Practicum 1: Teresa Koehler on Immigration

      The first people who came to America, came to explore and to escape
persecution. In many ways, immigrants are who have created America. However,
during the 2016 election, the debate on how much the government should control
immigration and what kind of enforcement should be utilized, came to the
forefront of many American’s minds. How much government control should there be
on immigration? What should that look like? And how to enforce that policy? Are
all questions with very hard answers.

      The last 13 presidential administrations, (since the Eisenhower
administration) took executive action on immigration. Globally, immigration is
something that must be considered. The Syrian Refugee Crisis is probably the
largest refugee crisis in recent history with 13.6 million people displaced. The
images depicting the crisis are shocking.

      The picture that traversed the world showcasing the lengths which people
will go to flee violence was most heartbreakingly seen in the picture of Alan
Kurdi, who was possibly referenced in this animation video. At the very end of
the short film, the little polar bear cub is shown lying on the beach with
people running around him. Alan Kurdi was a two-year-old boy whose infamous
picture was taken in 2015 as his body lay on a Turkish beach after he, his
mother, and brother drowned trying to flee persecution across the Mediterranean
sea.

       I think this video illustrates the unspoken reality of immigration. The
fear, trauma, and uncertainty are profoundly depicted in this film. Another
thing that was expertly recognized in this film was the reaction of the polar
bears in the new land and the adverse reaction of the brown bears. Government
leadership in countries receiving immigrants, both illegally and legally, have
to balance their ethical duty, with their duty to their country. This balance
is very difficult to maintain.

      The balance between hospitality to fleeing migrants, and “America
First,” was greatly apparent during the 2016 election, with the
“Build the Wall” campaign, then-candidate, Donald Trump headed. Change
is a hard sell for many, and for others, the governmental control on border
crossings is a slap in the face to the people who are trying to build a new
life free from persecution. Some leaders in government want to make the process
of legally entering America easier so people who are fleeing for their lives
can safely, and timely, arrive here. But for those who do enter the country
illegally, the debate on safety nets and proper means of deportation is of
concern as well.

       Family separation policy during deportations was greatly distressing for
many Americans. Some Americans thought it would prove the necessary deterrent
for people to not enter the country illegally while promoting tougher
legislation on letting illegal immigrants reside in the United States. However,
enforcement of such executive action was very challenging. Separating children
from their parents, taking care of them, and then returning them after
deportation was a logistical nightmare, and the officers having to enforce the
law, left some taking actions not legal or ethical.

      In summary, proper legislation and keeping an open mind are key, but the
division that has occurred over immigration is spectacular. Keeping America
safe for Americans was an ideology largely promoted by conservative
republicans, along with building a wall along the Mexican-American border;
while DACA (Differed Action for Childhood Arrivals) was a largely liberal
democrat approach. Currently, a candidate’s policy on immigration can be a
deciding factor whether they will lead or maintain their control of government.

– What do you believe should be done for immigration reform? Or should it stay the same?

– Where should the line be drawn for illegal crossings into America?

– What would do you think should happen with the people living in America illegally?

– How much federal vs. state government control should there be on border crossings?

– How would you enforce federal and state laws regarding immigration while trying to maintain the peace?

I enjoyed this assignment. It was a hard one to write because the framework was pretty wide. But I think it makes the assignment more interesting in that way. I would totally keep this assignment for future classes. It’s good to do research on your own and try to relate it to what you learn.