Immigration Debate
Abstract
Immigration has been a source of intense and polarizing discussion in recent times. One of the
leading players in this field is the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), which oversees the
immigration system in a secure, orderly, and compassionate manner. This means managing the
process of legal immigration while also ensuring that our borders are protected from threats such
as terrorism, smuggling, and illegal immigration. To achieve these objectives, the DHS is
responsible for various activities, including visa processing, border control, and immigration
enforcement. This involves working closely with other federal agencies and state and local law
enforcement to prevent threats from entering the country and to identify and apprehend those
who break the law.
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Immigration Debate
Immigration and Homeland Security
The Homeland Security Act, enacted in 2002, was a significant legislation that consolidated
several federal agencies into a single executive department, namely the U.S. Department of
Homeland Security (DHS). This new department was tasked with safeguarding the country from
terrorist attacks and other security threats, particularly in protecting the nation's borders and
critical infrastructure. On March 1, 2003, three new departments were established within the
DHS to take over the duties of the previously existing Immigration and Naturalization Service
(INS). These three new departments were: U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS),
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), and U.S. Customs and Border Protection
(CBP). Each of these departments had its distinct responsibilities, with USCIS handling
immigration and naturalization services, ICE responsible for enforcing immigration laws and
fighting transnational crime, and CBP tasked with securing the nation's borders and facilitating
lawful trade and travel. Creating the DHS and establishing these new departments significantly
shifted how the U.S. government approached national security and immigration enforcement
(U.S. Citizenship 2023). By consolidating these agencies under a single department, the
government aimed to improve communication and coordination among agencies and better
protect the nation from security threats at home and abroad.
Current Administration
In 1996, the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act (IIRAIRA) was
passed to impose stricter punishments on unauthorized individuals who violate U.S. law or
remain in the country for specific periods (Cornell Law 2023). Despite the fact that the
deportation and exclusion of individuals linked to terrorism are equally crucial as the arrest of
illegal immigrants and those with criminal backgrounds, they have not been given as much
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attention. It should be noted that many individuals come to the United States hoping for a better
life or to escape the dangers of their home country, which could endanger them and their
families. Such individuals take advantage of the immigration regulations to seek asylum in the
US. Many who have overstayed in the US or gotten deported find it hard to get back into the
United States. When Biden took office, he called out to Congress to pass immigration reform
since his first day in office (DHS, 2023). President Biden has been advocating for a
compassionate immigration system that is fair and just to all. He believes immigration is
essential to America's history and values and should be embraced rather than shunned. To this
end, he has spearheaded the most significant increase in permissive immigration channels in
decades, which will facilitate the entry of people from diverse backgrounds into the United
States. In addition to this, President Biden is also calling for adequately funded emergency
appropriations, including supplementary funds for border security (DHS, 2023). He recognizes
that border security is crucial to the safety and well-being of all Americans, and he is committed
to ensuring that the necessary resources are made available for this purpose.
Supportive and Shortcomings
Throughout his tenure, President Biden has been committed to assessing current data and
utilizing the latest results to inform his policies. This approach has helped him develop a better
understanding of the country's challenges and craft effective solutions to address them. One key
area where the Biden administration has focused its attention is on the treatment of immigrants.
The President and his team recognize that improving the treatment of immigrants in the United
States is essential to addressing human rights concerns. This includes ensuring that they have
access to the resources and support they need to build a better life for themselves and their
families. The Biden administration has taken several steps to improve conditions for immigrants
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in the United States. These include reforming the immigration system to make it more fair and
efficient, improving access to healthcare and other essential services, and providing greater
protections for vulnerable populations such as refugees and asylum seekers (DHS Factsheet
2023). President Biden's commitment to data-driven policymaking and his focus on improving
the treatment of immigrants are essential steps toward creating a more just and equitable society
for all Americans.
Outcomes during the previous administration
During the presidency of Donald Trump, the United States-Mexico border issue became a
highly contentious topic of debate. Trump's administration proposed the construction of a wall
along the border to prevent illegal immigration from Mexico into the US. The wall was intended
to be a physical barrier that would deter people from crossing the border illegally. The proposal
sparked much discussion and debate, as some people believed that the wall was necessary for
national security, while others argued that it was a waste of resources and would not address the
root causes of illegal immigration (Masferrer, 2019). The proposal for the wall was met with a lot
of opposition and was not implemented as planned. The debate around the border issue remains a
hotly contested topic in US politics.
Long before Trump launched the “Zero Tolerance” policy in 2018, children?were forcibly
removed from their parents in El Paso, Texas, and other border regions as part of a test operation
(SPLC 2022). The situation that has received significant attention in the media has resulted in
immense distress and agony for many families. It is a matter of grave concern that such incidents
have occurred, and it is essential to address the issue urgently. The families affected by this
unfortunate event must be reunited with their loved ones, and it is crucial to take steps to prevent
such actions from happening in the future. The authorities must ensure that justice is served and
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the perpetrators of these acts are held accountable for their actions. It is imperative to support the
affected families during this challenging time and work towards creating a safe and secure
environment for everyone. The Trump administration made border security a top priority during
their tenure. They aimed to implement a more sophisticated and comprehensive plan for border
security, with the construction of a wall along the border with Mexico being an essential aspect
of their strategy. The construction of this wall was highly controversial and met with fierce
opposition from many quarters. Despite the controversy, construction of the wall began during
Trump's last year in office. The project suddenly stopped in January 2021, merely a month into
Biden's presidency. The Biden administration cited environmental concerns, legal disputes, and
the high cost of the project as reasons for halting the construction of the wall. The sudden halt to
the construction of the wall was seen as a significant blow to the Trump administration's
immigration policy and was met with mixed reactions.
