Presnell 1

Dacey Presnell

Dr. Boyd

Humanities III

3 March 2023

The U.S. Immigration Doors

The thousands of debates about America’s immigration doors have lasted for years, and

as immigration policies become more strict, discussions become more complex and

controversial. However, when comparing the two sides, keeping the doors open outweighs the

reasons the doors should be closed, no matter how many people try to argue otherwise. Some

assumptions may include threats to national security, overpopulation, shortage of job

opportunities, and lack of economic contribution, but all are inaccurate. The United States of

America should leave the immigration borders open because immigrants are constantly being

separated from their families in the current immigration system and are simply looking for a

sanctuary to start a better life. Additionally, they boost America’s economy in numerous ways

and a considerable amount of inimical effects will take place if the borders are closed.

America has been known as “the land of the free” since the publication of the Declaration

of Independence, but many continuous contradictions—such as immigrant and migrant family

separation—have opposed this idea. One of the main occurrences of family separation is caused

by the immigration system. As immigrants and migrants find their home country too dangerous

to live in anymore, they look for the quickest way to escape. This issue leads them to seek

asylum in America, but many families are separated during the process. When trying to escape

the dangerous circumstances in their home country, they often attempt to legally enter America

by seeking asylum. The United States immigration law allows people who are fleeing violence
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and persecution to request asylum at or near the border. However, many immigrants who attempt

to enter this way end up separated by the system and endure traumatic experiences. In a

nefarious chapter of America’s recent history, America intentionally separated children from

their parents to discourage families from exercising this right (Bryant). With this much power

over immigrants and migrants, the system currently in place should be revised and the borders

should not be closed. If America’s doors do not stay open, millions of families will not only be

separated, but the negligence and callous behavior of the border control system towards these

struggling families will most likely become a more significant problem. Over the past decade,

hundreds of thousands of children have come to the United States without their parents, and

America has not built a system to receive them with empathy and respect. In the fiscal year 2021

alone, a record 122,000 children were taken into U.S. custody without their parents (Bryant).

This amount is 17% of the total quota of people allowed into the U.S. each year. During the

Trump administration, the Department of Homeland Security forcibly separated over 5,000

migrant families from their children under Donald Trump’s “zero tolerance” border policy

(“Why”). This policy led to families going through traumatic events, which would affect their

lives for years.

Millions of families have given testimonies to help bring their families together and bring

awareness to the situations they are forced to go through. Human Rights Watch, an independent,

international organization working as part of a dynamic movement to uphold human dignity, has

recorded testimony from children for decades. One child who gave testimony was a 14-year-old

boy who had traveled from Guatemala with his 29-year-old sister and her son. When they

approached border patrol to seek asylum, they were detained in separate cages. The boy had told

Human Rights Watch, “On the third day, they took me out of my cage and said I would be
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separated from my sister, but they didn’t tell me where I was going. I don’t understand why they

separated us. They didn’t give me a chance to say goodbye” (“US:”). The way this child and his

family were treated shows the harsh reality of the immigration system. In the novel, The Sun is

Also a Star, one of the main characters, Natasha Kingsley, is trying to prevent her deportation.

When she visits the USCIS, she comes across one of the guards and ends up thinking to herself,

“To her, I’m just another anonymous face, another applicant, another someone who wants

something from America” (Yoon 8). When she later arrives at the front desk to sign in for her

appointment, she is almost sent away since she was late. Natasha ends up yelling at the

receptionist and then notices everyone else looking at her. She began to think to herself, “All the

other applicants, even the ones who don’t speak English, are staring at me. Desperation translates

into every language.” (Yoon 17). Examining Natasha’s experience helps visualize how

immigrants are actual people and should be treated as such. Many families have been and still

are separated, which shows how heartless the U.S. government can be when dealing with these

people’s futures. In June 2018, the Trump administration announced an end to the government’s

forcible family separation policy after images of children in cages, leaked recordings of border

agents mocking crying children, and other news of the extent and impact of the administration’s

policy prompted a public outcry (“US:”). Even though the government put an end to the policy,

millions of families are still split between numerous places. Some families only had the funds to

send their children across the border legally, separating the family voluntarily to hopefully allow

for a smooth reunion. Some families’ only option to communicate with their loved ones in

