Jeremy Colley

K. Warner

English 102

March 28, 2011

U.S. / Mexico Border Security: Where Are We Going Wrong?

Introduction

One of the most contentious issues dominating U.S. political thinking has been that of illegal immigration. Since 9/11, these debates main focus has been the U.S. / Mexico Border Security. These debates have gained momentum in the current US economic climate, simply because it touches on three very socially significant issues that affect the day to day lives of ordinary Americans; illegal drugs, counterterrorism, and illegal immigration. More specifically, employment opportunities, criminal elements and the drain on limited resources. Although the Federal Government has recognized the urgent need for enforcement and reform to address these legitimate concerns, the state of Arizona has chosen to take matters into its own hands. So, what prompted Arizona to take such drastic measures? Where is the Federal Government going wrong? How are we are currently handling border security, what has worked, what hasn't, and how can we improve our border security? We need to resolve our differences over immigration reform effectively and quickly because the longer we procrastinate, the more likely a terrorist incident will occur, more jobs of legal citizens will be overtaken and more government money will be redirected towards supporting illegal immigrants. A bold, mature, balanced, sensitive and contemporary approach that challenges current policy, take rhetoric (of bigotry, racism and xenophobia) out of the equation and recognize that it is our right to secure our borders for our fiscal security, social security and most importantly our national security.

Principal Source

The principal source of illegal immigration is neighboring developing countries and the Caribbean, for example 61.5% of illegal immigrants in 2010 were Mexican nationals (DHS Office of Immigrant Statistics). The greatest burden and it seems that the greatest blame lies with the States bordering Mexico (i.e. California, New Mexico, Arizona and Texas). Arizona alone absorbed nearly half a million illegal immigrants in 2010 (DHS Office of Immigrant Statistics), so it was not a surprise when on April 23, 2010, Arizona's Governor Jan Brewer signed into law what is now arguably one of the toughest immigration laws in America (AZ SB1070), one that, in part, allows police officers to ask people to prove they are U.S. citizens when stopped for any violation of a law. This law was signed exactly one month after the tragic and compelling case of Arizona citizen, Robert Krentz who owned a thirty-five-thousand-acre family ranch went out to check the water for his cattle and fencing and was murdered. Prior to this murder, Robert's brother had reported drug smuggling on the ranch, and Border Patrol consequently discovered three hundred pounds of marijuana and arrested eight illegal immigrants (Ankarlo, 189- 283).

Explanation

The Krentz case is not an isolated one, there are many others that tell the suffering of law abiding Americans in border communities. Their lives and lifestyles are at risk because of the flow of illegal immigrants. Not just a few immigrants but an organized mass who are often involved in trafficking of people, drugs and weapons. ...