Addressing the issues and determining the next steps
The present deadlock in government agencies' ability to perform their responsibilities
efficiently can be attributed to various factors. One of the primary causes is the political climate,
which often leads to discordant orders and unclear next steps. Different government agencies
may have divergent interests and agendas, resulting in conflicting directives and priorities. As a
result, it can be challenging for agencies to remain aligned with each other and to work towards
common goals. This can lead to delays, confusion, and inefficiencies in the delivery of
government services and programs. To address this issue, there is a need for greater collaboration
and coordination among government agencies, as well as a clearer and more consistent policy
framework that can guide their actions (Dwyer, T. 2014). Political factors can add an extra layer
of complexity to government agencies' operations. Such factors include limited resources and the
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need to satisfy particular groups, making it challenging for agencies to carry out their
responsibilities efficiently and effectively. For instance, budget constraints may result in a lack of
personnel and technology, making it difficult for agencies to meet their mandates. Additionally,
political pressure can influence decision-making, compromising the objectivity and effectiveness
of government agencies. The public may suffer when agencies cannot perform their duties as
expected. Delays in service delivery, ineffective policy implementation, and failure to address
critical issues can lead to public discontent and exacerbate existing problems. Government
agencies must balance political considerations with their mandate to serve the public as
effectively and efficiently as possible.
Biblical Thought on Immigration and Homeland Security
In the Bible, we are commanded to not only love our neighbor but also to move, expand, and
populate the Earth. This means that we should strive to be productive and spread the goodness
that the Lord has bestowed upon us. Additionally, the Bible teaches us that we should love
strangers just as much as we love our own neighbors, regardless of their background or beliefs.
This is a powerful reminder that we should treat everyone with kindness and respect, just as the
Lord has treated us. Overall, these lessons from the Bible guide us to live a fulfilled and
meaningful life while also spreading love and compassion to those around us.
The Bible tells us, “When a foreigner resides among you in your land, do not mistreat them. The
foreigner residing among you must be treated as your native-born. Love them as yourself, for
you were foreigners in Egypt. Leviticus 19:33,34. When talking about immigration and
homeland security, the Bible tell us how we should treat his children and how we should protect
them. “You are to allot it as an inheritance for yourselves and the foreigners residing among you
who have children.?You are to consider them native-born Israelites; along with you, they are to
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be allotted an inheritance among the tribes of Israel. In whatever tribe a foreigner resides,
there?you are to give them their inheritance,” declares the Sovereign LORD Ezekiel 47:22,23?
Conclusion
the data that was gathered during the current administration's term and how it was analyzed and
interpreted. Our aim is to gain a comprehensive understanding of how the policies and actions of
the Trump administration impacted the border area. To do so, we will thoroughly examine their
policies, both those that were implemented and those that were proposed, and evaluate their
effectiveness in achieving their goals. The accomplishments and failures of the Trump
administration in relation to the border area. This includes assessing the impact of the
administration's efforts to increase border security and reduce illegal immigration, as well as
examining the measures taken to address other issues related to the border, such as drug
trafficking and human smuggling.a detailed and impartial analysis of the Trump administration's
impact on the border area, using the data and information available to us. We believe that this
will be instrumental in helping us understand the challenges faced by the region and in
formulating effective solutions for the future. analysis will entail an extensive and
comprehensive examination of the administration's policies, with a particular focus on its
immigration, trade, and security initiatives.. We will pay special attention to the successes and
failures of these policies, including the ways in which they impacted the social fabric, economy,
and security of the region. In addition to this, investigate the commerce, immigration, and border
security problems that the area faced during the period in question. We will explore the factors
that contributed to these challenges, including economic and political circumstances and the
policies of other countries. Through this analysis, we hope to gain a comprehensive
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understanding of the complexities of the issues facing the region and the administration's efforts
to address them.
References
Dwyer, T. (2014). Legal issues in homeland security. Flushing, NY: Looseleaf Law Publications,
Inc. ISBN 9781608850709.
English Standard Bible. (2001). https://esv.literalword.com
Featured laws and regulations. Department of Homeland Security. (2015, September 29).
Retrieved September 12, 2021, from https://www.dhs.gov/featured-laws-regulations
Masferrer, C., Hamilton, E. R., & Denier, N. (2019). Immigrants in Their Parental Homeland:
Half a Million U.S.-born Minors Settle Throughout Mexico."Demography,"56(4), 1453-1461.
https://doi.org/10.1007/s13524-019-00788-0
Splc (2022). Long before the Trump administration implemented its “zero tolerance”
immigration enforcement policy in 2018, it was already separating children from their parents as
part of a “pilot program” conducted in the El Paso, Texas, area and along other parts of the
border. https://www.splcenter.org/news/2022/03/23/family-separation-timeline
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