When it comes to American security, a secure border between the United States and Mexico is a necessity. In order to ensure the safety and security of all Americans, as well as their economic prosperity, America’s doors must be locked at night. Yet for some reason, border security and illegal immigration had become a political issue rather than an American one. Republicans, and the republican nominee Donald Trump, have been attacked for believing that a completed border is a necessity for security and prosperity. When looking at statistics regarding illegal immigration though, the figures make it clear that border security is not racism, but patriotism.
There are many ways that illegals enter the country, one of the primary methods being crossing the US-Mexican border. Current figures estimate that there are 11 million illegals in the country, about 60% coming across the border with the other 40% overstaying visas (Poli Fact).
One main concern regarding illegal immigrants is that many are involved in gang and criminal activity. MS-13, one of the most violent gangs in America, is made up 90% of undocumented immigrants. These gangs deal drugs, assault women, and commit crimes such as robbery and arson (Civitas Institute). According to the National Gang Intelligence Center (NGIC), 80% of crime in the US is conducted by gang members, many of whom are illegal immigrants from Mexico (Judicial Watch).
In addition, federal investigators estimate that approximately 2.2 million kilograms of cocaine were smuggled into the United States across the Mexican border in 2005, a figure that has likely gotten even higher over the past ten years. Even more concerning, out of the 2,200 people who were handed federal sentences for drug possession in 2014, nearly three-quarters of them were illegal immigrants (Washington Examiner). Men and women all across the nation are dying from overdoses, the drugs being supplied by Mexico.
To top that all off, murder statistics illustrate the disturbing amount of crime undocumented immigrants bring. Between 2008 and 2014, 40% of all murder convictions in Florida and 34% In New York were by immigrants, 90% of them illegal. Texas also is strongly affected, with the Texas Department of Public Safety reporting that between 2008 and 2014, 35% of the all murder convictions were handed to illegals (Breibart).
Illegal immigrants also harm the US economy, as many illegals do not pay taxes, and many who do recoup the money when they file tax returns. Illegal immigration costs U.S. taxpayers approximately $113 billion per year, meaning that each household loses about $1,117 because of illegals (Federation for American Immigration Reform). According to data collected by scholar Robert Rector, for every illegal immigrant family that leaves the US under Donald Trump’s plan, Americans would recoup nearly three-quarters of a million dollars ($719,350).
These concerning figures illustrate that the individual we elect for the presidency needs to be serious about ending illegal immigration. However, only one of the two main candidates has promised to do so.
While some have found Trump too blunt when discussing illegal immigration, Hillary Clinton has demonstrated that she doesn’t find illegal immigration a concern. She invited illegals to the Democratic Convention, has promised to give amnesty to undocumented aliens, and has supported sanctuary cities. She is against building a wall or even putting effort into finishing the fence.
Trump on the other hand has discussed the importance of building a wall and ensuring individuals are not overstaying their visas by utilizing E-Verify. This isn’t about attacking Mexicans; it’s about ensuring that dangerous individuals are no longer entering our country. Trump, as well as republicans, have the upmost respect for individuals who leave behind everything to come to America LEGALLY. However, letting millions of individuals flow into our country, from ISIS members to drug dealers, is harming both natural born citizens and legal Americans.
Letting illegals enter and stay in America is a reckless policy that causes security and economic issues, and we must elect a president who will take the problem of illegal immigration seriously and work to end it once and for all. Our country is one the line.
Carissa Jones is a secondary Ed, history, political science major. She is President of the BU College Republicans.
