On Feb. 15, the Pew Research Center published a report on Americans’ view of the situation at the U.S.-Mexico border. Those who were surveyed overwhelmingly fault the government for how the situation has been handled. The report is especially timely, as on Feb. 3, a convoy from Virginia converged on a Texas ranch near the border. Participants attending the event had “Trump 2024” banners at full display and proclaimed “Take Our Border Back” as a slogan in support of embattled Texas Gov. Greg Abott’s efforts to militarize Texan lands along the Rio Grande.
Away from the border, the Republican-led U.S. House voted (214 to 213) to impeach Sec. of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas on Feb. 13 for “willful and systemic refusal to comply with the law.” One could say the added tinge to the debate is absolutely influenced by the fact that 2024 is an election year, and that these events will certainly point to a shift that is reflected in survey responses.
Back to the Pew report, it’s interesting that the data showed there are differences along party lines when it comes to proposals for addressing the matter or even if the event can be considered a “crisis.” The majority of participants — 71% — cited better economic opportunities as a driver in migration, while about 65% said violence in migrants’ home countries is a major reason. Additionally, 22% reported economic burden and security concerns as reasons for truncating migration. An estimated 85% of self-identified Republicans surveyed said the surge in migration leads to increased crime, while 31% of self-identified Democrats echo the afore-noted concern.
These numbers certainly imply that public political discourse weighs heavily on popular perception. This is perhaps best illustrated with Donald Trump’s erroneous assertion that “Mexico will pay for the wall,” despite net migration from Mexico dipping into negative, meaning more Mexicans were moving to Mexico than migrating to the U.S. This conflation with Mexico is one that continues even as migration demographics indicate otherwise.
In a recent interview with NPR, Theresa Cardinal Brown asserted that “immigration as a system resists simple solutions.” However, what lawmakers fail to understand is the complexities surrounding immigration law that force courts to articulate a de facto policy.
In addition, much of the policies in place are archaic and do not reflect our present demographic reality: fewer Mexicans migrating and more folks arriving from Asia, the Caribbean and Central and South America.
Our policies are dated and speak to a moment of time we are no longer in. Rhetorical attacks made in an election year not only are inaccurate but also may lead to increased violence if allowed to continue.
Oscar Rosales grew up in the Yakima Valley and works and resides in Seattle.
Read more of the Feb. 28–March 5, 2023 issue.