Introduction:
‘Divisions at the Border’
Samuel Huntington’s 2004 article, “The
Hispanic Challenge” and Andrew F. Lowenthal “Understanding the Hispanic Challenge”
highlight the polarised views between ‘Liberal’ and ‘Conservative’ Americans
regarding Latino immigration at the Mexican/American border. On the one hand Huntington
argues in 2004 for tighter border control, asserting that ‘the single most
immediate and most serious challenge to America's traditional identity comes
from the immense and continuing immigration from Latin America, especially from
Mexico’, which is a view shared by many Americans, especially those that live
close to the border (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-39435626).
Although, many Americans disagree with this view highlighted by Huntington and
instead would agree with Lowenthal, who argues that ‘An accelerating process of
economic, demographic, social and cultural integration is taking place between
Mexico and the US, not invited or formally condoned but nonetheless real and
irreversible’.
The differences between the two
views are prominent, with Huntington arguing that Latinos have not, and cannot
assimilate into the ‘melting pot’ that is American society, whereas Lowenthal
argues they have and are continuing to do so, and this process is ‘irreversible’.
This polarised and argumentative nature seen between these two views shows the
lack of a ‘middle ground’ present in contemporary American society, particularly
in regard to the border issue. These polarised views can be ‘localised’ through
two websites in which advocate pro and anti-Latino immigration into the USA,
these are: ‘The Libertarian Party website’ and ‘The Minuteman Project Website’.
The Minuteman
Project: Jim Gilchrist’s Commentary, January 12, 2017:
The Minuteman Project was founded
by Jim Gilchrist in the early 2000s, and is essentially a group of ‘border
patrol vigilantes’ who enforce controls across the US Mexico Border. Vice news
states that between ‘2004 and 2009, Gilchrist's Minutemen were a powerful force
in the anti-immigration movement, drawing in thousands of members who believed
the government was doing too little to stop border crossings, and subsequently
felt they should take enforcement into their own hands.’
In recent years, the importance of
this project in the border area has dwindled, with some Republicans making the
issue a nationwide problem. In a recent commentary in early 2017, Jim Gilchrist
comments on the current situation surrounding the border, post the election of
Donald Trump. Gilchrist begins by regurgitating points made by Huntington, stating
that, in regard to Latinos, ‘there is a concerted effort underway in our nation
to literally change our culture, our common bond of language, our geographical
borders, our state and national sovereignty, and many other elements that
comprise our nation’s unity.’ Although he then goes on to argue that he is
Pro-Legal Immigration, as long as there are a ‘prescribed number of foreigners
with the vocational skills and personal integrity necessary to continue our
nation’. This assertion seems to show that Gilchrist is accepting to those Latinos
who support and will conform to values of the USA, although not those who are ‘criminals’,
of which he would presumably assert are a majority. Gilchrist concludes his message by commenting
on Trumps election, of which he believes, will ‘bring about a very positive
change of course for our country’ and will ‘make America great again’, and unify
an evidently divided country ‘by a common bond of language and respect for our
rules of law’.
Gilchrist’s optimistic views
towards Trumps election is shared by many Americans who live near the border,
especially those who have been affected by illegal Latino immigration.
Although, it is too soon for one to comment on Trump’s actions on the border, and
the consequences this will have on Americans and Latinos.
The Libertarian Party: ‘Immigration Approved’
Founded in 1971, The Libertarian Party
claims to be ‘the only political organization which respects you as a unique
and responsible individual.’ In the recent 2016 election, the party’s leader
Gary Johnson and his running mate Bill Weld (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uXFb0eSYjEA)
describes themselves as ‘Jeffersonian Liberals’, and so connecting their
beliefs to the ‘liberal’ founder of the United States.
The issues page on
immigration opens up with a photograph of an immigration application form stamped 'approved', which already begins to show the Libertarians view towards immigration into the USA. following this, the party states that ‘Libertarians believe that people should be
able to travel freely as long as they are peaceful’ and they claim to welcome
those who wish to improve their life in America, although will block anyone who
has ‘credible plans for violence’. In terms of Latinos (and all immigration in
general), Libertarians assert that,
‘Whether they are from India or
Mexico, whether they have advanced degrees or very little education, immigrants
have one great thing in common: they bravely left their familiar surroundings
in search of a better life. Many are fleeing extreme poverty and violence and
are searching for a free and safe place to try to build their lives. We respect
and admire their courage and be proud that they see the United States as a
place of freedom, stability, and prosperity.’
This view takes into account the
problems that immigrants, especially Latinos, face when they leaving their ‘familiar
surroundings’ in search of better surroundings, much like the pilgrims had
during the beginnings of the 13 colonies. Furthermore it differentiates
from Gilchrist’s argument that the USA should only take professional
immigrants, by stating that anyone, from any background should be allowed into
the USA.
The differences between the two website representations are prominent. The Libertarians, encourage immigration to the United States, whereas the 'Minutemen' argue for tighter controls. To preserve the values cited in the constitution and by those that founded the United States, these differences should be reconciled by politicians, whom should then put laws into practice, of which benefit both immigrants and current American citizens. Although, with the recent election, this positive resolve would seem unlikely, at least for the next few years.
Bibliography
Primary Sources:
Libertarian
Party: Website for Libertarian Party of the United States
Minute Man Project: Website for pro border patrol control vigilantes
<http://baesic.net/minutemanproject/commentary-by-jim-gilchrist/>
Secondary Sources:
<http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-38996288>
“Border rules: Texans fight over Trump's border wall”
< https://www.vice.com/en_us/article/what-happened-to-arizonas-minutemen>
“Whatever Happened to Arizona's Minutemen?”
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