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The Villages
Thursday, March 28, 2024

The problems of illegal migration

Rich Sobieray

The debate/argument over the sanctity of our borders has been, conveniently, reduced to “immoral” actions by our government against “children” being separated from their loving parents. We end up with the perfect brew for the politicians where we have the “Leave them In” crowd versus the “Keep them Out” crowd.  And no one can offer a solution to the problem.

But is that really the problem that needs to be solved?

The migration problem begins in each of the Central American countries which, purportedly suffer from high rates of crime and violence caused by the Drug Cartels who need a transport route and “mules” for their drugs to the United States.

Contradicting this problem is our own State Department who admit the high crime rate but describe the region as “…relatively free from armed conflict, politically stable, and a strong economic partner.” U.S. assistance, more than $3.0 billion since 2010, has promoted prosperity, enhanced security and improved governance. During the same time period the governments of El Salvador, Guatemala and Honduras have committed $5.4 billion of their own funds to reinforce the U.S. initiative.

There is another side of the coin described by The Heritage Foundation in 2014: “It cannot be denied that Mexico…Guatemala, Honduras and El Salvador…are all facing chronic citizen and economic insecurity crises. Rampant corruption and weak state institutions have made it virtually impossible to combat threats posed by transnational gangs and organized criminal groups.”

Not included in these costs is the more than $51 billion spent each year enforcing the “War on Drugs.” Nor does it include the costs to absorb the legal/illegal entries across our borders. Nor does it include the costs to maintain a legal Embassy in each of these countries where it is possible to seek entry into our country legally and without dangerous and deadly travel consequences.

So, at the source, it seems that a reasonable expectation would be to demand that our government be more aggressive in solving the problem in each country. It would not be unreasonable to assume that the monies they currently allocate would be sufficient to increase security for those seeking asylum and or visas.

What is the responsibility of the Clergy?

Currently, our religious leaders cannot get to the microphone and cameras fast enough to declare their sage advice on morality. Even the Pope has stepped into the debate. Churches are advertising themselves as sanctuaries and aiding and abetting the unsafe transport of “children” across their national borders thru Mexico and across our borders as a right. They are even paying for those who have been assigned a court date to finalize their asylum request to get out of town.

There needs to be some honesty shown by our clergy when they fund a family to leave a port of entry with a court date in hand for appearance, knowing that these families will never return.

And what of the churches in Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, etc.? Are they without sanctuary? Are they without responsibility for the safety of these “children” when it is public knowledge that they are being abused and raped within their and along a dangerous travel route countries? How does this become only our problem to solve?

Is there a problem with Mexico?

No one wants to talk about the Drug Cartels. It has been reported that they have found a lucrative market in transporting for a fee the residents of Central America through Mexico into the United States. The new President of Mexico said he intends to increase this business venture of the Cartels by encouraging the mass migration from Mexico into our country. This is just as lucrative as the drug trade.

One problem to easily solve here would be to withhold the $140 million in aid earmarked for Mexico this year as well as reevaluate those costs absorbed by our Department of Defense, Homeland Security and other funds that find their way into a corrupt society. The power of the purse can be an effective solution…when one side is held accountable.

A solution then:

  • Solve the problem at the source…the source is not our border, it is theirs.
  • It is more humane and moral to avoid the transport of citizens across dangerous routes with dangerous “tour guides.” It is immoral to encourage these citizens to endanger themselves.
  • Enhance the process at the source for those seeking asylum. Additional security along with enhanced sanctuary provided by the churches would benefit the safety of those citizens who want to escape.
  • Screening migrants at the source would also eliminate deportation for those rejected for reasonable cause.
  • Perhaps the reason for a wall would be minimized.
  • Political and media bias could be neutralized.
  • We, again, have government programs run amok without oversight. It is past time to reign them in.

And Finally:

  • Acrimony between friends and neighbors could be softened.
  • It is our responsibility for us to hold our government responsible. Both parties benefit from neighbors arguing with neighbors.
  • It is our responsibility to hold our clergy accountable. There is a moral obligation being avoided along every point of travel for those seeking asylum.
  • It is our responsibility to support the Rule of Law and a reasonable process to change those laws with which we disagree. It is more complex than “Leave them In” or “Keep them Out.”
  • This is more than an issue about “Children” and “Families”.

Richard Sobieray is resident of The Villages and a frequent contributor to Villages-News.com

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