Liberals often view their support for open borders as a compassionate act, but this belief underlines a troubling paradox. Their policies inadvertently foster a landscape ripe for crime, exploitation, and suffering among migrants. With unyielding evidence from the UN Office on Drugs and Crime and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, it is clear that illegal immigration facilitates a range of abuses that undermine the very values these supporters claim to uphold.
Illegal immigration has spiraled into a multibillion-dollar enterprise dominated by human smugglers—often referred to as coyotes—who prey on vulnerable individuals. These smugglers not only exploit migrants financially, demanding payment that often exceeds thousands of dollars, but they also subject them to horrendous conditions along the journey. The numbers are staggering: reports mark the southern border as the deadliest migration route globally, with countless individuals facing starvation, extortion, or violence at the hands of their smugglers.
In the midst of these brutal realities, many migrants endure what the UNODC refers to as “extreme human rights abuses.” Women and girls fleeing violence can become victims of sexual assault, facing horrific treatment by smugglers who demand payment in the form of sexual favors. For many, this ends in trauma and debt, leaving them unable to seek help due to their undocumented status.
Moreover, as illegal crossings continue, the cycle of exploitation becomes self-perpetuating. Once inside the United States, migrants—often fearful of deportation—are subjected to wage theft and labor abuse. Reports indicate they earn significantly below market rates, which undermines their economic potential and negatively impacts American workers. Individuals with disregard for the law are now exploiting both their fellow migrants and American citizens.
Tom Homan, who serves as the border czar, has noted, “A secure border saves lives.” In his view, the enforcement of immigration laws serves a dual purpose: protecting lives and maintaining the integrity of the system. Homan’s perspective reflects a belief often overlooked in discussions surrounding immigration. Enforcement not only upholds the law but provides a safeguard for genuine asylum seekers who might be lost amid fraudulent claims made by economic migrants.
Additionally, policies of non-enforcement distort the reality of American asylum law. Legitimate claims become lost in a sea of abuse, diverting resources from deserving refugees and overwhelming the system with unfounded requests. Some individuals even conspire with smugglers to rent or sell their own children to feign family connections, a strategy that further complicates an already challenging landscape.
The consequences of lax border policies stretch far and wide, reaching back to historical legislation such as the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986. That attempt at immigration reform, which provided amnesty to millions, is now viewed as a key turning point that fostered the very crisis it sought to resolve. Rather than curtailing illegal immigration, the policy signaled a willingness to overlook lawbreaking, incentivizing further violations.
In the face of these realities, calls for compassion must be reexamined. Any disruption caused by law enforcement actions should not fall exclusively on those enforcing the law; instead, it is essential to consider the actions of those who chose to violate it. For example, the notion that deportation is inherently harmful fails to acknowledge the rightful consequences of criminal acts. As Homan stated, “Is that the message you send to the whole world?” Such inquiries are critical when discussing the balance between compassion and lawful conduct.
In the ongoing debate over immigration, the need for accountability and enforcement cannot be overshadowed by the misguided notion of compassion. The moral ground must prioritize the safety of all individuals—both American citizens and legal migrants—while holding those who exploit the system to account. Only then can a constructive path forward be forged, addressing the complex issue of immigration without sacrificing the rule of law.
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