. Many people have different

opinions on whether or not the border should remain open; thus, this debate has become more of

a political dispute than a human rights issue. Immigration is a process for people in need, not a

political discussion for citizens. The harsh reality of being a person immigrating is not as easy as

many people think. According to the National Immigration Forum, “[s]ince 1998, the U.S.

Border Patrol has recorded an average of 364 deaths per year and more than 8,000 total migrant

deaths along the Southwest border.” Furthermore, this information shows how much of a risk

people who emigrate willingly face to escape their home country. Furthermore, immigration

should remain legal, and the border should be easier to access because the government profits off

immigration; immigrants are not raising crime rates or creating a job shortage, and the

immigration debate has become incredibly dehumanizing.

The United States government profits off of immigration by detaining immigrants.

According to Freedom for Immigrants, as of September 2021, over 20,000 immigrants were

being held in nationwide detention centers. These detention centers are private corporations with

government contracts to house and care for immigrants. The longer these immigrants are

detained, the more money the government pays to the corporations, resulting in profits for these
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companies. Additionally, the government charges fees for various aspects of the immigration

process, such as visa applications and naturalization fees. Overall, while the government may

claim to have the best interests of immigrants at heart, the government receives a financial

incentive. In turn, immigration results in profits for both government agencies and private

corporations.

Many believe immigration is causing a job shortage in the United States. Some argue that

immigrants are taking jobs away from native-born Americans. They claim these immigrants are

willing to work for lower wages, increasing American workers’ competition. Additionally, some

think that immigrants increase the overall supply of workers, which can drive down wages and

decrease the likelihood of Americans finding employment (Beck). However, the reality is more

complex than this theory. In recent years, the United States has experienced a labor shortage in

many industries, including hospitality, retail, and healthcare. According to a recent article in

Fortune, the Federal Reserve has been raising interest rates to combat this labor shortage,

indicating that this problem is severe. Rather than causing a job shortage, immigrants often fill

positions that American workers are not interested in or lack the necessary skills. Immigrants

also contribute to the economy by creating new businesses and increasing consumer demand,

which can ultimately lead to job growth. Therefore, while immigration may impact the labor

market, people who immigrate to this country are not the primary cause of the current job

shortage.

Immigration has become a dehumanizing issue in the United States. Many individuals

and families seeking refuge in the country are frequently portrayed as criminals, terrorists, or

invaders, and their humanity is overlooked. The media often perpetuates this narrative by
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publishing images that dehumanize immigrants, such as showing them in handcuffs or cages.

However, some photographers are using their work to humanize the immigration debate. For

example, a New York Times article showcases photographs of immigrants in everyday settings,

such as at home or work, and highlights their stories and aspirations (Estrin). Immigration is not

only a political debate but also a human rights issue. Under the Trump administration, a

zero-tolerance immigration policy was put in place, which resulted in the separation of families

at the border. This policy had disastrous consequences, including the death of a seven-year-old

Guatemalan girl named Jakelin Caal Maquin in Border Patrol custody. In addition, Edgar López,

a Honduran asylum seeker, was murdered after being deported back to Honduras under this

policy (Mora). These examples demonstrate the impact that immigration policies can have on the

lives and well-being of immigrants. Therefore, this country needs to recognize that immigration

is a human rights issue that requires a compassionate and humane response.

In conclusion, the immigration border should remain open because everyone deserves a

chance to live in a free country. Everyone deserves the fundamental human right to seek a better

life and pursue opportunities for oneself and one's family. Shutting the borders and denying

individuals the opportunity to immigrate to a free country violates fundamental human rights.

The United States has a duty as a free country to welcome and embrace those seeking refuge and

a better life; by allowing immigration, the U.S. provides individuals with an opportunity for a

better life and enriches society with diverse cultures and ideas. Therefore, the country must

ensure that immigration policies remain fair and inclusive so everyone can live in a free and

prosperous country.
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Works Cited

Beck, Roy. “The Case Against Immigration.” The Washington Post, WP Company,

https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/style/longterm/books/chap1/againsti.htm.

Accessed 27 February 2023.

“Detention Statistics.” Freedom for Immigrants,

https://www.freedomforimmigrants.org/detention-statistics/. Accessed 27 February

2023.

Estrin, James. “Photographs That Humanize the Immigration Debate.” The New York

Times, 3 Sept. 2018,

https://www.nytimes.com/2018/09/03/lens/photographs-that-humanize-the-immigra

tion-debate.html. Accessed 27 February 2023.

“Explainer: Migrant Deaths at the Border.” National Immigration Forum, 12 Sept. 2022,

https://immigrationforum.org/article/explainer-migrant-deaths-at-the-border/#:~:tex

t=Since%201998%2C%20the%20U.S.%20Border,deaths%20along%20the%20Sou

thwest%20border. Accessed 27 February 2023.

Mora, David, and Emily Green. “An Immigration Raid Sent Him to Guatemala. He Was

Murdered at the Border Trying to Get Home.” Vice, 23 Feb. 2021,

https://www.vice.com/en/article/epd9qk/edgar-lopez-murder-trump-zero-tolerance-i

mmigration-policy. Accessed 27 February 2023.

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Rugaber, Christopher, and The Associated Press. “The Labor Force Is Smaller than You

Think and That Could Be Making the Fed Very Nervous.” Fortune, 12 Dec. 2022,

https://fortune.com/2022/12/12/is-there-a-labor-shortage-federal-reserve-raising-int

erest-rates/. Accessed 27 February 2023.