Increased border enforcement discouraged circular migration and led to longer stays for undocumented Mexican families in the US.
General Chapman's efforts to secure the border and enforce immigration laws shaped the discussion on immigration problems and influenced subsequent border enforcement strategies.
Deep dives
The Impact of Border Enforcement on Mexican Migration
Mexican migration to the United States used to follow a circular pattern, with migrants coming for seasonal work and returning home annually. However, the expansion of the border patrol and increased border enforcement raised the cost of crossing, discouraging migrants from going back. As a result, families started forming and staying longer in the United States. Research shows that if border enforcement had remained the same as in the 1980s, the undocumented Mexican population would be significantly lower today.
General Leonard Chapman's Efforts to Enforce Immigration Laws
General Leonard Chapman, former commandant of the Marine Corps, became the head of the Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) in the 1970s. Chapman modernized the agency, raised awareness of illegal immigration, and enforced immigration laws more rigorously. He believed in securing the border and restoring order, drawing from his experience in the Marines. Chapman's efforts helped shape the discussion on immigration problems and influenced subsequent border enforcement strategies.
The Unintended Consequences of Border Enforcement
Douglas Massey, a sociologist, conducted extensive research on Mexican migration to the United States. He found that increased border enforcement backfired, causing the undocumented Mexican population to grow larger. The higher cost of crossing the border and the lack of circular migration resulted in migrants staying longer in the United States and forming families. Massey believes that making the border easier to cross and providing avenues for legal migration would reduce the number of undocumented Mexicans in the US.
The Fence Metaphor in 'Mending Wall'
The famous line from Robert Frost's poem 'Mending Wall' states, 'Good fences make good neighbors.' The podcast explores the metaphor of the fence in relation to the US-Mexico border. While some argue that fences solve problems and keep order, others question their effectiveness and the disruption they cause to normal patterns of behavior. The discussion prompts reflections on the complexities of border control and immigration policy.
