Take 1: Balancing Compassion and Security
Trump has infamously yet iconically claimed that he is going to build a wall — and his long standing desire to combat illegal immigration in the US remains true to this day. Although building a wall sounds like a wonderful Minecraft adventure or reminds us of a Humpty Dumpty rendition, it allows us to reflect on the pressing concern of border control that burdens many young Americans.
Heavy security measures are surely crucial, but we cannot ignore the humanitarian aspect that pools into unlawful crossings. People do not endure such harsh and perilous journeys lightly — gambling their lives in hopes of a haven, only to be separated from loved ones in mass detainment or sent back on the same treacherous path. Strong security measures are essential in protecting our domestic safety, but we must also ensure that our approach is compassionate. We have to treat those seeking refuge with respect and understand that they are not eating pets as a certain candidate has proudly stated. Integrating humanitarian protection with strong security measures will set forth smarter border control and ensure that we remain empathetic.
-Aimee Wang
Take 2: The Battle for the Border
Border security becomes a battleground with Trump’s tough stance and Harris’s policy overhaul.
Trump’s call for more walls and expanded deportations clashes with Harris’s focus on border reform and legal pathways, sparking new debates over the future of U.S. border security.
Trump argues his approach will safeguard American jobs and strengthen national security, while Harris believes reforming the system will lead to a more effective, humane solution. Both sides seem confident they’ve cracked the code, but the issue remains as tangled as ever. And let’s be honest: it’s not about walls or reforms. The real problems, like human trafficking and organized crime, don’t get fixed by just building more barriers or throwing around new bills.
While debates over walls and reforms dominate headlines, the real challenge is addressing the root issues driving the need for security. These problems persist, no matter how many walls or pathways are proposed.
-Ellie Bai
Take 3: Immigration: an Existential Crisis
Humanity has borders for a reason, they aren't arbitrary, many are actually visible from space contrary to popular belief. Look into why.
Immigration is the most important issue in the developed world. It determines the next generation of the nation's citizenry and the supply of the labor market; that is why it must be controlled.
In 2023, 4 million illegal immigrants crossed into the US. That is more than one percent of the US population illegally arriving within 12 months. If that rate is sustained, the nation’s decline will only accelerate. Supporting illegal immigration in the United States is as logical as supporting cigarette smoking in retirement homes. Why not if the end is near?
Immigration policy is central in this election because more than half of Americans want to curb it. The voters' choice is distinct. Between borderless anarchy, or civil normalcy; or maybe a cigarette.
-Ryan Dulaney
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