Argumentative Essay On Immigration: [Essay Example], 8146 words
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Argumentative Essay on Immigration

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Words: 8146 |

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41 min read

Updated: 27 January, 2025

Words: 8146|Page: 1|41 min read

Updated: 27 January, 2025

Table of contents

  1. 1. Introduction to Immigration and Its Significance
  2. 2. Historical Context of Immigration Policies
  3. 3. Economic Impacts of Immigration
  4. 4. Social and Cultural Implications of Immigration
  5. 5. Immigration and National Security
  6. 6. Immigration Laws and Enforcement
  7. 7. Refugee and Asylum Policies
  8. 8. Immigration and Labor Market Dynamics
  9. 9. Immigration and Crime Rates
  10. 10. Integration and Assimilation of Immigrants
  11. 11. Immigration and Education Systems
  12. 12. Healthcare Access for Immigrants
  13. 13. Humanitarian Considerations in Immigration Policies
  14. 14. Public Opinion and Media Representation of Immigration
  15. 15. Immigration and Globalization
  16. 16. Immigration Policies in Different Countries
  17. 17. The Ethics of Immigration Policies
  18. 18. Future Trends and Challenges in Immigration
  19. 19. Conclusion and Recommendations
  20. References

1. Introduction to Immigration and Its Significance

In a global world, it is not surprising that there are so many people who cross borders to relocate to another country to live and work. Immigration has greatly expanded during the last few decades, and given the nature of the economy that the people of the twenty-first century live in, many of these immigrants come to work. Some people believe that immigrants are generally less educated and have lower skills, which is not accurate for a significant number of immigrants coming from different countries, especially those who have been accepted through special programs. This paper discusses and analyzes the impact of immigration into the United States and how the nation would fare economically in the absence of immigrants. The growth of the population, the increased productivity, as well as the international capital markets, are considered to be the main factors contributing to economic and population growth, which have been acknowledged. However, the problem of immigration is not unique to the United States. In earlier times, it was a movement of population towards countries where there was a chance to achieve better living standards. Today, after the fall of the Communist parties, there are new capitalist systems in Europe, and there is a mass of people looking for a better life. Therefore, there is now a new movement of population towards these countries. Opening borders is controversial; the impacts of immigration on the world economy are profound, as empirical evidence suggests that welfare will increase. On the other hand, the impacts of immigration have created national controversies and debates, so the question is which generalizations from such empirical research are policy relevant.

2. Historical Context of Immigration Policies

Immigration policies are not just recent constructs but have a historical backdrop significantly impacting the present discourse. Countries, particularly nation-states, were shaped by immigration, affecting their demographic and cultural setup. Nothing, but peoples’ movement from one place to another in search of better livelihood or living conditions, shaped countries in earlier times. However, with the establishment of territoriality, immigration practices began to either control or facilitate movement. While some countries opted for strict regulatory framework, some others chose the path of laxity. It is often said that immigration policies of countries across the globe now-a-days reflect political climates of a bygone era. The policies, in different epochs, conducted either from the zenith of political power or downside of it, always exhibit sociocultural attitude of the time (Coffman, 2007). Four distinct eras, again categorised into sub-periods, of immigration policy and legal framework have been examined concerning the United States of America (USA). This is important because the post arrival condition of immigrants vis-a-vis policy and legislative framework became the principal basis of their examination. Moreover, USA, out of its own experience, emerged as a global debate setter on immigration policy discourse. So, examining USA’s policy and legislative framework will shed light on how past immigration policies have implications on present immigrants groups (R. Davidson, 2015). Though the focus remains on USA, the discourse is relevant for countries like France and Australia having similar past experiences. Countries, at some point of time, opted for either openness or restrictions in immigration laws. Understanding the historical context of such policies is essential in addressing present day conundrums and forming policies for future.

3. Economic Impacts of Immigration

The debate surrounding immigration remains contentious, especially in Western countries. While politicians often highlight the negative impacts of immigration, it is essential to examine the positive contributions made to society. Focusing on the economic impacts of immigration, it is often argued that immigration damages the national economy and that immigrants are a burden. However, this simplistic view of immigration overlooks the multifaceted nature of the economy. Although economic problems may arise due to immigration, it is crucial to analyze who is affected and how, rather than assuming that immigration is solely responsible for such issues.

Overall, it is clear that immigration brings both benefits and challenges to the national economy. Many studies have been conducted on the economic impacts of immigration. Generally, these studies find that the benefits of immigration outweigh the challenges. It is widely accepted that immigration has positive impacts on the labor market, innovation, and entrepreneurship. Immigration is essential for a nation's survival, and growth is the most common argument used to defend it. Immigrants almost always fill labor shortages in various sectors of the economy. Immigration has a positive effect on economic growth in most sectors, although it may have a negative impact on less skilled labor groups (Maha and Maha, 2010). It is essential to remember that broad national growth figures mask differing impacts. In simple terms, although the economy grows, essential services for low-skilled workers may be diluted. There is also a concern that growth may not be equitably distributed and that higher productivity will lead to wage suppression.