America is to go to the border. The border between America and Mexico stretches 1,954 miles

long, but only a 15-meter-long iron chain fence is available for families to touch fingertips and

communicate with each other after being split apart (Lewis). Even though the immigration
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system has been continuously revised throughout the years, families are given barely any time to

communicate or touch, keeping them from what should be a basic human right. The lack of

empathy from the U.S. government towards the millions of immigrant families who are

separated from one another each year proves that if the borders were closed, millions more

would be put through traumatic events, leaving a lasting impact on their lives for years.

Millions of families apply to become citizens in America every year to hopefully have a

better life, but due to various reasons, many families are denied or turned away. This problem

leads to many people trying different methods to enter America instead. One way a significant

number of people try to enter the United States has been attempting to cross the border illegally.

Currently, only a set number of immigrants are admitted annually, which was established in

1990. Only 700,000 permanent visas for quota-restricted immigrants are allowed each year, but

over 2.7 million migrants were caught trying to cross the border illegally (Ainsley). Over three

decades have passed since the set number was decided. The population of the United States has

grown dramatically, demanding a change of regulation that has not taken place. Millions of

immigrants get caught, but a lot are successful with their attempts as well. This information

shows how desperate many immigrants and migrants are to start a better life in America. They

are risking their lives to try and illegally cross the border, knowing the consequences which lay

ahead, but attempting nonetheless, no matter the outcome. Since 1998, over 8,000 undocumented

migrants have died attempting to cross the border from Mexico to the U.S. (“How”). The number

of deaths would only increase if the borders closed since the main cause of these deaths were

immigrants trying to cross the border illegally. Even with high rates of contagious diseases such

as tuberculosis, hepatitis, and HIV, as well as non-contagious diseases and other causes of death

such as cancer, diabetes, liver diseases, homicide, and motor vehicle accidents, migrants would
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rather take the risk than stay in their home country (“Immigrant”). Approximately 350 million

crossings across the American-Mexican border have been documented each year, which is

around 950,000 people a day. Only about 60,000 people work for Border Control, which makes

security very vulnerable in areas (Gramlich). Those statistics mean for every one border control

agent, there are roughly 16 migrants in ratio. If the borders did not stay open and the security was

tightened, the borders would become overly chaotic, accompanied by more fatalities, and

millions more turned away or arrested daily.

As one of the most well-known countries in the world, America is recognized as a nation

with diverse people who help to create a prodigious economy. The United States is the world’s

largest national economy and global trader, providing an estimated 20% of the world’s total

income (“Economy”). One of the many causes of America’s great economy is the increase in

immigrants and migrants who have moved to America every year. Immigrants have always

played an important role in the American economy, contributing to growth and prosperity. Some

may argue, since immigrants and their U.S.-born children make up an estimated 26% of the U.S.

population, overpopulation and lack of job availability could become a severe issue (Esterline).

But, immigrants have started thousands of businesses, created jobs, and paid taxes, all of which

help to stimulate economic growth. According to a study by the National Foundation for

American Policy, immigrants were twice as likely as native-born Americans to start their own

businesses (“American”). Immigrant entrepreneurs have created companies such as Google,

eBay, and Tesla, which have provided thousands of jobs to Americans. At the same time,

immigration also increases potential economic output by increasing the size of the labor force,

which helps to fill in gaps in the workforce (Rouse). By opening border doors, immigration will
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bring about more job opportunities and contribute to the American economy as much as current

citizens.

