Background: https://www.nytimes.com/2018/10/26/world/americas/what-is-migrant-caravan-facts-history.html
Trumphttps://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2018/10/25/donald-trump-migrant-caravan-asylum-restrictions-mexico-border/1769320002/
As of today, there are estimated 7,000 people traveling with the caravan (2300 of those are estimated to be children). This number is changing as people are dropping off due to illness or exhaustion, while others are joining as well. The caravan's big number attracts the attention of the Trump administration. The caravan consists of mostly Hondurans hoping to escape violence and poverty in their country, but other Central Americans have joined in smaller numbers as well. The people in the caravan are hoping to seek asylum. Initially, locals did not react positively to the caravan. As the migrants entered Mexico they were pushed back and tear gas was thrown. But now, as the migrants have advanced, they have been receiving more support, with residents preparing food and offering free rides. However, Trump does not have the same reaction. The Trump administration is looking for ways to "restrict or block outright [the caravan's] ability to enter the country" (Jackson). Options include sealing the border and "denying asylum applications based on the so called 'travel ban' of 2017" (Jackson). Trump has threatened to seal the border over Twitter. There is controversy over whether the travel ban is a legitimate exercise of executive power. Additionally, Trump is trying to use the caravan situation to his advantage in the midterm elections, hoping to energize the voters. It is said that if migrants do not have a legitimate reason to stay they will definitely be removed. These threats do not seem to deter migrants from leaving their country and journeying to the United States.
Do you think the Trump administration should seal the border? Why or why not?
There are arguments that the migrants could take refuge in Mexico, but they are still heading for the United States. This raises the question: What are there true motives? Are they just looking for refuge from the violence in their countries or is there another motive?
What do you think should be done to address this situation?
Joshua Ishimoto
ReplyDelete1. I do not think that the Trump administration should seal the borders to the caravan out of concern for upholding our nation's principles of accepting all who wish to seek a better life. That is a crucial part of the American Dream and t think that any administration should be aimed at preventing thousands from entering simply because of their national origin. Not only is that in violation of the Naturalization Act of 1965, but it frankly immoral. President Rump refuses to take up refugees simply because that what constitutes his nativist platform. That's what got him his loyal voting coalition and its what has gotten him to the presidency of the United States.
2. Well, I can imagine that the situation in Mexico is not particularly nice. crime rates have risen in recent years and the quality of life is frankly less than compared to the U.S.. So yes, these refugees do have a motive: to live noticeably better lives. Why should one want to take up residency in Mexico when one could simply enter the United States which is only a short distance away.
3. If I were the President or the head of the Department of Homeland Security or any other agency that deals with immigration I would try to accept the caravan. Of course it would require a lot of bureaucratic leverage an work to register and assess the situation of all these individuals, but I think that if we really put sufficient effort and funding to do so then we could take in these refugees. After-all, it would say a lot about us to other nations if we turned away thousands of refugees probably only on their nation of origin. But of course, that is what Trump refuses to acknowledge.
Clara Kennedy
ReplyDelete1. I do not think that the Trump administration should seal the borders. First of all, the United States a place where people are supposed to be accepted regardless of background or situation. By denying assistance to those in need would go against the nation's principle. Additionally, the decision to seal the borders would effectively send a global message that the United States only cares about the well being of itself, not the world as a whole.
2. I believe that these migrants are seeking opportunity. The United States has long been a place for immigrants seeking to create a better life for themselves. Staying in Mexico, while certainly an option, is not as appealing of a choice as moving to the United States for these migrants. Their motive is to find safety and opportunity, and for most, that constitutes trying to take up residency in the United States.
3. In my opinion, instead of attempting to prevent the entrance of the caravan, I would recommend beginning preparations to accommodate the caravan and help them integrate into society. By reaching out to organizations that help to provide relief to those seeking asylum, the government could put a strong effort into aiding these people rather than broadcasting to the world that the United States is selfish.
1. If Trump were to seal the border, immigrants will find other ways to get in the United States. Therefore, it is just a waste of power and resources to try to build a wall. Also, there is so much land between Mexico and the United States, so it will be hard to build a wall. It also does not make sense because who will pay for it?