Immigrants are over-represented in innovation, patenting, and entrepreneurship compared to the native population. Studies have shown that immigrants are an essential part of the solution to Europe's growth dilemma. Foreign-born inventors are responsible for an increasing share of patents, and countries with a more open immigration policy tend to have more immigrant inventors. Immigrants are especially likely to be self-employed, and on average, they create more jobs than natives (Ramirez-Benavides, 2015). Examining the economic impacts of immigration, particularly the Hispanic population, is important. The United States, the destination for most Hispanic immigrants, has lost an enormous number of jobs. Economic problems tend to make immigrants, particularly Hispanics, the target for blame. In reality, the US Hispanic immigrant population has grown substantially over the past decade. Broadly, illegal immigration has led to a decline in wages for low-skilled workers and increased competition. However, studies show that this effect is very small and that immigration has a negligible impact compared to other shocks facing the national labor market.

4. Social and Cultural Implications of Immigration

The social and cultural effects of immigration have been widely discussed in public and scientific debates. The focus is especially laid on the integration or non-integration of immigrant populations in host societies. On the one hand, immigration is regarded as a chance for development and enrichment of the culture and society of the receiving country. New impulses are seen as positive for the economy, arts, and the creation of a dynamic community. On the other hand, and especially in the European context, fears of a growing cultural diversity are present today. A "clash of civilizations" is regarded as possible, whereby immigrants represent a cultural threat to the achieved level of civilization of the host country (Pasini, 2012).

Cultural aspects are central in immigration debates since most immigrant populations differ from the native residents in their cultural background and therefore change the cultural patterns of the society they immigrate into. Cultural change can evoke enrichment and finding new opportunities of development but also conflicts and the fear of a loss of identity. Cultural elements comprise the most visible demonstrations of how social structures change. Immigrants influence social norms, values, and identities and therefore shape the culture of the society they enter. As a consequence, the focus is laid on the challenges to and chances for social cohesion as a consequence of cultural change caused by immigration, the possible conflict between the protection of a common culture and the need for tolerance towards cultural diversity, and a discussion of social policies that take inclusion and diversity into consideration (Ferrante, 2019).

It is important to note that cultural efforts towards integration and population diversity can have very different outcomes. In one case, immigrant communities can approximate the cultural standards of the host society, and cultural differences can wither away. In another case, host societies accept or even promote the cultural characteristics of the immigrant communities, and cultural diversity becomes an inherent part of the social sphere. For a better understanding of how immigration intervenes in the social structures of the society creating new cultural patterns, different historical case studies illustrating different arrangements of cultural integration efforts are presented.

5. Immigration and National Security

Public fears linked to immigration have often focused on the perceived threats it poses to national security. As with crime, fears of immigration in terms of national security have been fuelled by key historical events (L. III Rizer, 2016). The most infamous was the September 11 terrorist attacks, where 15 out of the 19 hijackers entered the U.S. on immigrant visas and 10 were even lawful permanent residents. Earlier, the 1993 bombing of the World Trade Center by a group of mostly naturalized immigrants from Egypt had raised similar fears. In fact, since the mid-1990s, a broader view of national security has emerged and been adopted by immigration and border control policies, combining threats of terrorism, but also crime, disease, and even environmental disasters. As with other public fears, perceptions of immigration as a threat to national security often largely depend on how these fears have been articulated in political discourse.

The national security concerns regarding immigration are often framed by a consideration of a number of key events, policies, and legal responses that have molded this debate. Terrorism has often taken centre stage in these discussions, but also crime has been considered in terms of how groups of immigrants might pose a threat to public safety, and thus, security. Furthermore, attention is given to prospects for future policy interventions, and, in particular, questions regarding the ability to maintain a balance between necessary security measures and humanitarian principles in immigration policies are critically evaluated. The national security efforts in regard to immigration are largely guided by legal frameworks that define the very limits of what has to be protected by national security, as well as the grounds for what may be considered a threat or risk. Within these broader frameworks, however, the national legislatures are often granted vast discretionary powers, which in turn has allowed for the expansion of highly politicized and sometimes even arbitrary policies. The debate also raises questions about the degree to which political discourse shapes public perceptions of immigration in times of heightened fears regarding national security, as well as how fears anchored in political narratives become translated into legislation and policy. Finally, questions are raised regarding how effective infrastructure and policies aimed at controlling immigration, especially through borders, really are in terms of enhancing actual security, and, thus, what such public expenditures and curtailing of rights are intrinsically aimed at achieving.

In the post-September 11 context, these questions are particularly crucial, as the considerable resources and emphasis placed on national security efforts in regard to immigration have often been questioned in terms of their effectiveness. Ultimately, the goal is to contribute to a more informed public dialogue about the complexities of the relationship between immigration and national security and the possible consequences of this for human rights and democracy.

