We are living in an era of mass immigration. Not only are the United States facing the challenge of how to control the passage of thousands and thousands of people, especially across its southern border, but European countries are also dealing with the same issue, with the difference being that there are dozens of borders there.
In the United States, people from all over the world are crossing the border, most of them in search of work. But instead of trying to escape from American authorities by hiding in shelters for days until they find a gap to cross the desert, the overwhelming majority of immigrants seek out Border Patrol agents, sometimes waiting hours or days in makeshift camps to surrender.
Being transported by a Border Patrol vehicle and taken to a processing facility is no longer a setback. In fact, it is a crucial step to be able to apply for asylum – now the safest way for immigrants to remain in the United States, even though few end up winning their cases.
Just in December, over 300,000 people crossed the southern border, a record number. Not only because they believe they will manage to cross the border. They are certain that once they arrive in the United States, they will be able to stay.
Forever.
And, generally, they are not wrong.
The United States is trying to manage an immigration system with a fraction of the judges, officials, interpreters, and other personnel needed to handle the hundreds of thousands of immigrants crossing the border and flooding into cities across the country. This dysfunction makes it impossible to quickly decide who can stay in the country and who must be sent back to their homeland.
Consequence: They really do stay forever.
And this serves as an incentive for their family and friends left behind to embrace the opportunity as well.
After all, for most immigrants, the United States still represents the land of opportunity. Many come in search of work and will do whatever it takes to work, even if it means filing a weak, unconvincing asylum claim.
To qualify for asylum, applicants must convince a judge that returning to their home country would result in harm or death based on their race, religion, nationality, political opinion, or because they belong to a particular social group.
The immigration courts that adjudicate the claims are overwhelmed by the growing number of cases, causing requests to languish for years, during which time immigrants build lives in the United States.
Most asylum requests end up being denied. But even when that happens, a few years later, it is highly unlikely that the applicants will be deported. With millions of people illegally in the country, U.S. deportation officials prioritize the arrest and removal of individuals who have committed serious crimes and pose a threat to public safety.
What will happen to these thousands of immigrants crossing the border? They will continue to live in limbo until one marries an American or until a child born here turns 21 and can apply for permanent residency for their parents.
At least, that is what has been happening for the past few decades, while Congress – more divided than ever on immigration – continues to delay a true debate and commitment on the need to reform the country’s immigration laws.
Source: The New York Times