Immigration Policy

Arguments for an Open Borders Policy

Advocates of an open borders policy raise both ethical and economic issues in support of their position. Some open borders (aka free migration) proponents argue that the very concept of the nation-state is archaic and should come to an end. With the advent of high-tech means of travel, rigidly enforced borders unnecessarily impede free migration, thus rendering international travel cumbersome. Moreover, some advocates of open borders believe that Americans simply have no right to refuse access to the land known as the [Page 378]United States to people from Mexico and Central America. In addition, supporters of open borders also point to the fact that many immigrants are actively participating in the U.S. military.

Another argument made by supporters of open borders is that using law enforcement to guard the southern border should be a low priority given the much greater problems of terrorism, world hunger, homelessness, the national debt, and global warming. They believe that it is unwise to dedicate massive amounts of resources to preventing the immigration of people who simply want to live and work here. In addition, replacing undocumented workers who do not pay income taxes with workers who do would result in immediate increases in revenues in the form of payroll taxes. At the same time, immigrants from poorer nations such as Mexico and elsewhere in Latin America would be able to send funds back to their native lands that would serve as a form of foreign aid. The end result of this would be an improvement in Mexican and Central American economies that would ultimately reduce the number of immigrants who come to the United States simply because they cannot provide for their families in their home countries.

According to supporters, an open borders policy will substantially reduce labor shortages resulting from a declining native-born U.S. birthrate by providing workers for assembly line work, construction, agricultural labor, and the service industry. Further potential benefits of open borders include increased union membership in the United States, as the number of low-wage workers increases, and healthy competition for lower-level jobs.

Others note that an open borders policy would reduce problems associated with illegally smuggling human beings across the border. In addition, open borders remove the need for American citizens to function as informants to assist in identifying undocumented workers and turning them over to federal authorities. Finally, open borders advocates also point to the contributions to American culture made by immigrants who have positive values, such as a strong work ethnic and a sense of community.

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