6. Immigration Laws and Enforcement

Laws and enforcement practices regulate immigrant status, detailing rights, responsibilities, and deportation processes. Frameworks govern legal entry, residency, and deportation, with diverse regulations in federal states and unitary states. Jurisdictions consider public order and labor market when drafting laws, balancing national security and socio-economic growth. Laws dictate immigrant rights based on legality and residency, affecting social rights . Enforcement scopes include apprehension, deportation, and daily life within enforcement jurisdictions. Agencies enforce laws at various governmental levels, adopting lenient or strict approaches. Enforcement impacts immigrant communities’ rights, sometimes disregarding rights despite legal protections. Controversial enforcement policies raise ethical concerns, especially for innocent immigrants, like family separation. Legal challenges against harmful measures highlight enforcement complexities. Immigration laws seem incongruous with public perception; rights or services linked to status shape expectations. Advocacy groups counteract unjust practices; legal challenges confront enforced realities like family separation. Defending vulnerable populations’ rights demands complex legal frameworks, transparent social rights linking legal status and service access, and considering socio-economic context in law design.

Immigration regulations specify entry conditions and status consequences, defining legal/illegal, resident/non-resident, temporary/permanent categories. Laws shape rights, responsibilities, and deportation outlines against prior status. Fragmented jurisdictions adopt diverse immigration laws, focusing public order, labor market, and socio-economic impact. National security and growth balance guide immigrant interest consideration in law-making. Generally, legal/illegal distinction governs rights; legislation tiers rights to legality and residency, social rights degree varying. Enforcement encompasses apprehension, deportation, and daily jurisdiction life. Rules detail status change procedures and rights during enforcement; abuses challenge legality. Enforcement agencies operate at varied government levels. Exercising discretions leads to strict or lenient legal approaches. Approach determines immigrant community rights status and protections between strict and lenient regimes. Enforcement measures affect rights, often disregarding them; legal defenses falter against abusive practices. Complexities arise as rights adjust despite legal enforcement compliance. Controversial measures challenge ethical validity of design and enforcement. Abuses target innocents; guilt-by-association codes recklessness. Family unit disregard highlights enforcement policy deadlocks.

7. Refugee and Asylum Policies

From an anthropocentric point of view, states have several moral obligations towards their own citizens. These moral obligations toward their own people include public healthcare, education, social security, economic development, controlling violence, and many others. A common defense of limiting immigration is the defense of a better life for their own citizens. These promises of well-being lead many citizens to defend the closure of borders to poor immigrants. They are demanding that immigrants who contribute to national development be allowed to settle, with few or no rights and economic compensation, while they demand that immigrants who had international protection in their own homeland return because they are no longer needed. These motivations cannot be morally defended.

In the case of refugees, there are two central reasons why there are moral limits for restricting the rights of refugees to settle in a specific place. Firstly, refugees cannot be required to return to their homeland if their life is at risk. Refugees must be allowed asylum, and once this decision is made, there is no longer any reason for further mobility restrictions. Another important reason for restricting immigration is the preservation of public resources. National states are allowed to restrict immigration in order to preserve the rights and public resources among their own citizens, who have contributed to these resources.

8. Immigration and Labor Market Dynamics

Immigration is often seen as a burden for the welfare system or the public financial system, especially in times of economic downturn when native employment is sluggish and job opportunities scarce. On the other hand, economic restructuring and globalization processes create labor shortages in specific industrial sectors that immigrants could fill. Thus, immigration can be seen as both a problem and a solution for labor market rigidities. Moreover, a mismatch between the supply and demand of the labor market was observed in many nations and regions, where the ‘wrong’ qualifications or unwillingness of the native population hindered employment in certain industrial sectors characterized by low-skilled, monotonous, and often flexible jobs. Such lock-ins could be resolved by immigration policies attracting low-skilled immigrants. The immigration-labor market nexus essentially focuses on the effects of immigration on the labor market and vice versa (Levine, 2010). The effects of immigration on the labor market are examined from both a macroeconomic and sectorial perspective.

As indicated by the former, immigrants can be seen as an economic asset to the host country and society, contributing to productivity growth; permanent, temporal or circular migration can fill jobs that domestic workers cannot or do not want to take up; and the employment of immigrants can relieve labor market tensions causing wage increases and employment declines for native workers. On the other hand, immigrants can also be seen as a threat to the labor market from a macroeconomic perspective, competing with native workers and thus depressing wage levels and employment opportunities to the disadvantage of native workers. The group most harmed by low-skilled immigration would be the low-skilled native workers, as both groups are close substitutes. Empirical data have been collected on the labor market effects of immigration, such as productivity growth due to the employment of immigrants and wage increases or decreases due to immigration influx by certain industrial sectors. From the latter perspective, the effects of the labor market on immigration are examined, focusing on the so-called triple-mismatch between the immigrants’ individual qualifications, the labor market qualifications needed, and the networking support required that cause problems in the immigrant integration process on the labor market. The recognition of education credentials that is valid in the sending country as equivalent in the receiving country has been considered a significant obstacle for many highly qualified migrants. Other essential challenges for the newly arrived immigrants are job training on the language and specific qualifications of the industry and social embedding through networking. Both elements are necessary, as in some cases, knowledge of the language alone would be insufficient to find a job. Furthermore, the role of the employers in shaping the labor market demand is also essential as the specific (non)required qualifications for a certain job often stay tacit and hidden, and the industry sector shapes the socio-spatial employment area of immigrants.

