Crossing the Border, Essay Example

The problem with allowing Mexican Trucks to cross the US Border unimpeded creates the following significant issues for the US Border patrols:

1. It might prove to be a conduit for illegal immigration to the USA
2. It might allow the smuggling of drugs, contraband or weapons into the USA
3. It might facilitate export of terrorists or terrorist materials into the USA

Considering each of these issues in turn:

Illegal Immigration Into the USA

Most Mexicans trying to enter the USA illegally do so because of the poverty in Mexican Cities and the desire for a better life in the USA. ” For many generations Mexicans have illegally crossed the border into the United States. Reasons for the high rate of migration from Mexico include the close proximity of Mexico to the U.S. and the noticeable difference in the quality of life between the two countries. Many individuals come from poverty-stricken towns in Mexico and desire to come to the United States to achieve the “American dream.” (US Immigration Support).

The situation of illegal immigrants from Mexico is a serious one and it is improving an almost impossible task to keep this in check. Consider ” Ten million illegal immigrants live in the US, according to estimates by academic and government agencies, although Bear-Stearns investment firm analysts claim that the US illegal immigrant population “may be as high as 20 million people.” (White)

The Smuggling of Drugs and Contraband Into the USA

There has been a proven link between Cuba and that of external terrorist groups using Mexico as a conduit for transportation of drugs and weaponry into the USA. ” Cancun’s former mayor, Gregorio Sánchez, who was also running for governor of Mexico’s state of Quintana Roo (which includes Cancun and the Caribbean “Mexican Riviera”), was arrested and charged with a string of crimes including money-laundering and trafficking in drugs and illegal immigrants” (Fontova).  In addition smuggling of Narcotics to the USA from both Mexico and South American Countries has proven to be lucrative business. Arizona seems to be the most vulnerable entry point to the USA.

Export of Terrorists or Terrorist Materials Into the USA

After 9/11 there remains a real level of concern about undesirable elements getting into the USA and Mexico is one of the most vulnerable entry points ” Thousands of illegal aliens apprehended along the 2,000 mile border stretching through California, Arizona, New Mexico and Texas aren’t even from Mexico. The U.S. Border Patrol calls them “Other Than Mexicans,” or OTMs, and many are citizens of countries that are sponsors of terrorism.” (Schilling).

One of the potential threats is the creation of “sleeper cells” of illegal terrorists who establish themselves in communities with intention to do harm at a later date. ” We have left the back door to the United States open,” former Rep. J.D. Hayworth told the station. “We have to understand that there are definitely people who mean to do us harm who have crossed that border.” (Schilling)

Works Cited

Fontova, Humberto. Is Cuba Smuggling Terrorists into the U.S. through Mexico and Arizona? 11 6 2010. 27 6 2010 <http://www.americanthinker.com/2010/06/is_cuba_smuggling_terrorists_i.html>.

Schilling, Chelsea. Foreign ‘terrorists’ breach U.S. border. 20 5 2010. 27 6 2010 <http://socialismisnottheanswer.wordpress.com/2010/05/20/foreign-terrorists-breach-u-s-border/>.

US Immigration Support. US Immigration Support. 2010. 27 6 2010 <http://www.usimmigrationsupport.org/illegal-immigration-from-mexico.html>.

White, Deborah. Illegal Immigration Explained – Profits & Poverty, Social Security & Starvation. 2010. 27 6 2010 <http://usliberals.about.com/od/immigration/a/IllegalImmi.htm>.