The Debate Over Immigration Policy and National Security

Immigration has always been a contentious issue in the United States, but in recent years, the debate has taken on a new dimension: national security. With the rise of terrorism and the ongoing threat of attacks on American soil, many argue that the country’s immigration policies need to be tightened to protect the nation from potential threats. But others argue that such policies would be discriminatory and go against the country’s values.

The Argument for Tighter Immigration Policies

Those who argue for tighter immigration policies point to the fact that many terrorists who have carried out attacks on American soil have been immigrants or the children of immigrants. For example, the 9/11 attacks were carried out by 19 hijackers, 15 of whom were citizens of Saudi Arabia, while the others were from Egypt, Lebanon, and the United Arab Emirates. The Boston Marathon bombing in 2013 was carried out by two brothers who were immigrants from Kyrgyzstan. The San Bernardino shooting in 2015 was carried out by a couple who were both born in Pakistan and came to the United States on visas. And the Orlando nightclub shooting in 2016 was carried out by a man whose parents were immigrants from Afghanistan.

Proponents of tighter immigration policies argue that these examples show that the current system is not working and that the country needs to do more to vet potential immigrants and refugees. They argue that the country should implement stricter background checks, require more documentation, and limit the number of people who are allowed to enter the country. They also argue that the country should focus on admitting immigrants who are more likely to assimilate into American culture and who share American values.

The Argument Against Tighter Immigration Policies

Those who argue against tighter immigration policies argue that such policies would be discriminatory and go against the country’s values of diversity and inclusion. They argue that the vast majority of immigrants who come to the United States are law-abiding citizens who contribute to the country’s economy and culture. They also argue that immigrants have always been a part of the fabric of American society and that the country would not be what it is today without them.

Opponents of tighter immigration policies also argue that such policies would not necessarily make the country safer. They argue that terrorists can come from any country, including those that are not on the current list of banned countries. They also argue that many of the recent attacks on American soil have been carried out by individuals who were born in the United States, not by immigrants.

The Current State of Immigration Policy

The current state of immigration policy in the United States is a complicated one. In January 2017, President Trump signed an executive order banning travel from seven predominantly Muslim countries: Iran, Iraq, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, and Yemen. The order was met with widespread protests and legal challenges, and in March, a federal judge in Hawaii blocked the order, calling it unconstitutional.

In September 2017, President Trump signed a new executive order, which replaced the previous one. The new order banned travel from six countries: Iran, Libya, Somalia, Syria, Yemen, and Chad. The order also included North Korea and Venezuela, but the restrictions on those countries were largely symbolic, as very few people from those countries travel to the United States. The new order was also met with legal challenges, but in December 2017, the Supreme Court allowed it to go into effect while legal challenges continued.

As of now, the debate over immigration policy and national security continues. Some argue that the country needs to do more to protect itself from potential threats, while others argue that such policies would be discriminatory and go against the country’s values. It remains to be seen what the future holds for immigration policy in the United States.

Conclusion

The debate over immigration policy and national security is a complex one, with valid arguments on both sides. While it is important to ensure that the country is safe from potential threats, it is also important to maintain the country’s values of diversity and inclusion. As the country moves forward, it will be important to find a balance between these two goals.

Regardless of where one stands on the issue, it is clear that immigration will continue to be a contentious issue in the United States for years to come.