by Grazia Salvemini
Workplace enforcement, more so than border enforcement, is what’s needed to help the United States develop a true comprehensive immigration policy, contends national authority Wayne Cornelius, director of the Center for Comparative Immigration Studies at University of California at San Diego.
Basing his assessment on a four-year UCSD study of immigration patterns from Mexico, Cornelius recommends that the United States provide more legal and better assimilation opportunities, including legalization of most undocumented workers presently residing here, and helping Mexico develop alternatives to immigration through social projects.
He and other experts discussed the report’s findings with Hispanic Link News Service and other media during a June 10 teleconference.
For the survey, a team of students interviewed more than 3,000 Mexican migrants and potential migrants over the past four years. Their written report concluded, “Tens of billions of dollars have been invested in the border enforcement build-up since 1993, with little concern about its efficacy.”
The study’s summary noted that 4,700 migrants have died in clandestine border crossings since 1995. It found that increasing numbers of those who succeed in crossing are reluctant to return to Mexico for family visits because of the rising expense and turmoil of having to reenter the United States. Many now bring families and put down roots, Cornelius explained, stating, “Border enforcement has clearly accelerated this trend.”
Though the number of hours the Border Patrol spends patrolling the U.S. land boundary with Mexico has increased, Cornelius said apprehensions have been falling since the second half of 2006. He attributes this not just to more border enforcement, but to reduced circulatory trips, the increased use of coyotes (people smugglers), more crossings through legal ports, and the U.S. recession.
That many undocumented Mexican migrants no longer return home frequently for family reunions or traditional community celebrations creates a serious economic void, Cornelius says.
The report calculates:
One out of five migrants enters the United States through designated crossing stations, the preferred mode of entry as it reduces physical risk.
While many try to cross in the San Diego sector, fewer than half are apprehended, with 92 percent-98 percent eventually succeeding on subsequent tries.
Three out of fi ve migrants now rely on coyotes. Cornelius says the use of coyotes “virtually guarantees success.” However, their fees, which past studies showed averaged $978 in 1995, have doubled and tripled since then. During the UCSD study period, they averaged $2,100.
Cornelius adds that the tens of thousands of coyotes work in a “decentralized industry.” Many operate on referrals from previous customers, family and friends. They are often paid upon successful delivery. Therefore, it is in their best interest that their customers reach the United States safely. Joining Cornelius in assessing U.S. immigration enforcement strategies, Kevin Appleby, director of Offi ce of Immigration and Refugee Policy with the U.S. Catholic Conference of Bishops, calls U.S. responses to the dilemma “a dark period in immigration history.”
Migrant families are coming to avoid separation, he emphasizes, saying family unity must be considered in weighing new legislation.
“Economic development is the Church’s answer to a border wall,” he says.
Immigration analyst Tamar Jacoby calls the UCSD research fi ndings that border enforcement as we’ve been doing it doesn’t work “shocking.” She also recommends more vigorous workplace enforcement, stating that a “lesson for policy is realism could really help.”
The study, entitled “Controlling Unauthorized Immigration from Mexico: The Failure of ‘Prevention through Deterrence’ and the Need for Comprehensive Reform,” can be accessed on-line at www.immigrationpolicy.org.
(Grazia Salvemini, based in Washington, D.C., reports for Hispanic Link News Service). ©2008