9. Immigration and Crime Rates

Myths and Misconceptions on Immigration and Crime Rates (L. Spenkuch, 2010) estimate the fiscal impact of immigration and finds that each immigrant initially creates a burden for the taxpayer. This burden, however, turns into a large surplus over the long run. Noteworthy U.S. cities, states, and regions that have attracted large numbers of immigrants—such as New York City, Los Angeles, Miami, Chicago, Maryland, and the Bay Area—have also prospered. There are multiple mechanisms by which an increase in the number of immigrants may affect crime. The first is a purely mechanical population effect. An influx of immigrants can be expected to increase the total number of crimes simply because it increases the population. For example, from 1867 to 1910, the foreign-born portion of the Chicago population increased from 18 to 87 percent. During the same time, the total number of crimes committed rose from 68 to 7,253, with a particular increase in the number of crimes committed by foreigners. In 1860, 48 percent of all crimes in Chicago were committed by foreigners; this number grows to 82 percent in 1910. A similar picture emerges for New York City and Philadelphia.

The second effect is an increase in crime rates that stems from a share-related or compositional effect. Crime rates could be affected by composition effects. An influx of immigrants can be expected to increase crime rates—even if natives and immigrants have equal propensities to commit crime. For example, since the 1960s both crime rates and the share of immigrants among the American population have more than doubled. Almost three quarters of Americans believe immigration increases crime. Becker’s seminal work on the economic theory of crime points to two mechanisms by which immigration can be expected to affect crime. First, immigration has an impact on crime if immigrants’ outside options differ from those of natives, or if the expected utility from committing a crime differs between the two groups. For example, a rise in the difference between the returns to legal and illegal economic activity increases crime among both groups, but has a stronger impact on the group with lower outside options. The crime rate increases if the marginal immigrant commits more crimes than the average American. On average immigrants are less educated, have lower incomes, and are less proficient in English than Americans. Second, the crime rate increases if the propensity to commit crimes is higher for the marginal immigrant than for the average native. For example, since 1990, the number of immigrants in custody in the Southern District of New York has more than tripled—from 200 to over 700—which is only one example of a large number of recently publicized crimes associated with 'illegal immigrants.'

10. Integration and Assimilation of Immigrants

Integration and assimilation are two processes that immigrants undergo when settling in a new country. While both terms are often used interchangeably, they have distinct meanings. Integration refers to the process by which immigrants and the native population of a country adjust to each other, involving reciprocal changes from both sides. Assimilation, on the other hand, implies a one-way process where immigrants adopt the cultural identity of the host society, leading to a reduction in their native cultural characteristics (F. Heath and L. Schneider, 2021). Despite their differences, integration and assimilation are closely related concepts. The successful integration of immigrants into a receiving society leads to their assimilation, while unsuccessful integration can result in the formation of parallel societies, with negative implications for both immigrants and the receiving society (Lutz, 2017). One of the important factors that can lead to successful integration is social support networks, which include community organizations, religious groups, and social services. Such networks are especially crucial for low-skilled immigrants who cannot rely on their human capital to improve their situation in the host country. As a response to large-scale immigration, many European countries have developed specific policies to facilitate the integration of immigrants. These policies are based on different models and definitions of integration, with multiculturalism and assimilation being the two dominant approaches. Multiculturalism encourages immigrants to maintain their cultural identity, while assimilation requires them to abandon their native culture and adopt the lifestyle of the majority population. However, the effectiveness of these contrasting approaches in terms of successful integration is still debated. Some political leaders assert that multiculturalism has failed, while others argue that assimilation may not be effective in a pluralist society where the majority does not share a single ethnic or national identity. Although immigrants are usually eager to establish their life in a new socio-cultural environment, the process of integration is challenging and controversial. In some cases, retaining a cultural identity might be more important than adapting to a new environment. For example, native cultural characteristics can serve as a protective mechanism against discrimination in the labor market. This dilemma raises an important question: to what extent should immigrants change their cultural characteristics in order to fit into a new environment? Integration is a two-way process requiring an adaptation of both immigrants and the receiving society. However, the adaptation of society is often neglected, as social policies in most countries are designed to primarily influence the behavior of immigrants. In this regard, the importance of the cultural context in the integration process is highlighted, as the same values can have different implications in different environments. For instance, the role of education and language acquisition in the integration process is not so straightforward, as access to education does not guarantee success without the willingness and ability to use it. Despite the many challenges that immigrants face in a new social milieu, successful integration brings mutual benefits for both immigrants and society as a whole. Therefore, it is necessary to create inclusive policies that foster an environment in which the integration of immigrants is possible.

