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# Why Do They Risk Their Lives to Come Here?
June 25 2018
Written by Beth Cone Kramer.
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BCK FILE--Since 2015, Donald Trump has used explosive rhetoric to promote his “border wall” and has demonized people from Mexico and Central America.
Most recently, his administration had instituted a policy of separating children from their parents. After much backlash, including from his own party, he issued a photo-opp executive order to end the practice. But on Sunday, the President of the United States, once considered the Leader of the Free World, was firing off a dangerous tweet.
“We cannot allow all of these people to invade our Country. When somebody comes in, we must immediately, with no Judges or Court Cases (sic) bring them back from where they came. Our system is a mockery to good immigration policy and Law and Order. Most children come without parents.” -- Donald J. Trump, @realDonaldTrump
Fear and hatred can be the most powerful of motivators. Unscrupulous leaders have often used scapegoating to rile up support from followers and Trump is no different. One way to defend against this dehumanizing that opens the door to vile discrimination and inhumane policies is to reveal the truth.
Throughout history, immigrants have arrived in the United States to escape political strife, insecurity, violence, and economic conditions in their own countries, from the influx of Chinese workers during the Gold Rush to those escaping war-torn countries such as Armenia, Iran, or postwar Vietnam. Due to its proximity to the border, the agricultural industry has long relied on migrant workers from Mexico.
Perhaps ironically, the bias against Eastern and Southern European immigrants, as well as Asian immigrants, that was prominent during the 19th and early 20th centuries that led to quotas such as the Immigration Act of 1924 excluded immigrants from the western hemisphere, including Mexico. These immigrants were considered hard-working and were not seen as a threat to American society. They were also not considered likely to take up permanent residence.
Since 2000, the number of immigrants to the United States has been in decline; that statistic includes undocumented immigrants. The net migration from Mexico is currently around or below zero, according to the Pew Research Institute. Undocumented immigrants currently comprise 3.5% of the United States population.
According to the Center for Migration Studies, two-thirds of undocumented immigrants entered on a valid visa but have overstayed the terms of their visas. None of these people had evaded authorities at the border and the number of overstays surpasses those who cross at the border.
Approximately 60 percent of undocumented immigrants have lived in the U.S. for at least 10 years, according to the nonpartisan Migration Policy Institute and 30 percent own homes. These immigrants start businesses, contribute to the economy, and pay taxes.
Numerous studies tracking crime among undocumented vs native-born citizens have concluded undocumented immigrants were significantly less likely to commit homicide, sexual assault, and other crimes.
Today’s immigrants come here for the same reasons our grandparents or great-grandparents did, for increased opportunity for themselves and their families. It’s easy to scapegoat immigrants as gang members or women who come here to have anchor babies and take public services or jobs away from U.S. citizens but study after study shows that these charges by the president are false. It is unacceptable to base public policy on lies and scapegoating to elicit fear and to excuse racism.
*(Beth Cone Kramer is a professional writer living in the Los Angeles area. She covers Resistance Watch and other major issues for CityWatch.)*
-cw
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