The Other Face of Immigration

The U.S. has benefited from immigration to develop its economy.

History has been influenced by the migratory movements of people. The impact of immigration on the United States, throughout its history, is evident, from with its conquering and colonization by the British Empire to the European exoduses during the World Wars. Apart from the ‘60s, the largest flow now comes from Latin America, a process that began with the Cuban population, was later surpassed by Mexicans and is now more concentrated in Central America.

The United States has always benefited from international migration for the development of its economy. Immigration has been a permanent source of labor availability; of desire, sacrifice and improvement; of dynamism and social mobility; and also a source of scientific, technological and business development. Immigration has been fundamental in maintaining the growing economy of the United States in the last two decades, both in the less qualified immigrant industries like farming, construction and service, and in professional and university fields like IT or science.

Gradually a portion of the U.S. public, forgetting its origins, began to feel uncomfortable with the new immigrants and created political pressure to toughen up immigration laws, which even include the construction of a physical wall of shame. A new vision was born, which could be encapsulated by the mottos, “America for Americans” or “we are already complete,” neglecting the fact that without immigration there would not be important economic growth. Immigrants help, not hurt, the economy; there are other erroneous economic policies that do harm.

In terms of drugs, U.S. policy has been characterized by pushing for the repression of production and transit sources, while cowardly resisting the consumer market. With the topic of migration, the problem is now shifting to the governments of poorer countries. America’s message is the application of the law, a convenient albeit incongruent one. The walls of shame, the patrolled deserts and the negative propaganda are equally responsible for danger to immigrants and the loss of human lives.

People look for opportunity in the same way that businesses look for new markets. It’s contradictory to promote the opening of new markets and the promotion of intellectual property while at the same time limiting labor mobility. This is a problem shared by the north and south, reflected in the relative levels of development. NAFTA was a positive initiative in Mexico that contributed to curbing the migration from said country. Right now, Central America needs policies that promote opportunities in our region, like public systems that provide work visas for young people who seek to emigrate to the U.S. and pursue the American dream. A unilateral policy is not the solution; shared efforts are required between both governments.