In the modern world, the morality and legality of migration are becoming global problems affecting the level of employment, the overall economy and the national security of any country. When the Department of Homeland Security announced a decree to stop the deportation of undocumented young immigrants, this statement was met with a positive reaction from the American president. Nevertheless, the article’s author doubts the unambiguity of such a position and proves the thesis that the migrations should be analyzed according to both legal and moral theories.
The international system has failed to make the two theories work together and not contradict each other. The human right of individuals to cross borders is guaranteed by Articles 13 and 14 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, while Article 21 of the Declaration recognizes the fundamental right to self-government (Benhabib, 2012). This means that the government has the absolute right to decide on the legality of crossing the border independently.
The author adheres to the point of view of speaking for a world without frontiers. One of the arguments is that, according to basic moral principles, migrants should be legalized in the host country and should not be subject to penalties such as deportation. As an example, the children of migrants who should not be responsible for the illegal activities of their parents are given. The causes of migration are also discussed, including the threat to the life and well-being of migrants in their native country.
Another argument is that every person crossing the border with good intentions should retain the universal right of hospitality, which is individual. In addition, the article also discusses the fact of associative obligations. Since transnational causes and consequences always drive migration policy, it is not uncommon for one country to cause the economic ruin of another country, which increases collective obligations. Even though these principles may not always be consistent with political rights, responsible politicians should not succumb to punitive rhetoric but strive to harmonize the two extremes.
Reference
Benhabib, S. (2012). The morality of migration. The New York Times, 29.