ReplyDelete2. The migrants want to escape a dangerous situation or war in their country. Their countries´ governments are not doing much to help the common wealth. They just want a better life and to escape powverty and violence. Most of them do not want to cause violence or terrorism in our country, just want to have a better life.
3. I think we should be more accepting of the caravan, but it is also is difficult to accept too many migrants because of population control. It could set a precedent for other migrants to come in as well which is why it is difficult to know what to do in this situation.
1) I do not think that we should seal the border. This is because non the migrants are doing anything wrong in coming to the United States to apply for asylum. Since they plan to apply, there is nothing that the soldiers will be able to do to stop them from crossing there fore it is a complete waste of effort and the tax payer's dollars.
ReplyDelete2) Obviously there is motive elsewhere. Migrants have stated that they are fleeing form violence for a better life, thus meaning that they plan to go all the way to the US rather than wait in Mexico. They have just come from a life of complete poverty surrounded by gangs and Mexico also has many dangerous cartels and gangs. Thus they will not feel safe until they reach the US.
3) I think we should set up camps on the border to process all the migrants. This will help to allow the government to keep track of all the illegals and process their claims to asylum.
The Trump administration should seal not the border because these immigrants are seeking legal entrance into the US by applying for asylum. The US has had a bad history of refusing asylum to the groups who needed it most, and immigrants contribute to the American economy in very significant ways.
ReplyDeleteThey just looking for refuge from the violence in their countries and to create a better life for themselves and their children. Since they have already made such a great trek to reach this far north, it makes sense that they would apply to live in the US, as the US is known as the land of opportunity.
Instead of sending troops to the border, lawyers, translators, and immigration agents should be sent to the border to assist the asylum seekers in entering the United States legally.
1. I do not think the Trump administration should seal the border. The migrant caravan should be allowed to seek asylum in the US, and it would be bad both publicly and morally if the US turned away people who wanted to apply for asylum.
ReplyDelete2. There is another motive besides just fleeing the violence in their home countries. Many people emigrate to America because they are looking for a better life, and they believe that America can provide that for them. The immigrants seem to think that settling in Mexico would not ensure them the quality of life that they would receive in America.
3. The US government should not send troops to the border. Immigration agents should be sent to the border to help process the migrant caravan and help them legally apply for asylum.
1. Do you think the Trump administration should seal the border? Why or why not?
ReplyDeleteI do not think so because immigrants will still find a way to enter. This would cost a lot of money and time and is simply not worth it.
2.There are arguments that the migrants could take refuge in Mexico, but they are still heading for the United States. This raises the question: What are there true motives? Are they just looking for refuge from the violence in their countries or is there another motive?
Their true motives are for better opportunities and simply just a better life. America has better job opportunities with high pays and better living situations.
3. What do you think should be done to address this situation?
I think that they should not actually send the troops to be boarder. Instead, immigration agents and people that can help the process of entering legal should be sent to the boarder.
-tovia sobel
Delete1. I do not think that trump should seal the border. Sealing the border may cause these immigrants who want to come into the US legally try to come in illegally.
ReplyDelete2. They are looking for a place where they can lead and a better life and for many of them the answer is America. They have probably heard that America had job opportunities and better living conditions so they want to make a better life for themselves here.
3. I think that immigration agents should be sent to the border to try to help the immigrants enter the US legally.
Do you think the Trump administration should seal the border? Why or why not?
ReplyDeleteI do not think the Trump administration should seal the border because we are better than that. These people who are in need need help and we aren't helping them. That's going to make them cross the border illegally.
There are arguments that the migrants could take refuge in Mexico, but they are still heading for the United States. This raises the question: What are there true motives? Are they just looking for refuge from the violence in their countries or is there another motive? I do believe that they are looking for refuge from the violence in their countries. Why would they leave their countries knowing that there was a chance they would be turned down by the time they got to the border. They potentially could've faced dangers from Mexican cartels.
What do you think should be done to address this situation?
I think that we should open up our borders to more immigrants, I believe that our country could reposition itself as a new leader by allowing these immigrants to come to the country as a refuge. That's how the US got its image in the first place.