Those who call for true immigration reform – one that prioritizes American interests – are often castigated as “racist” and “xenophobic.” Although these attacks are intellectually dishonest, it is important to not provide fuel for their accusations. There are plenty of economic and political reasons to decrease immigration levels.
Immigration hawks should not resort to attacking immigrants themselves, many of whom are simply taking advantage of the policies put in place by the ruling class. Roy Beck, the Founder and President of Numbers USA (a group that advocates for lower immigration levels) said, “If you get angry about the problems that we show are a result of immigration policies, don’t get angry at immigrants but at the government officials who are responsible for the policies.”
Politicians and their special interest donors deserve scorn for the consequences of unrestricted immigration. Conservatives are quick to blame Democrats, but Republicans are also culpable. In 1986, President Reagan signed the Immigration Reform and Control Act (IRCA) into law. It was posited as the final solution to illegal immigration. Ironically, it ended up exacerbating the problem. The IRCA gave amnesty to almost 3 million illegal immigrants.
By 2007, the illegal immigrant population had skyrocketed to 12.2 million. Any restrictions, like employer sanctions, were rendered nonexistent under President Clinton. In the 1990s, libertarian-leaning Republicans fought against reducing legal immigration and implementing a worker identification system.
The Bush administration supported the McCain-Kennedy Secure America and Orderly Immigration Act which included amnesty but was touted as “comprehensive immigration reform.” Numbers USA was instrumental in defeating the bill by influencing members of Congress. However, Numbers USA is overpowered by the myriad of billionaires, corporations, organizations, and think tanks that lobby for open borders.
The current border crisis is a result of decades of liberalized immigration policies. Now, it is being worsened by the Biden administration. The President of Mexico, Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, claimed that President Biden’s immigration policies were the main cause of the surge of illegal immigration. Obrador stated that “expectations were created that with the government of Biden there would be a better treatment of migrants. And this has caused Central American migrants, and also from our country, wanting to cross the border thinking that it is easier to do so.”
Biden has reversed many of Trump’s border policies. He ended a 2018 “zero tolerance” policy that prosecuted illegal border crossings. He halted the construction of Trump’s US-Mexico border wall. President Biden also ended the “Remain in Mexico” policy that required Central Americans to remain in Mexico when awaiting an asylum decision.
Mexican drug cartels and human traffickers have taken advantage of our unprotected borders. Impoverished Latin Americans send their children to the United States. Human traffickers pretend to be the guardians of them to enter the US. In March 2021, a record 18,890 unaccompanied minors illegally crossed the US-Mexico border.
According to journalist Lara Logan, US Customs and Border Protection agents are feeling pressured to “get people through as quickly as possible.” She attributed this to policy changes such as the elimination of DNA testing to confirm that adults and children are related.
Republicans have taken weak stances on immigration and the border. This is because of corporate lobbying and fear of being labeled a bigot. Those responding to such viewpoints should never resort to racism or hatred of immigrants and refugees. Whether they be from Latin America or Afghanistan, most if not all immigrants come with good intentions and to seek a better life. They are not the ones to blame for the consequences of mass migration. The iron triangle of lobbyists, corporations, and incompetent politicians are the culprits deserving of the American people’s derision.
Erin Van Natta
Erin is a college junior pursuing journalism and writing. She enjoys reading, art, and listening to podcasts about politics. She can be found walking her golden retriever, Gus.
The views expressed in this article are the opinion of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Lone Conservative staff.
@ErinV1776
