Sustainability and Immigration

http://www.azcentral.com/news/articles/2010/04/23/20100423arizona-immigration-law-passed.html#ab=-&dh=www.azcentral.com&dr=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.drudgereport.com%2F&du=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.azcentral.com%2Fnews%2Farticles%2F2010%2F04%2F23%2F20100423arizona-immigration-law-passed.html&dt=Arizona%20governor%20signs%20immigration%20law;%20foes%20promise%20fight&inst=2&lng=en-us&pc=men&pub=azcentral&ssl=0&sid=4bd2883caeb1e327&srf=0.02&srp=0.2&srx=0&ver=152&xck=0&rev=75818&xd=1

Although it is not strictly an environmental issue, illegal immigration is a sustainability issue.  Wheeler (pg. 83) discusses immigration as a "hot-button topic" that must be addressed in relation to population pressures which in turn affect economic, social, and environmental sustainability.  The state of Arizona, as well as the other states that share a border with Mexico, face increasing pressures related to illegal immigration.  Arizona has now taken action to stem the tide of illegal immigrants crossing the border and the resulting social, environmental, and economic problems accompanying the issue. 

Opponents of this legislation view it as a means of discrimination.  However, it is a vital part of reducing the damage caused by illegal immigrants.  Vast areas of the border region suffer significant environmental impacts from the constant stream of illegal immigrants who leave mountains of trash and damage desert ecosystems.  Drug running and human trafficking increase crime and violence not only along the border, but increasingly throughout the border states.  Illegal immigrants with little education or job skills have low incomes and, consequently, do not pay significant amounts of taxes, if any.  In fact, recent calculations by the IRS show that a family of four with an income of $55,000 would receive a refund of all of the federal income taxes they paid plus about $38 through various programs such as the Earned Income Credit and standard deductions.  In addition, children born in the US to illegal immigrants qualify for services and direct support at taxpayer expense.  Because immigrants tend to have more children, this increases the pressure on schools and services for low income residents.

Traditionally, immigration has been a federal issue.  However, federal enforcement has fallen short leaving states to pay the social and economic costs of large numbers of poorly educated, non-English speaking illegal immigrants.  These costs include education, medical care, social services, crime, and poverty.  This legislation empowers local law enforcement agencies to ask for documentation of suspects' immigration status and make arrests of those who are here illegally.  It also sets penalties including jail time and fines.  Although this is a state law, it addresses the illegal immigration problem at a county and municipal level as well. 

Because of the failures of the federal government to fully address the illegal immigration issue and all of its related problems, state governments are finding it necessary to act on behalf of their residents.  Ideally, the federal government would take strong enough actions to close the border to illegal immigration and assist states with the impacts of illegal immigrants currently in the country.

The problems associated with enforcement of illegal immigration laws at the federal level include lack of political will and the sheer logistics of monitoring the US-Mexico border.  In addition, pressure from the Mexican government can influence the federal government's attitude toward border enforcement.  It is in the best interest of Mexico for the US to allow free movement of Mexican citizens across the border.  When Mexican citizens travel to the US to work, they tend to send much of their income back to Mexico.  They also reduce pressure on Mexico's economic resources when they receive medical care and education at US taxpayer expense.

Much of the economic and social pressures associated with illegal immigration is borne by state and local government.  This creates a greater incentive for these levels of government to develop policies that reduce illegal immigration.  I believe that a coordinated effort at the federal, state, and local level is essential to solving the illegal immigration problem.  The federal government must stop illegal immigration at the border and work with Mexico to alleviate the circumstances that foster illegal immigration.  State and local governments must develop policies that make immigrating illegally unpalatable for immigrants.  In addition, all levels of government need to work together to develop immigration and guest worker programs that create opportunities for immigrants and temporary workers with needed skills to enter the US legally.