Two major periods of immigration influxes since the turn of the century as well as the transformation of the nation due to both illegal and legal immigration have determined large
Hispanic communities in many Western states. States like Texas, for example, have struggled to define increasingly complex Hispanic communities and create a response, both in the government and in law enforcement, for addressing the needs of these large Hispanic communities.
In recent years, an obvious dichotomous view has come to the forefront of national debates about the composition of Hispanic communities in border states and the conflicts have arisen over immigrant and citizen rights, the rights of the Hispanic Americans community as a whole, the negative correlates attached to cultural and language differences, and the role of law enforcement officers, both of Hispanic and non-Hispanic decent, in addressing these problems.
Views of Immigration
Though varied communities have existed in cities like El Paso, Pecos, and Rio Del for decades, changes in immigration, both legal and illegal, have impacted the demographic characteristics of a number of West Texas cities and towns and has underscored divisions between predominant White (European American) communities and predominantly Hispanic communities. Large-scale increases in immigration from Latin American countries in Texas in general has gained national attention, but it has also been recognized that cities like El Paso have had a considerable Hispanic community since their founding and this provides a substantial base for the integration of a modern and central
Hispanic community.
In 1996 alone, 1.2 million legal and illegal immigrants moved into the United States, primarily into urban regions of
New York New Jersey, Florida and Illinois, and in urban and rural regions of California and Texas (especially in border cities like El Paso,
Peco, Presidio and Rio Del) (Andrews and Knack, 1997). Of this number,
916,000 individuals were legal arrivals, while over 275,000 illegal immigrants also immigrated to these same regions (Andrews and Knack, 1997).
Though immigration limitati...
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...mericans and illegal immigrants, and have allowed for defenses of activities by border patrol agents that would not be tolerated if enacted against any other population in the
United States.
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World Magazine, v25 n3, pp. 5(1).
A leading American historian on race, policing, immigration, and incarceration in the United States, Kelly Lytle Hernandez’s Migra! A History of the U.S. Border Patrol tells the story of how Mexican immigrant workers emerged as the primary target of the United States Border Patrol and how, in the process, the United States Border Patrol shaped the history of race in the United States. Migra! also explores social history, including the dynamics of Anglo-American nativism, the power of national security, and labor-control interests of capitalistic development in the American southwest. In short, Migra! explains
To citizens, Darren Wilson killed Michael Brown of out racial prejudice. To police officers, Darren Wilson killed Michael Brown out of self defense. The media focused mainly on the citizens negative reactions, consequently labeling Darren Wilson as a racist murderer. The officer received numerous death threats, putting his life in danger. Ben Brumfield and Brian Todd, reporters for CNN state, “Fellow officers have been by [Darren Wilson’s] side day and night, as deadly threats have driven the former Ferguson police officer into hiding…” This is a prime example that media can ruin the lives of officers, as well as put them in legitimate
Smith T., 2006, The root causes of Immigration, Justice for Immigration a journey of hope, Catholic Conference of Kentucky
United States Border Patrol has been around since 1904 enforcing and regulating laws under the immigration and Nationality Act. U.S. border patrol is now under the Department of Homeland Security, which was created as a response to the attacks of September 11, 2001. Over the years, their jurisdiction and missions have changed to better protect the safety of nation. Although border patrol is a need for any nation, their extensive acceptations to constitutional laws can often be taken advantage of. The mission of the U.S. border patrol should be to prevent illegal aliens, which are a threat to American society, from reaching their purpose. Frequently, their purpose can be confused or executed in a bias manner.
As Americans, we like to believe that the U.S. is the greatest country in the world. There is more freedom, protection, and benefits that are ideal for someone who is looking to improve their life. However, our country is not perfect and there is one issue that has become quite controversial over the last few years: immigration. More specifically, immigration into Texas. The concept of immigration should not be looked upon as a problem. Our country was founded on immigration so it is not something that we aren’t familiar with. It is when people cross into the U.S. illegally that is the problem and one that should not be taken lightly.
The Border Patrol is a strategic group of specially trained people who prevent terrorists and terrorist’s weapons, including weapons of mass destruction, from entering the United States. The Border Patrol is specifically responsible for patrolling nearly 6,000 miles of Mexican and Canadian international land borders and over 2,000 miles of coastal waters surrounding the Florida Peninsula and the island of Puerto Rico. Agents work around the clock on assignments, in all types of terrain and weather conditions. Agents also work in many isolated communities throughout the United States.
Dougherty, Jon E. 2004 “Illegal: The Imminent Threat Posed by Our Unsecured U.S.-Mexico Border” Publisher: Thomas Nelson.
Crean, Tom, and Will Soto. "Immigration and the Class Struggle in the US." Socialist Alternative. Committee for a Workers' International, 1 Apr. 2007. Web. 20 Nov. 2013.
“They are willing to sell themselves in order to find a better life for themselves or
What would it be like to wake up everyday knowing you would get bullied, mistreated, and/or abused just because of where you were born? Discrimination still exists! “Discrimination remains and there is an increase in hate crimes against Hispanics, Latinos and Mexican-Americans, as one of the perceived symbols of that discrimination, the U.S.-Mexico Border Fence, nears completion. Instead of pulling together in these difficult times, we may see a greater polarization of attitudes” (Gibson). But why are hate crimes increasing towards Latin and Hispanic aliens and what types of discrimination are occurring against them? Understanding violence towards the Hispanic and Latin alien is divided into three main classes; the difference between legal and illegal aliens, the attacks and effects, and the point of view of different people towards aliens.
Immigration has changed the demographics of the US. It has contributed to a massive growth of the US population. The inflow of immigrants has added a good mix of various ethnic and racial groups to the US population. The immigrant groups have had a tremendous impact on the social, cultural, economic and political landscape of the US.
Wellman, Christopher, and Phillip Cole. Debating the Ethics of Immigration is There a Right ti Exclude?. New York : Oxford University Press, 2011. Print.
Wilcox, Walter F. 1929. “Migrations According to International Statistics: Continental Migrations.” National Bureau of Economic Research I:219-227.
Social Science Research, 38, 717-731. http://journals2.scholarsportal.info.libaccess.lib.mcmaster.ca/tmp/9506051508484483171.pdf. Nielsen, A. L., & Martinez, R. (2011). Nationality, immigrant groups, and arrests. Examining the diversity of arrests for urban violent crime.
While people immigrating to the United States are often searching for better economic situations or to be reunited with family members, they are instead thrown into a system that has had a history of retaliating against them for searching for a better life. The United States has always had a difficult relationship with immigration, both needing it to promote growth in economic and demographic spheres while also using it as an easy scapegoat for many of the country’s problems. Once within the U.S. borders, immigrants are expected to conform, or assimilate, to the country’s standards and ideals, which also includes adapting to the racialized system that controls much of the politics and day to day life of American citizens. Suddenly, immigrants