Liberty is one of the fundamental principles on which the American nation is established. Since its founding, the US has been a staunch defender of freedom and human rights. Using such tools as its constitution and government agencies, the country promotes human rights domestically and abroad. However, over the last few months, questions have been raised about the country’s commitment to liberty and human rights. Under the leadership of President Donald Trump, the country has rolled back some of the programs through which it secure freedoms and rights. The administration’s tough stance on immigration is among the developments that underscore lack of commitment to the country’s founding principle of liberty. Left unchecked, the US risks undoing the progress that has been built over decades through blood and sweat.
Symbolism of the Statue of Liberty
The Statue of Liberty is one of the most iconic structures in the United States. In fact, this structure is synonymous with Americanism. Liberty is the key principle that the statue represents. The statue holds a giant torch to the sky. For many, this torch is a reflection of enlightenment which directs the American people towards liberty (NPS, 2017). Apart from liberty, the Statue of Liberty is also a symbol of democracy and justice (Bigler, 2017). The influx of immigrants that the US witnessed in the 19th and 20th century is behind the statue’s association with these values. During this period, the US opened its doors to thousands of immigrants who were fleeing hardships in their home countries. For these immigrants, the US offered opportunities for personal advancement. In order to understand the symbolic function of the Statue of Liberty, it is necessary to conduct a careful examination of its accessories. At the foot of the statue are shackles. These shackles are interpreted as representations of the efforts by the US to defeat tyranny and to adopt democracy as the best form of governance (Bigler, 2017). The statue also clutches a book. This book represents the law that governs the US. The 25 windows that adorn the statue’s crown are yet another symbolic accessory. These windows are intended to serve as a reflection of heaven’s rays that radiate upon the world (Bigler, 2017). Overall, the Statue of Liberty is a landmark structure which represents the American identity and the ideals on which the nation is built.
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Social Safety
Securing the wellbeing of its citizens is one of the basic mandates of the American government. As part of its efforts to fulfill this mandate, the government has developed social safety net programs. Essentially, these are programs that are designed to safeguard the welfare of the American people (Smith, 2018). Health insurance is one of these programs. Food stamps and subsidized housing are other programs that the government has developed (Smith, 2018). For a full understanding of social safety to be gained, it is important to relate it to the thousands of immigrants who enter the US from countries in South America. While it is true that the social safety programs are originally intended for American citizens, immigrants have also benefited. For example, thanks to such laws as the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act (1996), legal immigrants have gained access to benefits administered by the federal government (Olds, 2016). Another impact that the social safety programs has had is that they have prompted immigrants who own business to provide their fellow immigrants with mandated benefits (Olds, 2016). Whereas thousands of immigrants continue to enjoy various benefits, it is worth noting that many more are ineligible for these benefits. US law makes it clear that undocumented immigrants do not qualify for benefits (Hing, 2017). This is indeed unfortunate as the undocumented immigrants need the benefits desperately. For example, most of the undocumented immigrants are fleeing poverty in their home countries. Upon arrival in the US, they face harsh realities that would be alleviated if the US extended the social safety program to cover them.
Trump’s Zero Tolerance Policy
Historically, the US has led the world in calling for the protection of vulnerable populations. For example, using its influence on the global geopolitical stage, the country has called for more to be done to respond to the plight of the Rohingya community in Myanmar. By protecting these communities, the US has made clear its dedication to human rights. Since President Trump assumed office, the country has changed its stance on immigration and the protection of vulnerable populations. Recently, the Trump administration began the implementation of a zero-tolerance policy. Essentially, this policy involved the detention of any and all individuals who attempted to enter the US without following the proper procedures (Davis, 2018). While this policy was designed to tackle illegal immigration, its consequences have been disastrous and have highlighted the damage that can result when a nation’s immigrant policy is informed by intolerance and selfishness. The separation of children from their families is one of the devastating outcomes that have resulted from Trump’s zero-tolerance approach. In the following discussion, details of the negative effects of the separation and subsequent reunion of families and some of the few positive impacts are provided.
One of the negative effects of the separation of families is the violation of the rights of children. Following the rushed implementation of the policy, reports emerged that children were being detained and held in inhumane conditions. For example, it is alleged that children who had been separated from their families were being contained in cages at detention centers in such states as Texas (Associated Press, 2018). These children must have developed psychological wounds that many never heal. That some of the children could not be reunited with their families is another negative effect of Trump’s immigration policy. The administration stated that some of the parents of the children had returned to their countries and this made reunification difficult (Greenfield, 2018). One can only imagine how these children must have been.
