Written by: MASOOD AHMED, LLM 3TH SEMESTER, KALINGA UNIVERSITY, NAYA RAIPUR
Immigration and border contract refers to policies and practice relating to the control over the movement of persons across national borders. Immigration is entry of any country by a person with the purpose of settling there either permanently or temporarily, Border control are measures put to observe the flow of people into and out of a country across its borders and involves scrutiny of documents, the use of technology in the form of biometric identification systems as well as border patrols, immigration and border control are often formed by the economic, social, and political priorities of a nation and also its security concerns, immigration and border control policies are usages of governments to manage the inflow and outflow of people within borders, control numbers, and kinds of people allowed to enter a country and ensure that those that enter comply with country's law and regulations.
These are controversial policies between, for example the issue of whether to allow many immigrants in a country or not, who should be granted visas and citizenship criteria, and what measures to take on national security. The effectiveness of these policies is also an issue of debate, since while some argue that it is the stricter border controls that would check illegal immigration and guard national security while going against others who say that such policies can be discriminatory and violate the rights of migrants and refugees.
THE DEBATE OVER IMMIGRATION AND BORDER CONTROL IN THE UNITED STATES
Immigration and border control are a topic that has been at the centre of debate in the United States for the majority of its history. The debate concerns the number of immigrants to be accorded entry, how they should be processed, and the manner through which the borders should be secured. While there are strong proponents arguing that some restrictions need to be tightened for the sake of ensuring the country's national security and to protect jobs, the United States needs to embrace its identity as a nation of immigrants and open its borders up to more people, one of the strongest arguments against.
One of the most common complaints from immigration critics is that immigrants are stealing away jobs from American-born citizens. Those who believe this fact make the argument that immigrants can take jobs for a much lower wage, thus making it that much harder for Americans to get employment opportunities. However, research has already proved that this argument cannot stand, since most immigrants are taking jobs that Americans will not do, like agriculture and service industries.
Another reason against immigration is the threat it poses to national security. The proponents of this aspect argue that the borders might be a pathway for terrorists and criminals into America, which puts them in danger. True, some imported terrorism and crimes are committed by immigrants, but by and large the majority of immigrants are law-abiding citizens that add to the economy in contrast, immigration proponents argue that immigration is an intrinsic part of the American identity. They deem it fitting that the United States should still accept immigrants from around the globe and give them the same opportunities which have made America great. Additionally, they argue that immigrants make up a very valuable aspect of the American workforce and greatly contribute to the economy
One of the most contested issues within the immigration debate is border control. Reasons supporting tighter border control are founded on these grounds: a country needs a wall to protect itself from illegal immigration, drug trafficking, and other criminal activities. A physical wall is required to protect American citizens from illegal immigration as well as other crimes, according to the need proposed by border control supporters. According to opposers, border control is useless and costly. For one, they would consider that the money used for a physical wall would have better use elsewhere, say, to improve education and healthcare. In addition, they would believe that a physical wall would not be able to keep off heavily bent people who want to pierce their way into the country illegally, because other mechanisms would be used to get past the border.
The US immigration and border control controversy is in itself a multilayered thing. Whereas there are arguable points on both sides of the issue, consideration of the policy issues at stake for the American workforce and those millions more hoping to find a better life in the United States must be balanced, and we can realistically only hope for a solution that serves the needs of all Americans through thoughtful consideration and respectful dialogue.
IMMIGRATION AND BORDER CONTROL IN INDIA
In India, immigration and border control have become recent concerns. It shares boundaries with a number of countries like Pakistan, China, Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan, and Myanmar. With growing challenges in the management of human and material flow across these borders, illegal immigrants crossing borders from neighbouring countries, especially Bangladesh, is one of the main issues related to immigration and border control in India. It is estimated that there are millions of undocumented immigrants, many of whom are working in low-wage jobs, living in towns and towns across the country.
Some of the steps that the government of India could undertake to help curb illegal immigration include the construction of a fence at some parts of the Bangladesh border, increased border patrols. Again, it has proposed a National Register of Citizens, in which every citizen is supposed to prove his citizenship. The NRC has been controversial with its detractors referencing it as exclusionary and likely to unleash "persecution of Muslims and other minorities." Beyond the illegal immigrant issue, India also has concerns related to the effective movement of people across its borders consistent with legitimate activities such as trade and tourism. The country has electronic visa systems for specific countries, a step that allows visitors to apply and obtain their visas online. However, there have been issues related to the process because of complications in acquiring a visa, not forgetting the security of personal data submitted as part of the application.
Not less demanding in terms of the challenge is the treatment of refugees and immigrants, on which rests the credibility of India with regard to border control. Historically, the country has provided a heaven for those refugees fleeing persecution and warfare in its own nations; however, it seems that recent positions taken by the government vis-à-vis this aspect are changing. More recently, there have been serious criticisms of India pertaining to the treatment accorded to Rohingya refugees from Myanmar, detained, and even deported.
Immigration and border control are two of the most important issues in India, for the country is geographically placed and has been known to give refuge to whomever needed it. The government has put in place measures to check illegal immigrants and make checks at borders. Still, the location of refugees, on whom discrimination is likely to continue to fall, particularly upon minority groups, exists. Policymakers need to find a solution that will balance security interests with the protection of human rights and the rule of law.
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