Short Essay-Case Study

In the article titled "Dying to Work" in the  there is an excellent quote given by Rep. Kolbe says, “There are no two countries in the world that share a border where the economic disparities are greater than between the U.S. and Mexico.” (AZ Republic, 2002)  My paper draws on the information from the “Worldwide Refugee Information: Country Report: Mexico” written in 2000 and the article titled “Dying to Work: The Arizona Republic” written in 2001.  Both of these articles give numerous information about the Mexican Immigrants and refugees.  I am focusing on the illegal Mexican immigrants as well as refugees that enter the U.S. through refugee status, because living in Arizona, there are many immigrants and refugees from Mexico that we see walking down the street.  They are trying to come across the boarder to the United States.  These immigrants and refugees come in search for a better life, not only for themselves, but for their families as well.  Mexico is full of poverty and trying to find a good paying job in Mexico is slim to none.  People depend on their family members that come across to the United States to support them.  In this paper I will compare and contrast these two articles, trying to give you a better scope of how difficult things are for refugees and illegal immigrants that come to the U.S. from Mexico, in search for hope..

            According to the USCR (U.S. Committee for Refugees) (2002), by the end of 2001, there were approximately 6,200 refugees or asylum seekers in need of protection from Mexico, and 142 were actually granted asylum during that year.   This means that many of those refugees that were not granted asylum, had to come across to the United States illegally.  According to the Arizona Republic in the article "Dying to Work" (2003), Arizona is the main channel, with nearly half of all the border arrests taking place here last year.  Although the USCR tries to help all the people that they possibly can, it would be impossible for them to help all the refugees that are currently in Mexico.  USCR (2002) quoted that there were 432 asylum seekers filed in Mexico, which is an increase of over 50 percent from 2002.  As Mexico remains to day to continue to be a poverty stricken country, the percentage rate will continue to increase, as will the illegal immigrants that cross the border each day to search for hope, because they are unable to obtain refugee status.

            For illegal immigrants, it is very dangerous for them to come across.  They are risking their lives and their families’ lives in search for work.  In the deserts that they cross are robbers, murders, no water and no food.  The AZ Republic (2003) estimated that in a year’s time, approximately one million people will get caught trying to sneak illegally into the U.S., and over 1000 will die.  According to the USCR (2002), in July, Mexico began a campaign to amplify the immigration enforcement at the southern border.  The called their campaign “Plan Sur”, and it was aimed at stopping numerous illegal immigrants from stepping foot into the U.S.  After September 11, hundreds more were deployed to watch the border from illegal immigrants.  Also, The INS has the border wired with high-tech gizmos and practically 10,000 agents to slash the stream of illegal immigrants into the U.S. (Arizona Republic, 2003). 

            Although the INS and Mexico are trying to do what they believe is in the best interest of the U.S., I wonder if they stop to think about what is in the best interests of Mexican residents and the ones that risk their lives coming here.  The AZ Republic (2003) asked 2 illegal immigrants why they came to the U.S.  Maria stated that for her, there was no border for her; she had to come here for her family, because they have to eat.  Manual goes even further to state that people who live in this country legally look down on those who come here illegally.  Yet, if they were in his shoes, and their family was poor, what would they do?  He states that there just is no work available in Mexico.  Although the USCR tries to get to all the refugees that they possibly can, they only have the man power to help so many.  Which is why so many people from Mexico feel they have to other option, but to enter the U.S. illegally.

            It is true that there are some illegal immigrants that come here and commit crimes, yet no matter what race you look at, there will never be a perfect one.  According to what is being said in the AZ Republic (2003), in1998, the INS predicted that there were up to 140,000 foreign-born criminals behind bars in the U.S., and that did not consist of an additional 355,000 who were on parole or were deported.  According to the USCR (2002) Mexico deported more than 130,000 migrants during 2001.  Yet, Mexico and their residents have also helped us in our fight against terrorism.  USCR found that Mexico after September 11, arrested and detained 877 Iraqi Chaldeans who were in Tijuana, who were in the process of filing for asylum into the U.S. Out of those 87 that were arrested, 41 of them were retained in detention in Champeche.  So although there is a possibility that some of the refugees and illegal immigrants that enter the U.S. are criminals, we have to remember that there are an even greater majority that are not.  They are people just like you and me, who want peace in the world.

I firmly believe that by allowing immigrants into the U.S., both the Americans and the Mexican Immigrants will benefit.  A quote by Tom Rex, manager of the Arizona State University Center for Business Research, says a 30-year low in unemployment tells the story: “You have to argue that they aren’t taking any jobs away from American citizens.” (AZ Republic, 2002).  Many immigrants take jobs that many Americans would never dream of having.  Yet, now some Americans are getting jealous, because immigrants come here to work and work hard, and in return make a good living.  Some Americans complain about their office job, stating the immigrants are making to much money.  Yet, if we Americans wanted to hold down three jobs, we would be making a lot of money too.  Also a good question asked by the AZ Republic (2003), “What would happen if all the illegal immigrants were deported tomorrow?”  I’m sure that our economy would be in a uproar and many companies would be out of business.  Therefore, I will end this paper hoping that each of you will reconsider what you think about illegal immigrants and refugees that enter into the U.S.  I firmly believe that the U.S. is what it is, because of immigrants, remember that most our ancestors were once immigrants as well.  Some Americans are giving a double standard to immigrants and refugees, basically believing that is was alright for their ancestors to enter illegally, but nit for others.  I believe that it is time for a change and only we can start that change, by leaving the border open for other immigrants and more refugees to enter and try to make a better life for themselves and their family.

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