For the most part, the separation of families at the US border has had disastrous effects. However, there are a few positive outcomes that are worth noting. That it has discouraged illegal immigration is one of these outcomes. If found to have entered the US illegally, immigrants face legal action (Greenfield, 2018). Most of the undocumented immigrants have been deported back to their home countries. While it is true that the separation of families has enhanced the US war against illegal immigration, it is difficult to ignore the numerous negative effects that the separation has had. Given the immense value that the US places on family, it is difficult to imagine the inspiration that moved the Trump government to separate small children from their parents.
Personal Opinion on Border Security
Personally, I find that a porous border breeds the problem of illegal immigration. For this reason, I applaud the government for its efforts to enhance our border. However, I feel that in developing its policy on border security, a nation must balance its obligations of securing basic human rights with its mandate of protecting its citizens. I feel that the Trump administration has failed to attain this balance. The government has prioritized securing the border over providing refuge to thousands of desperate immigrants and asylum seekers who are in dire need of support. I have watched news reports of people from such countries as Mexico and Honduras who brave unimaginable dangers in their quest to reach the US. When they reach our border, they are met with hostile border agents who are enforcing an inhumane and unacceptable policy. I think that it is time that we had a conversation about securing our border while protecting immigrants. I am convinced that it is indeed possible to adopt a friendlier immigration policy without compromising border security. For example, I would advise that the government should establish centers along the border where immigrants can seek entry into the US. In order to ensure that these centers are not used to commit violations and abuses, the government should establish appropriate monitoring frameworks and measures. I also think that there is need for the international community to partner with the US in ensuring border security while delivering relief and support to immigrants and asylum seekers. For example, such bodies as the United Nations could pressure the governments of the home countries of immigrants and asylum seekers to improve conditions. By doing this, these governments will help to solve the problem of illegal immigration.
In conclusion, the US remains one of the most vocal and staunchest champions of liberty. Since its establishment, the country has taken steps to ensure that its citizens are able to pursue happiness. This has been extended to immigrants who are offered opportunities for self-improvement. It is therefore shocking and unfortunate that since President Trump assumed office, the country has reversed its stance on immigration. It is no longer the nation that welcomed refugees and asylum seekers and relieved them of their burdens. The US is gradually becoming an intolerant society that has forgotten its heritage. If the US is to maintain its authority and position in the world, it needs to re-examine its immigration and border security policies.
References
Associated Press. (2018). Separation at the border: children wait in cages at south Texas warehouse. Retrieved September 19, 2018 from https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2018/jun/17/separation-border-children-cages-south-texas-warehouse-holding-facility
Bigler, S. (2017). What the Statue of Liberty symbolizes. USA Today. Retrieved September 19, 2018 from https://traveltips.usatoday.com/statue-liberty-symbolizes-29045.html
Davis, J. (2018). Trump’s ‘zero-tolerance’ immigration policy still violates fundamental human rights laws. Business Insider. Retrieved September 19, 2018 from https://www.businessinsider.com/trumps-zero-tolerance-immigration-policy-violates-human-rights-laws-2018-6?IR=T
Greenfield, P. (2018). Family separation: hundreds of migrant children still not reunited with
Families in US. The Guardian. Retrieved September 19, 2018 from https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2018/jul/26/trump-administration-family-separations-children-reunited
Hing, J. (2017). The truth about immigrants and public benefits . The Nation. Retrieved September 19, 2018 from https://www.thenation.com/article/the-truth-about-immigrants-and-public-benefits/
National Park Service (NPS). (2017). Statue of Liberty. Retrieved September 19, 2018 from https://www.nps.gov/stli/planyourvisit/get-the-facts.htm
Olds, G. (2016). Immigrant entrepreneurs and the social safety net. Harvard Business School. Retrieved September 19, 2018 from https://www.hbs.edu/faculty/Publication%20Files/16-142_693bc7ca-3818-4ad6-8f32-d5b563049e01.pdf
Smith, N. (2018). The U.S. social safety net has improved a lot. Bloomberg. Retrieved September 19, 2018 from https://www.bloomberg.com/view/articles/2018-05-16/the-u-s-social-safety-net-has-improved-a-lot