11. Immigration and Education Systems

With increased globalization and political unrest across the world, migration has been an increasingly pertinent issue for many countries. Migration can come in many forms; for many people, it involves leaving their homes and moving to another city, region, state, or country in search of a better quality of life. As a result, education systems are faced with a diverse group of students from different backgrounds. Although immigration is often perceived as a burden, it can also be seen as an opportunity. Schools should be viewed as a “melting pot” that promotes inclusion as well as development and understanding of foreign backgrounds. Educational systems across the world are significantly impacted by immigration, whether it is through changes in policies and budgets or simply through the enforcement of new rules (Castro et al., 2015).

In the fall of 2021, the number of public school students in the United States born outside the country or with at least one foreign-born parent rose to 9.7 million, constituting 23 percent of all public school students. During this time, 4.9 million students, or 11 percent of all public school students, were English language learners (ELLs). ELLs are defined as students who were born outside of the United States and have a native language other than English and who have not yet generalized the skills of listening, speaking, reading, and writing in English at a level that is proficient. Students who immigrate to a different country may face difficulties during their first years of school, such as dealing with cultural shocks, discrimination, exclusions, and language barriers. However, as they settle in and adjust with the help of family, friends, peers, and teachers, many succeed academically. Some may even outperform native students. Children who come from families with a different native language than that of the school will most likely find themselves in a similar, but not entirely same, situation. They will face a challenge that requires assistance, exposure, and time.

12. Healthcare Access for Immigrants

Immigrant populations encounter many challenges pertaining to their access to healthcare services. The accessibility of health insurance and healthcare services significantly influences the health outcomes of a population. Conversely, the misalignment between a population's eligibility for insurance coverage and the health insurance programs offered can lead to disparities in health outcomes. In the immigrant population, legal status is the most salient determinant of access to care (Hacker et al., 2015). Five hospitals across five states were selected to provide further context on their underserved immigrant communities and the initiatives taken by some hospitals to ensure access to care for immigrants regardless of their legal status. Each state provides an example of the varied policies governing immigrant access to healthcare services at the state level and the resulting implications for the immigrant populations residing in those states.

Medicaid coverage for low-income pregnant women and infants is mandated under federal law, regardless of immigration status, in all states. This policy opens a crucial pathway to care for many pregnant women and infants, who may be otherwise ineligible for health insurance coverage. However, the enacted policies and practices of state Medicaid programs can create barriers for immigrant mothers in accessing care for their U.S.-born infants. After children are born, they are only eligible for Medicaid coverage if they meet the citizenship and immigration requirements under federal law. Most immigrant mothers lack access to vital information regarding the eligibility of their U.S.-born children for Medicaid and the services covered under this program. Language barriers, bureaucratic obstacles, and discriminatory practices within the health system disproportionately affect immigrant mothers, further impeding their ability to seek care for their children (Kangethe, 2012).

Beyond legal barriers, many other institutional-level barriers limit an immigrant’s access to healthcare services, such as language barriers, cultural differences, and economic instability. Language barriers are one of the most researched challenges keeping immigrants from seeking care. Limited English proficiency can prevent individuals from obtaining clear and fair information about the services available. Cultural differences may keep some immigrants from wanting to utilize the services altogether because they may perceive the services as inappropriate. In general, individuals suffering from trauma might find it difficult to confide in strangers about their experiences, and many immigrants come from war-torn countries; therefore, they might find it difficult to trust the services being offered. Furthermore, immigrants are often subjected to low-paying jobs that do not provide them with health insurance. They are typically employed in jobs as janitors, hotel workers, dishwashers, and cooks, which are often characterized by long working hours, instability, and unpredictability. Several initiatives have been implemented to improve healthcare access for immigration-underserved communities; for instance, the Massachusetts Immigrant and Refugee Health Collaborative partnered with the Massachusetts Department of Public Health to fund community-based organizations serving immigrant populations. Public health campaigns were also employed to share vital information and clarify health service eligibility for immigrants, targeting the most recently arrived populations. Misinformation regarding the ineligibility of many immigrants for health benefits under the Affordable Care Act created a need for health literacy campaigns importing essential knowledge of the services available for free. Many public health departments trained community-based organizations to be able to explain the services available within their communities. Often, these organizations were the only places immigrants would feel safe seeking help because they might be apprehensive about going to state-funded organizations for fear of deportation.

Immigrants actively shape the healthcare workforce: many physicians, nurses, and allied health professionals are immigrants, and in some places, immigration has played a crucial role in rebuilding the healthcare workforce after financial crisis-led downsizing. For instance, in 2009, while the native-born population share in the workforce in Detroit declined by 4.3%, immigrant workers increased by 24.7%. Similarly, hospitals in rural areas heavily rely on immigrant workers because areas with a declining population do not provide adequate local training. Therefore, immigrant workers account for some of the only trained professionals available, as local investments in training do not occur. Healthcare facilities are also among the largest employers in many small towns, which often rely on new immigrants to fill these jobs and help boost the local economy. Newcomers generally seek employment and housing in areas with already-established immigrant populations, as they feel safer and more accepted. To accommodate the needs of immigrant populations, many states enacted policies targeting the rights of immigrants and refugees, including their access to health services. However, the states with the most restrictive policies leave it to the care providers to fill the gaps, affecting the quality and availability of the services provided.