Immigration also brings diversity and cultural richness to the United States, having

contributed to the development of American art, music, literature, cuisine, and more. Allowing

entry into America for immigrants and migrants will keep numerous opportunities open,

continuously boosting America’s economy. According to an article written by Avianne Tan and

Serena Marshall, immigrants, and their families spent an estimated $927 billion on consumer

goods and services in 2014. Their contribution aided the growth of many industries such as

retail, housing, and healthcare. By consuming goods and services, immigrants and migrants

support American businesses and contribute to the overall health of the economy (Tan). Jeremy

Robbins, the executive director of the Partnership for a New American Economy, stated,

“Immigrants are a very vital part of what makes the U.S. economy work. They help drive every

single sector and industry in this economy.” Through these statistics, his statement helps put in

perspective the positive impact immigrants and migrants have on the U.S. economy. However,

immigrants tend to find shelter in poverty-stricken neighborhoods and neglected buildings;

around 14.6% of immigrants in America are living in poverty (Esterline). Housing in America

has been a large issue for decades and continues to worsen. While immigrants and migrants may

boost America’s overall economy greatly, the lack of housing has risen, as well as a lack of

low-paying job opportunities, as more immigrants move into the United States (Ballard). With an

open border, many immigration laws would have to be rewritten to aid immigrants and migrants

rather than overlooking continuous problems. America would have to work towards building

bigger and better communities and employment opportunities.

America is known as one of the best countries to start over in. Immigrants and migrants,

who have led a difficult life in their home country, often look for asylum in the United States,

hoping to start a better life. An estimated 11 million undocumented immigrants live illegally in

America. If the borders were closed, an influx of panicked people would attempt to enter and

those applying for citizenship within the border would face more discrimination and hardship.

Additionally, the U.S. government would have greater issues with keeping track of those who

successfully cross illegally. As of 2020, the total number of immigrants waiting to be admitted

into America for seeking asylum alone was over 600,000, while the amount accepted ended up

being a little over 185,000 (“A Sober”). These statistics indicate a lot of people are attempting to

enter America legally, and if the doors were closed, many of these families would feel they

would have no other choice but to attempt to cross the border illegally so they could start a better

life. Closing the doors would be very difficult for America because border patrol is already

severely understaffed and the cost to tighten security would be very expensive. Since the creation

of the Department of Homeland Security in 2003, the federal government has spent around $333

billion on multiple agencies whose jobs are to enforce immigration laws and systems (“The

Cost”). With multiple methods people take to enter the U.S.—legally or illegally—the

immigration system currently allows for despicable behaviors and law-breaking situations. In an

interview in 2018, Nick Schifrin talked about immigration and why one of the main causes

people risk traveling to enter America is because the journey is safer than where they had been

living. He stated, “For these people, the United States represents the opportunity for a better life”

(“Migrants”). One of the primary reasons why some might argue for stricter immigration policies

is to protect national security. Some concerns include potential terrorist threats, as well as

concerns about foreign espionage and other forms of international crime. The U.S. Department
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of State estimated between 14,500 and 17,500 victims were trafficked within The United States

annually; 72% of these victims were immigrants. Although, this data should not be considered a

reason to close America’s immigration doors (York). These statistics are more of a reason for

laws in the United States to be adjusted and more heavily reinforced, for citizens and immigrants

alike.

In conclusion, immigrants have a tremendous role in The United States of America and

will continue to have a positive impact for as long as the borders stay open. Over the past few

decades, immigration rates have increased a tremendous amount, and whether the immigration

doors should be open or closed has been a long debate. With numerous studies, statistics, and

data on immigration risks and benefits, the conclusion is obvious that America should leave the

immigration doors open and current laws should be reevaluated and better implemented. The

United States of America should leave the immigration borders open because immigrants are

constantly being separated from their families in the current immigration system and are looking

for a sanctuary to start a better life. Additionally, they boost America’s economy in numerous

ways and a considerable amount of inimical effects will take place if the borders are closed. If

the United States ever decided to close the immigration and migration borders, the border control

would be understaffed for all of the migrants trying to cross the border illegally; the government

would not able to keep track of every successful person. The United States would be

overwhelmed with new immigrants and migrants; families would be separated and traumatized.

Detention centers would be overcrowded; riots would break out all over the country. Keeping the

borders open would allow order to be maintained, future generations to be exposed to the

diversity of the world, and the evolution of America’s economy and people.
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“American-Made 2.0: How Immigrant Entrepreneurs Continue to Contribute to the U.S.

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