Good Fences – They don’t make good neighbors

Good Fences – They don’t make good neighbors

-Christopher Carroll

 

The United States is sliding towards becoming a society that has isolated itself from both its neighbors and the world for fear of illegal immigrants. American society and citizens shouldn’t stand for it.

Today, a test vote for the “border surge” agreement of the Gang of Eight’s immigration bill passed with 67 votes in the senate, paving the way to the bill’s passage later this week. The deal is a heartening and exciting development for those of us who hope that the bill will gain favor from a supermajority in the Senate. Members of the GOP that had previously been hesitant to endorse the bill seem likely to vote for it and members of the Democratic majority are not simultaneously walking away from the deal in disgust. However, while the deal may be good news for the prospects of immigration reform in the country, it prioritizes isolation from our neighbors, a trait that will prove extremely dangerous for the fabric of our society.

Immigration (Photo credit: lcars)

The deal, brokered by Senators Corker (R-Tenn) and Hoeven (R-N.D), would increase border expenditure on technologies and personnel in exchange for relaxing certain “triggers” that Republican senators were demanding, chiefly the demand that 90% of illegal border crossers be apprehended before the “pathway to citizenship” program could be implemented.

The progress seen followed the release of a CBO score of the proposed bill, suggesting that the bill would reduce illegal immigration by 25% and reduce the deficit by hundreds of billions of dollars over the next 20 years.

The GOP, including Senators Cornyn (R-Tx), McCAin, (R-Az.) and Graham (R-S.C), has used the CBO score to argue for the need to beef up security at the United States/Mexico border. “What we are trying to do,” explained Senator Graham, “is put in place measures that to any reasonable person would be overwhelming effort to secure our border short of shooting everybody that comes across the border.” This statement is as dangerous as it is alarming. Where did you get this quote? When did Graham say this? You need to incorporate a citation i.e, in an interview with blah blah, Senator Graham said… I’m going to try to “link” to the article. Ok, great!

By emphasizing fences rather than bridges and surveillance drones rather than societal inclusion, we are rejecting the world beyond our own backyard. Our fences and barriers will eventually turn the entire world into good neighbors – the kind that ignores us when we need help and rejects us when we extend our hand in partnership.

The fence and increased security policies mirror that of one of our strongest allies, Israel.

For years, Israel has been building one of the most technologically advanced walls in the world and soon they will essentially have partitioned their entire border. Since beginning the project, the wall has had greatly reduced the number of attacks from the Occupied State of Palestine and had a dynamic impact on the safety of Israel’s citizenry. But in achieving this, they have told the outside world to stay out and leave them alone. Is that what America is for? Is America willing to build walls with turrets, motion sensors, sentries and video cameras to keep other people out? Are immigrants as dangerous to our safety as extremist terrorists are to Israel’s?

The problem is that without this deal, the overall immigration overhaul would likely never pass in the Senate, to say nothing of passing in the House. Immigration is extraordinarily important for the country. Passing reform, especially with a “pathway to citizenship,” will be a boon for the economy and for the cultural diversity and health of our society and inhabitants.

If the passage of the border surge agreement will allow the bill to pass the senate (as is expected) then it is a necessary evil. The agreement may never be implemented due to questions about its cost and effectiveness, and if it serves as political cover or induces agreement, it will be a good thing. But whether or not it provides results is yet to be seen.

In the end, the agreement and the entire conversation may be moot. The House will not leave the bill untouched after passage through the Senate and the extreme polarization that has marked the past 5 years will likely prevent it from garnering the support of a majority of both houses and President Obama. Whatever happens, the country must avoid building fences and barriers. A good neighborhood is one with mutual respect, appreciation and partnership. Good fences don’t make good neighbors; they make lonely ones..

Deutsch: genagelter Speltenzaun auf dem Bödele. Français : Clôture en bois à Bödele, Autriche. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)