13. Humanitarian Considerations in Immigration Policies

Humanitarian aspects of immigration policies are analyzed with special focus on the issues of immigrants from the perspective of nations’ obligations to act humanely, compassionately and justly towards them. Nations are seen as subjects of ethical considerations in their treatment of all human beings, and particularly with regard to vulnerable groups such as migrants and asylum seekers. The importance of the humanitarian dimension of immigration policies is acknowledged, examining issues such as the dignity, rights and proper treatment of asylum seekers and refugees; the responsibility of states and the international community to protect such persons; the impact of a globalized world on human mobility; and the proper balance between national security objectives and humanitarian obligations (Dauvergne, 1999).

In addition, vulnerable populations such as minors, victims of trafficking, and those sexually exploited or abused are discussed. The need to guarantee and respect the rights and dignity of all persons, regardless of their background, status or situation, is emphasized. Immigration policies are influenced significantly by humanitarian considerations and the moral obligation of states to comply with relevant international human rights standards. Human rights standards provide important guidelines for shaping immigration policy. The issues migrants face and the immigration policies of industrialized countries are high on the political agenda, in light of growing anti-immigrant sentiments and right-wing extremist movements.

Regarding asylum seekers, a wide range of public discussions on human rights violations against such persons; the treatment they should receive; and the criticism directed against some Western nations for their policies are considered. National responses to the mass influx of refugees and the importance of compliance with international humanitarian law are discussed. Public debates often focus on the question of how to accommodate humanitarian obligations while addressing concerns over terrorism and the pressures of globalization on national security. In this context, the role of international and regional human rights instruments in ensuring protection and respect for the rights of migrants and asylum seekers is examined. The responsibility of receiving nations to manage immigration policies that are humane and just is highlighted. Efforts by various non-governmental organizations in advocating these principles are elaborated. Finally, the need to create awareness among the public and educate them on immigration issues to promote a better understanding and empathy for migrants is discussed.

14. Public Opinion and Media Representation of Immigration

Public or mass opinion is an outcome of a complicated exchange model between social activity and individual action through which people examine evaluate and decide on collective issues. Public opinion shapes the media representations of immigration and at the same time is shaped by it (Furgacz, 2017). The term media representations refers to the portrayal of immigrants and immigration as it appears in news outlets, films, and social media. Mainstream media, both broadcast and print, still play a significant role in framing immigration issues primarily because they control the most influential outlets. Because of this controlling aspect, many scholars argue that the media representations of immigration are biased against immigrants. The dominant portrayals create distorted images of immigrant populations by homogenizing and stereotyping them. News coverage commonly depicts immigrants as welfare users, criminals, and terrorists. Films often reinforce similar images, highlighting addictions, juvenile delinquency, and gang violence. Regarding social media, heated debates commonly ensue, with anti-immigrant and far-right groups sharing posts that produce a fear of, and misunderstanding about, immigrant populations. There is no denying that mainstream news coverage on immigration issues often sensationalizes the reporting, for instance, framing asylum seekers as a ‘swarm’ invading the country. This manner of reporting can contribute to worsening public attitudes against immigrants and immigrant hostility.

Countering the mainstream portrayals, grassroots movements and alternative media have appeared, providing their own accounts of immigrant populations. These approaches try to emphasize a multitude of voices rather than singular and centralized ones. While the counter-narratives are important in broadening the discussions regarding media representations of immigration, it should be noted that these narratives are not always innocent or free of biases themselves. Moreover, it is essential to differentiate between alternative outlets run by and for immigrants and those where immigrants are passive spectators. The former provides space for immigrants to express their voices, while the latter reproduces a superior gaze upon immigrant populations where they are portrayed as victims needing assistance. In addition to these debates, it is also important to examine the difference between the public attitudes and the media representations of immigration. While many scholars argue that immigrants have been depicted negatively in the media, public attitudes against immigration have actually improved in the past decade. The media representations of immigration issues are discussed here while noting the critiques of the representations themselves.

15. Immigration and Globalization

The rapid growth of globalization has made the world more interconnected than before. As a result, what happens in one country can easily influence events in another. Immigration is one of the consequences of this global connectedness. People leave their countries to work, study, and settle elsewhere. (Todria, 2017). This is a significant increase compared to 173 million international migrants in 2000. Having a more mobile population is often seen as a good thing. However, immigration can cause enormous problems, especially for the host countries.

Most immigrants go to countries that offer more economic opportunities. Immigration is thus facilitated by the desire of countries to develop their economies. This explains the 'pull factor' of immigration. On the other hand, developing countries are often subject to trade agreements they did not initiate and cannot refuse. These trade agreements can lead to job losses in certain sectors and increase poverty in underdeveloped nations. As a consequence, people leave those countries in search of better opportunities elsewhere. Thus, economic forces are often behind the immigration flow and, crucially, outside the control of individual migrants. Many countries try to control immigration by signing bilateral agreements with countries of origin, enabling them to foster development where it is most needed. However, as globalization brings countries closer together, the link between cultural exchange and the movement of people often goes unnoticed. Immigrants leaving their countries in a cultural embrace with the host populations often escape understanding. Countries become concerned about the immigration flows that did not happen before. Nevertheless, fixed cultural boundaries never existed, and empires draw new maps of the world that once fell into their domains. More often than not, people's movements simply followed those cultural transfers between states.

