After finally finding an opportunity to escape persecution, hundreds of migrants arrived in the United States. That is until the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement found them and took them to a hotel in a completely different country where they are being held indefinitely, without proper access to their attorneys helping them file for refugee status. The migrants in Panama are in limbo, waiting for a chance to truly escape their old lives; instead of rebuilding in a country promising salvation, they are being held prisoner either in a hotel or in camps in the dense forest.
Today in the U.S., one of the biggest political topics being debated in our government is immigration. According to the Pew Research Center, as of 2023, the foreign-born population reached a record high of 47.8 million. Though this number is still increasing, there are members of this country and its government attempting to take away the one thing this group was trying to seek in the U.S.— a chance at a better life.
Immediately after being sworn in as president, Donald J. Trump signed 10 executive orders on immigration, according to the Associated Press. These orders were signed to control illegal entry into the U.S., primarily along the Mexico border. This forced millions of migrants and asylum seekers to remain in their home countries while waiting for immigration hearings.
Though some may find the White House’s current policies to be a solution to an ongoing problem, the reality of the issue runs far deeper. This country is overflowing with anti-immigrant rhetoric, and the individuals trying to enter our country have become scapegoats for systemic flaws we have created for ourselves.
The U.S. immigration system is far too limiting and difficult to navigate, so full blame cannot be put on migrants. According to Immigration Help, the current time frame to become a naturalized citizen through an N-400 form (the application form used by permanent residents who hold green cards to apply to become a naturalized U.S. citizen) is 18-24 months. This is only after holding a green card for at least 5 years, which can only be after application and processing that can take from an average of 9-35 months, depending on the case. This timeline is only for those applying for regular citizenship. If an individual is applying for asylum from another country, they must apply within one year of their entry into the U.S. and wait 180 days before receiving an update.
If just reading these details feels overwhelming, imagine how those trying to enter the country feel. The grueling process is extremely stressful and often inaccessible to those coming from less fortunate backgrounds. These people are desperate to gain a reprieve in a new land, often leaving poverty, violence and political instability. Unfortunately, current rhetoric is making legal forms of immigration feel nearly impossible to many.
Attitudes toward immigration are brought to the forefront by those at the very top of our government. President Trump saying “they are eating the dogs… and they are eating the cats” during a presidential debate with Kamala Harris and continually spreading other baseless rumors and stereotypes, is not a solution. Being extremely reactive and sending ICE agents to homes and schools is not a solution. If leaders wanted to reduce illegal immigration, they would create a more accessible legal pathway instead of further restricting it.
Though America’s behavior toward immigration today seems absolutely appalling, it is no different from when we learned about the historical treatment of Irish, Italian and Asian immigrants coming to the U.S. in the 19th and 20th centuries. I remember feeling appalled when learning about the unfair treatment towards these groups when they were coming into work on the railroads or escaping poverty and famine. I also remember many students agreeing with how ridiculous their treatment was. If that is the case, why do some very educated people who supposedly have completed a K-12 education claim these people are “stealing their jobs”? We need to reexamine how we think about our history and remember why we learn the subject at all. This should not be happening again.
There is no concrete evidence that immigrants have been taking away jobs from American citizens. On the contrary, Americans are forcing many of these immigrants into exploitative and low-income forms of labor that do “contribute” to society despite systemic barriers stopping them from receiving what they deserve.
The root problem stopping us from helping immigrants and overall immigration in the U.S. is the loss of the scapegoat that many use to blame for America’s problems. In the last few months, it has become ever more clear that the current government’s motivation for its immigration policies is purely based on economic gain. The “Gold Card” idea came up to simply ensure people who could pay to enter the U.S. would be allowed in, not those who are escaping suffering.
For the overall immigration issues to stop, we must begin seeing immigrants as people, not the stereotypes media and propaganda turn them into. If people were just a bit more empathetic toward those different from them, the U.S. would actually be able to improve. Immigration reform would allow people to take easier paths to a better life and benefit the U.S. economy. This can easily be done by streamlining the now lengthy immigration process, debunking lies about immigrants and providing more support to those trying to enter the country.
By fixing the broken system we currently have and treating immigrants with dignity and respect, the U.S. can actually live true to its ideal of being a beacon of freedom and hope. If Americans question and reconsider their ignorant views and anti-immigrant rhetoric, they will be able to see that the people they are trying to expel aren’t enemies, they are actually humans too.
