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CWA # 40, 14 July 2018
United States
Zero Tolerance on Illegal Immigration: Explaining Trump’s strategy and the American Spirit

  Rahul Arockiaraj

Illegal immigration is illegal and must be contained and prevented. However, beyond this very reasonable assertion, the present administration's attitude toward illegal immigration is hostile, almost as if those of different cultures are not welcome.

Rahul Arockiaraj is a first-year student at Brandeis University, Boston, Massachusetts.

After a public uproar over the revelation of inhumane conditions separating children from the parents along the America-Mexico border, President Trump signed an executive order to cease the camps from operating further. The story was yet another chance for the media to bash at the Trump administration and its continued discrimination and ill-treatment of specific ethnic groups.

However, beyond the gruesome pictures and CNN's comparison of present day's border patrol to Japanese internment camps in America's dark past, it is important to understand why this happened in the first place. Trump isn't the only one to blame.

Why did this happen?

The Trump administration had vowed to have a 'zero-tolerance' standard for illegal immigration while campaigning last year, something that is in reasonable accordance with the conservative values of the Republican party. However, what differentiated Trump from the other Republican Presidents was his rhetoric; more specifically his "us vs them" approach. Whether it be the blatantly discriminate travel ban or the proposed wall to be built along the border, Trump made headlines left and right. This stark contrast in rhetoric has led the way to further discrimination and racism.

More American citizens and government officials are under the impression: "If the President can be racist, then why shouldn't I?" Trump's rhetoric created a rift that set the American mindset a couple decades back eventually leading to the present day's treatment of immigrant along the border

However, it is essential to note that these methods were also carried out by the pro-immigration Obama administration, which means that Trump's rhetoric isn't the only reason why this has happened. The other cause of this is the lack of supplies and facilities for border patrol. The Obama administration gave minimal resources to border patrol which has led to the inhumane camp conditions displayed in the pictures and the separation of parents and children

Furthermore, it is a combination of Trump's rhetoric that sparked debate and lack of resources put into border patrol that has led to the poor conditions of these camps where parents and children are separated.

The US Public Reaction

From Hillary Clinton to Kevin Hart, celebrities and citizens alike took a stance against the treatment of immigrants at the border. All those, no matter their stance on immigration agreed that a violation of human rights was a problem that needed to be addressed immediately. Once again, the people's platform of social media successfully pushed for the eventual executive order to cease the organization of this camp.

However, a week after pictures and further information were released and Trump's executive order went into place, attention to the issue disappeared. Most people believed that after Trump's order, things would change, but this is not the case. There have to be substantial changes to the structure of border patrol. Some retired government officials have stated that border patrol's methods are outdated and completely inefficient. Fixing this issue takes a lot more than one executive order and the American public should continue to use social media to fight for the life, liberty, and pursuit of happiness that is written in our Declaration of Independence.

What does this mean for the Idea of the USA?

A country that is filled with different cultures, languages, and ethnic groups, America is a land of immigrants. It is the bright beacon that attracts all kinds of people from all over the world. So why is there so much negativity toward immigration from a neighbouring country?

The short answer is that illegal immigration is illegal and thus must be contained and prevented. However, beyond this very reasonable assertion, the present administration's attitude toward illegal immigration is extremely hostile, almost as if those of different cultures are not welcome. American civilization itself is a bunch of different bubbles with different people. What might seem like a myriad of different cultures and people is actually many different separations and divisions joined together by 50 states? This 'bubble society' is the core reason why anything that is different or 'other' is directed with hostility. Nevertheless, there have been some uniting forms of communication such as Twitter campaigns and online petitions that have brought all these different people together. The public's recent uproar against these inhumane camps originated from the Internet and social media, both of which have been decreasing the tension that illegal immigration has created.

As a first-generation Indian American, I believe I have a sense of patriotism to this country equal to those that have been here for multiple generations. This shared passion for equality and justice for all, themes which the lady in blue (statue of liberty) and the rich American history emulate, are consistent in all citizens. As was taught to all of us, ALL MEN ARE CREATED EQUAL, if that is true, then there are no bubbles that separate us, just a flag with 13 stripes and 50 stars that unites us. The next step in heightening equity and humanity is to understand that all of us have the same level of patriotism and valour as the next. The Lady in Blue isn't just a statue; she is a symbol of hope, unity, and peace. Something that will be present in the red white and blue of this county, no matter the president or administration in charge.

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