16. Immigration Policies in Different Countries

A comparative study with focus on Spain sheds light on the difficulty of managing immigration. Immigration policies affect national economies and regulatory regimes significantly. However, countries facing similar issues approach immigration differently. Immigration policies seek to influence, control, or address the impacts of immigration in a set of national systems. Political debate focuses on whether laws and policies shape the immigration context. It is better to view immigration policies as a choice among the available options rather than a choice of influence. Countries devise a range of policies, laws, and contractual or regulatory mechanisms that affect immigration, each giving different meanings to citizenship and residency.

In the late 1990s, concerns about the impact of immigration on national economies and systems prompted governments to adopt policies that restrict immigration or increase control (Esteves et al., 2003). Australia, Canada, and the United States expanded immigration while tightening control. Mexico liberalized immigration, but controls increased. In Europe, shared concerns over ‘illegal immigration’ led to a series of cooperative agreements with origin countries. Despite efforts to learn from each other, countries and states facing similar immigration problems designed policies that seemed to take little account of the experiences of others. For example, Spain’s concern with Latin American immigration contrasted sharply with Italy’s refusal to recognize the problem of irregular Asian immigration and the United Kingdom’s disregard for the possible impacts of European immigration. The goal was to focus attention on the results of immigration policy choices.

17. The Ethics of Immigration Policies

Importantly, ethical considerations surrounding immigration policies must be deliberated. What is just or fair for and from immigrants, and what framework governs the human rights of each person in relation to immigration policies? As nations implement immigration laws, there are moral imperatives that these policies must tend to. Since immigration policies are, by custom, nationally held, nations hold responsibilities in regard to the immigration policies that frame the rights of immigrant populations. In policy enforcement, a dilemma arises in the deportation of immigrants. Deportation practices often violate the individual rights of immigrants, but there are responsibilities nations have to protect their citizens from other nations infringing upon their rights (Risse, 2009). The continuation of policies that individually undermine immigrant rights, like deportation practices, may only perpetuate a chain of new violations. Furthermore, the enforcement of laws to detain spaces where individuals’ rights are violated must also be interrogated. Essentially, there is a profound law and morality conflict wherein national interests need be protected, yet individual rights are at stake.

In much of the western world, like the United States, public sentiment is often in favor of maintaining the enforcement of immigration policies at a moral cost. Even in the face of such widely publicly condemned immigrant rights violations as abuse in detention centers, deportation of those recognized as having no criminal charge, and the separation of children from parents, immigration policy advocacy often emphasizes the necessity of upholding the law rather than humanitarian concerns. Nevertheless, there is consideration as to how policies could be ethically reformed, but within a public sentiment framework that seeks to keep questionable laws in place. To cope with rights violations, new policies must be implemented that reform existing policies to better protect rights rather than basing new policy solely on the question of violations. Consequently, the rules of immigration policy enforcement must be tempered and restructured so that, at the least, vulnerability to discrimination or marginalization of exposed populations does not occur. Ultimately, it is necessary that ethical frameworks be incorporated within immigration policy so that questions of justice are made central, needing continual consideration in policy debates. Most pressingly, existing practices in the heed of ethics need be remedied or reevaluated so that compliance with humanitarian standards is met.

18. Future Trends and Challenges in Immigration

Immigration will enter new phases and face new challenges in the coming decades. There may be some emerging trends and issues in immigration that are likely to shape policy responses. Firstly, demographic factors are likely to influence future migration flows. Most current destination countries have ageing populations with declining fertility rates, while many countries of origin have youthful populations with high fertility rates. This ‘demographic imbalance’ will generate pressure for migration into many developed countries, particularly in Europe (Mahia et al., 2010). Secondly, technological developments are likely to affect future immigration. New information and communication technologies facilitate connection between potential migrants and their families or networks in destination countries. Similarly, transport technology improvements often make it easier and cheaper for potential migrants to reach distant countries. However, there is also a downside, as technology makes it easier for governments to detect and monitor irregular migration. Thirdly, domestic changes in the global political climate are likely to reposition some countries as immigration destination countries.

