Notably, the United States has remained a favorite destination for migrants from all over the globe. In 2018, most migrants came from El Salvador, Honduras, and Guatemala, known colloquially as the “Northern Triangle countries.” The goal of the National Immigration Forum’s paper was to describe ‘push’ and ‘pull’ factors, show facts on immigration to the United States, and explore the primary rationale for immigration. People move for several causes, which “can be conceptualized in two general terms: “push” and “pull” factors” (National Immigration Forum 2). For instance, “push” factors are conditions in migrants’ homeland that make it extremely difficult to live there, but “pull” characteristics in the destination country make it a more attractive place to live than their countries of origin. According to the National Immigration Forum, the number of migrants from the Northern Triangle countries has surpassed the number of migrants from Mexico since 2016 (3). The socioeconomic factors, low level of security, and legal protection force people to migrate.
With significantly high homicide rates, all three Northern Triangle countries are among the most dangerous globally. Gang activity has frequently been identified as one of the primary causes driving homicide rates (National Immigration Forum 8). Essentially, gang activity, when combined with a lack of official involvement, generates a self-perpetuating pattern of chaos and bloodshed. The paper’s authors believe that migrants from the Northern Triangle countries will continue to arrive at the U.S. border unless socioeconomic and safety challenges in their homelands are addressed effectively.
The purpose of the second article written by Adrian Reyna is to draw the attention of members of Congress to the subject of immigrant children’s protection from deportation. Reyna advocates for a Dream Act that includes “no border wall, no more detention, no more deportations for the protections of those impacted” (Reyna 1). According to the petition, Congress must enact the Dream Act without funds for enforcement, which would harm other immigrants.
The third article illustrates the stories of migrants with photographs. The purpose of Sweetland Edwards is to explain the struggles and difficulties migrants face and the reasons that pushed them to move to another country. Most stories show why the families had to escape their homeland; for instance, “their family was forced to flee after a gang threatened to murder the children” (Sweetland Edwards 26). Migrants left their homeland for various reasons: tens of millions traveled to seek better employment, education, or medical care, while tens of millions more had no options (Sweetland Edwards 26). According to studies, native-born U.S. and European populations’ perceptions about immigration in general and the character of new immigrants are typically incorrect. According to Sweetland Edwards, native-born citizens overestimate “how many immigrants live in their own communities” (42). They also underestimate the average immigrant’s abilities and education while exaggerating their impoverishment and reliance on social safety net programs. The question the authors stress today is whether the world will learn to see the massive population of foreign migrants as an opportunity rather than a danger.
For me, a white male living in a small rural community, the issues of misunderstanding the reasons for immigration and the struggles of these people raised by Sweetland Edwards are particularly relevant to my community. Small communities frequently fail to recognize the significance of the human feelings and harsh realities that motivate migration. Immigrants should not be considered a threat because some have no option but to leave their home country to provide a better future for themselves and their children. I believe that destination countries should aid by standardizing migrants’ welcome.
Works Cited
National Immigration Forum. “Push or Pull Factors: What Drives Central American Migrants to the U.S.?” Immigration Forum, 2019. Web.
Reyna, Adrian. “To: Members of Congress, United States Congress. Protect Immigrant Youth: Pass Dream Act Now!”, United We Dream Action. Web.
Sweetland Edwards, Haley. Dividing Lines. The Human Face of Global Migration. Time Inc., 2019.