We have all heard Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump’s plans to build a massive wall along the Mexican border and deport undocumented immigrants. This aggressive approach seems to have resonated with the majority of the nation’s conservative voters and has contributed to his somewhat surprising lead in several national polls. While many past Republican presidential candidates – Ronald Reagan, George W. Bush, and Steve Forbes, to name a few – have taken an open stance on immigration, Trump’s contrasting plan to halt the supposed hordes of criminal aliens has gotten voters fired up and propelled his campaign to a double-digit lead in a number of states. When examined from a practical and legal standpoint, however, does his proposed policy hold water?
Latin Immigration and Crime Rates are Dropping
According to an article published by the New York Times, immigration from Latin America is actually slowing down. From 2009 to 2014, the Pew Research Center reports that there was actually a net outflow of 140,000 Mexican immigrants, with a higher number of immigrants coming from Asia since 2008. When considering these numbers, Trump’s wall would have a counterproductive effect and keep more Mexican immigrants in the country than it would keep out.
Crime is another misrepresented area of concern. Immigrant males aged 18 to 39 have only a 1.6% incarceration rate, while men of the same age group who were born in America have a 3.3% incarceration rate. In fact, almost 11% of American men without a high-school education end up in prison, while Mexican, Guatemalan, and Salvadoran men of the same educational background have only a 3% imprisonment rate. A study that examined 103 cities from 1994 to 2004 revealed that violent crime rates actually decreased as immigration surged.
Reform Is Needed, But Not Trump’s Approach
Trump’s aggressive deportation tactics and plans to seal up the border are not only impractical and morally questionable, but they will also stifle legal immigration. Streamlining the nation’s legal immigration system can encourage immigrants to come through the appropriate legal channels, thereby giving border agencies a chance to vet each incoming person. Rather than requiring our nation’s already thinly resourced border agencies to focus all of their attention on rounding up and deporting hardworking immigrants who are already here, a greater focus should be placed on attracting and admitting skilled immigrants, thus bolstering the country’s economy and reducing the supply of unskilled workers.
Contact a Skilled San Jose Immigration Lawyer
At the Law Office of Timothy D. Widman, our knowledgeable San Jose immigration attorney offers premier-quality legal advocacy for family, removal, citizenship and employment-based immigration matters. If you are facing an immigration issue, Mr. Widman can use his 15+ years of legal experience to maximize your chances of securing a desirable outcome for your situation.
Get in touch with us by calling (408) 780-1684 to schedule a consultation today.