Proposed policies on how countries should respond to climate change indicate that environmental degradation is likely to have a considerable impact on displacement. Even with the most optimistic projections of future climate change, tens of millions of people are likely to be displaced by changing weather patterns, rising sea levels, and related pressures on food and water supplies. Many other environmental factors, such as soil degradation, desertification, and population growth, can exacerbate migration pressures. If past experience is a guide, such flows are likely to be largely internal rather than across borders, but some areas may see significant international migration waves. This is particularly true for developing countries wanting to migrate to developed countries, which are seen as having more resources to adjust to climate change. There are ongoing debates about the impact of immigration on labour markets that are likely to be reinvigorated in the wake of profound economic change. Furthermore, recent increases in numbers and media visibility have again raised questions about immigration’s humanitarian aspects, particularly concerning asylum seekers and the needs of vulnerable migrant groups. New immigration crises often provoke calls for renewed governmental intervention or the reform of existing response mechanisms, despite the historical paradox that crises expose the shortcomings of systems meant to protect migrants. Global crises provoke innovation in immigration systems, often in the form of new public policies, administrative procedures, or technologies. Innovations may simply be at the national policy level or involve the creation of new regional frameworks for immigration governance. Efforts to streamline immigration processing are often promising, such as using digital systems to track the movement of displaced people or developing systems to assess eligibility for different types of protection needs. However, such systems may also complicate access to the immigration system for some vulnerable groups if they rely too heavily on path-dependent bureaucratic procedures. In recent conflicts, concerns have also arisen about how to ensure equity of access in processing refugee claims when initial processing off-shore is preferred by states seeking to contain arrivals. Systems response to humanitarian crises often rely on data analytics to monitor migration flows or determine integrated responses across different policy areas. In principle, data-driven processes should lead to faster and more equitable outcomes as more information should reduce discretion and uncertainty in decision-making. However, there are often disparities in data availability and understanding across systems, limiting coherence and leading to new blind spots. There will likely be further pressure for immigration policies to be adaptable to changing contexts, especially if potential shock events are being ranged as a significant challenge to prevailing immigration arrangements. Given the remote and unforeseen nature of shocks, it is difficult for most systems to prepare adequately beyond establishing general resilience mechanisms. It is worth noting that shocks often reshape the overarching political context in which policies operate and thereby affect their effectiveness. A general feature of past shock events is the relative ineffectiveness of national responses until crises have either escalated dramatically or attracted high-profile political attention. In the coming decades, immigration will continue to progress but face new problems. Globalization has resulted in many phenomena that are transnational in nature, beyond the control of any individual nation-state. Whether it is a social movement, financial crisis, or epidemic, on some occasions, responses are sought through global cooperation. However, cooperation has often proven difficult, and, where it exists, it often takes a weak or minimal form. Most still occur at the national level, often with great sensitivity as governments try to balance domestic needs with external pressures. This is especially true for immigration, a policy area that remains at the heart of national sovereignty. Still, ongoing globalization will continue to generate pressure for transnational approaches to tackling some immigration problems and controlling new trends.

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19. Conclusion and Recommendations

This essay has explored the complex impact and controversies surrounding immigration. As a multifaceted phenomenon, immigration profoundly affects individuals and society as a whole, presenting both challenges and opportunities. Understanding the diverse influences and perspectives on immigration is crucial for addressing its consequences and shaping appropriate policies. Immigration policy frameworks are shaped by a variety of factors, including economic, social, humanitarian, and security considerations, as well as the political landscape and public attitudes towards migration. In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, the European Union is reevaluating its immigration policies, balancing the need for socio-economic recovery and labor market support with public concerns over security and integration. The United States is also reexamining its immigration policies following the 2020 presidential transition and the pandemic. At the same time, the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development emphasizes the need to promote humane, orderly, and safe migration at local, national, and global levels. Within this context, policymakers are faced with the challenge of creating immigration policy frameworks that are inclusive, effective, and respectful of human rights (D. Ybarra, 2015). Addressing this challenge requires the adoption of an evidence-based approach in the development of immigration policies. It is essential to ensure that policy formulation processes rely on the best available evidence regarding the impacts and effectiveness of different policy options. Furthermore, care must be taken to incorporate a wide range of perspectives, particularly those of affected individuals and communities. The impacts of immigration, migration, and mobility vary widely depending on an individual’s characteristics, social position, and circumstances, as well as the contexts in which people move. Policymakers should pay particular attention to the impacts of immigration policies on vulnerable groups, such as children, youth, refugees and asylum seekers, victims of trafficking, and low-skilled migrants. Public dialogue and education should also be promoted on immigration, migration, and mobility issues. Concerns related to immigration and migration often arise from a lack of information and understanding rather than the substance of concerns themselves. Recognizing this, policy efforts should focus on enhancing public understanding of the complex implications of immigration and addressing misconceptions. The importance of stronger international cooperation in developing responses to global challenges relating to immigration, migration, and mobility is also emphasized. Many immigration-related issues, such as protection needs, public health concerns, and the trafficking of people, involve cross-border movements and, therefore, require a coordinated international effort. Policy responses to such issues should take account of the links between different geographical contexts and levels of governance. Finally, it is asserted that well-designed immigration, migration, and mobility policies can positively benefit individuals and society as a whole. Immigration is often perceived to have negative consequences. Nevertheless, it is important to recognize that migration can open up opportunities for individuals and that well-managed migration can be to the benefit of all stakeholders involved. Thoughtful immigration policies, based on a clear understanding of the impacts of immigration and an awareness of potential risks, can significantly contribute to an individual’s and society’s well-being.

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Argumentative Essay On Immigration. (2024, March 05). GradesFixer. Retrieved February 17, 2025, from https://gradesfixer.com/free-essay-examples/argumentative-essay-on-immigration/
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