Open Letter by Laura Moorhead

During this course, I have learned many things that have changed my perception on migration issues.  There is a common misperception in America that most of the world is jealous of the American life and everybody wants to live here.  This is just not true.  This last semester I have met people and read interviews of people who have migrated here in the past thirty years.  These migrants pointed out that they would have preferred not to leave but could not provide for their families or were in fear of their lives in their own countries.  Whether they are migrants or refugees, leaving their homeland is often the last option these people have at having a better life, even if is means leaving their families and often endangering their lives.  Would you risk your life unless it was absolutely necessary?  Migration is a hot topic here in Arizona because we share the border with Mexico, however these same migration trends and concerns exist all over the world. Migration trends are not random but follow patterns.  There is a connection between sending and receiving countries (trade agreements, military alliances, etc.) often with immigrants following their countries wealth from countries of poor economic standing to the first world.  As we see here in Arizona, immigrants all over the world arrive to these new places to experience prejudices and unfair treatment by the government and in their work places.  Although they are treated harshly, it better than what they faced at home.  I believe that opening the borders to anyone is not the solution to this problem, but rather we must focus on fixing the source of these migration issues and become more understanding of those who have made the difficult decision to start their lives over in a new place. 

 

 

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