An Analysis Of U.S.-mexico Border Control And Immigration

In response to concerns over illegal immigration, the U.S. government in the1990scracked down on clandestine border-crossing activities by launching a series of bordercontrol initiatives. Despite the escalation of both border enforcement apparatus andpersonnel, the policy was basically ineffective when measured against either the populationof undocumented immigrants or its deterrence effect. This essay tries to analyze both theeconomic and political imperatives that helped maintain the political vitality of thestrategy. It argues that the selective effect of the strategy of tougher border controlgenerated a pattern of temporary immigration which responded well to the restructuring ofregional economies by protecting the U.S. citizens from competitions with immigrantsover employment while securing sufficient supply of cheap labor for U.S. economicgrowth. In addition, the strategy also addressed the concerns over non-economic threatsimmigrants posed to the nation as evidenced by increasing anti-immigration and pro-restrictionist sentiment regarding the U.S. polity. By strengthening border control andutilizing its symbolic value, the administration managed to improve its relations with thecitizens and thus consolidate its legitimacy of power.