Texas and its Immigration Challenges
Texas is one of the states in the United States of America, which is strategically located along the US-Mexican border in the southern US. The advent of His Excellency Donald Trump administration and strict immigration policies has had a negative impact on families living in this state.
Attractions in Texas
Texas is one of the great states in the US due to the presence of deserts, the Rio Grande River, the Museum of fine arts in Houston displaying works of well-established impressionist and renaissance painters, and Space Centre Houston alongside promising opportunities, which has attracted many immigrants. However, the treatment of immigrants under Trump’s administration has elicited reactions from human rights activists within the state.
Cross-Border Policies and their Implications
I feel that cross-border policies on immigration have created more problems than solutions. America in its entirety is composed of immigrants other than the aborigines. Expelling illegal Mexican immigrants from the US is not doing any better service to the prosperity of Texas and the United States at large. The implementation of the immigration policies has led to the separation of families exposing children to trauma hence undermining their right to medical and parental care. In my view, the resources used in implementing the policy negatively could be channeled to other constructive areas other than using them to contribute to the declining economic progression of the state. Immigrants are human beings and have rights conferred on them by virtue of being human beings, and they should not be looked down upon because of their status.
Personal Experience and Alternative Solutions
Under the zero-tolerance policy on immigration, my family had suffered a significant blow seeing our neighbors forcibly removed from the United States. Some of the immigrants were serving in our businesses, taking care of our properties despite being supportive neighbors. However, despite the resistance to the policy, my family believes that all American citizens need documentation. Instead of deporting the immigrants, a quota system should be set to allow a certain number of immigrants into the country. Alternatively, the federal government could invest in the Mexican cities bordering Texas to discourage people from migrating to the United States because the conditions in the surrounding cities are deplorable, incentivizing the migrants to cross the border. I have witnessed the challenges that these migrants face and it is germane that the government takes immediate action. For instance, most employers recruit immigrants because of their cheap labor and due to the fact that these individuals would have no cause of action in law when they violate their labor rights. Moreover, I have been witness of the ill-treatment that immigrants suffer in the hands of law enforcers because of their lack of documentation.
Implications for McAllen City
The immigration policies are also of great significance for the stability of the economic activities in McAllen city. The city has a close proximity to the border that thrives on immigration and commercial activities. The recent riots and demonstration against zero tolerance and separation of families along this border affected the operations of several businesses. Despite the community having different views on the immigration policy, many people agree that human rights should not only be respected but also protected. However, some community members hold the view that the Mexican-Texas border is merely an entry point and that eventually most of these immigrants end up settling in other states, and some even outside the United States. Therefore, they feel that the government should intensify surveillance on this border, prevent entry into the US using minimum force possible. Since the 9-11 attack, Americans have been cautious of another terror attack. As a result, there is a need to identify and document all people entering the United States. Texas is one of the states that has experienced gun violence incidents this year, with the notable one being when Dimitrios Pagourtzis opened fire at Santa Fe High School claiming ten lives. The community feels that the deportation of illegal immigrants did not deter American citizens with guns from killing their fellow citizens. They, therefore, recommend that the implementation of the policy should be re-evaluated so as to minimize the negative effects the deportation has had, especially on families.
