THE EFFECTS IMMIGRATION HAS ON A BORDERLAND COMMUNITY

Andrea Lucero

The University of Texas at El Paso

RWS 1302
ABSTRACT:

The objective of this paper is to share the effects that immigration has on the borderland

of El Paso, Texas. In the current political climate and with mid-term elections on the horizon,

immigration is a complex issue that can almost feel exhausting for everyone. Everyone includes

not only illegal immigrants, immigration law enforcement agents and the American people

neighboring a border or not.

The research that is observed in this paper consist of: the perspectives of those citizens of

America who do not understand the immigration issue and judge sternly of those making their

way illegally into the United States. Also examined is the effect of immigration specifically to El

Paso Texas, and finally what immigration law enforcement agencies are doing to encourage

illegal aliens to obtain citizenship or visas.

What was drawn from the research is that immigration laws are in great disorder and

there is no clear path to what can be done until United States Congress can come together and

put a plan in place.

INTRODUCTION:

In today’s political climate immigration is at the top of hot political topics. During the

Obama administration, former President Barack Obama made it a point to deprioritize

deportation of illegal immigrants, and even created the DREAM Act to provide some sort of

relief from deportation for those brought over as a child by their parents. As former President

Obama stated “Now, let's be clear -- this is not amnesty, this is not immunity. This is not a

path to citizenship. It's not a permanent fix. This is a temporary stopgap measure that lets us

focus our resources wisely while giving a degree of relief and hope to talented, driven, patriotic

young people.” (Obama, 2012). During President Donald Trump’s run for presidency he made

the issue of immigration one of his top priorities throughout his campaign. “The Trump

administration has said it will continue to prioritize deporting those with serious criminal

records, but, in a break from the Obama administration, the new policies also take aim at

immigrants whose offenses are limited to living here without permission or minor crimes that

enable immigrants to work here, like driving without a license or using a fake Social Security

number.” (Yee & Patel, 2017).

In El Paso, Texas immigration is an issue that is dealt with on a day to day basis because

it shares a border with Juarez, Mexico. “El Paso is the largest metropolitan area on the Texas

border, and the El Paso-Juarez-Las Cruces region calls itself one of the largest binational regions

in the world, with 2.5 million people.” (Semeuls, 2016). Thousands commute between both cities

for various reasons whether it be for work, education, entertainment, or even to just visit family

and friends. Immigration law enforcement agencies have more pressure on how to handle this

sensitive matter due to the Trump administration and media. Participants under the Deferred

Actions for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) have a fear of losing their temporary citizenship and
education. Immigration cannot be simply broken down, everyone has a different perspective of

what should be done to resolve this issue and there are many ambiguities to obtaining

citizenships. The following investigation of how immigration effects the borderland and the

topics discussed are just the tip of the iceberg on this complex issue.

REVIEW OF LITERATURE:

How does the perspective of citizens born in the United States of America change or

unchange when individuals understand day to day life of illegal immigrants?

Media plays a tremendous part in how society forms their opinions on a political issue.

Individuals who grew up in a borderland town along the southwestern border between United

States of America and Mexico may have more understanding about what it is to deal with

documented and undocumented immigrants. The views amongst those individuals may be for or

against immigration but nonetheless no one really knows what an illegal immigrant goes through

other than the illegal immigrant themselves. The choice to cross a border illegally for a better life

and the decision to risk one’s livelihood may vary for each person. Natural born citizens from

other parts of the United States that do not share a border with another country like Mexico may

not fully grasp an understanding of what it is to endure these hardships and do not witness day to

day struggles these illegal immigrants endure. It is possible that someone from Iowa or even

Kentucky may only know about immigration issues solely through what the media portrays.

In a recent speech to the American people, President Trump addresses the issue of the

large caravan of immigrants making their way from Central America many of whom hope to

seek asylum. He states that “Mass, uncontrolled immigration is especially unfair to the many

wonderful, law-abiding immigrants already living here who followed the rules and waited their
turn. Some have been waiting for many years.” (Trump, 2018). “Asylum is not a program for

those living in poverty. There are billions of people in the world living at the poverty level. The

United States cannot possibly absorb them all. Asylum is a very special protection intended only

for those fleeing government persecutions based on race, religion, and other protected status.”

(Trump, 2018). Trump explains that “these illegal caravans will not be allowed into the United

States, and they should turn back now, because they’re wasting their time. They should apply to

come into our country. We want them to come into our country very much.” (Trump, 2018).

Many of those travelling through the caravan reek of desperation of a better life not only for

themselves but for their families.

One man by the name of Brian Delarta a mechanic from Honduras shared with The

Guardian his reasoning for traveling with the caravan. He “showed a pair gunshot wounds in the

shoulder and leg – the result of a gang shootout in his neighborhood” (Holpuch, A., & Agren, D.,

2018). Delarta goes onto explain, “-that low pay, rising prices for basics (needs) such as food,

water and electricity and extortion demands from the local gang had (have) made it impossible to

make ends meet.” (Holpuch, A., & Agren, D., 2018). Of course, there is a legal process for

immigrants to make their way into America but because the system is so broken and the

loopholes that are exhausted, individuals in their desperate state will go to great lengths to come

into the United States, even if that means illegally. As a society instilling compassion,

understanding and even empathy may change the perspective of those individuals who harshly

judge undocumented immigrants.

What are the effects of illegal immigrants in the El Paso Community?

 El Paso is a bustling city of immigrants (documented and undocumented), with Juarez,

Mexico just across the Rio Grande many of those individuals come over for various reasons.

Primarily for the education system and work force to provide a better life for not only themselves

but for their families. In the United States of America, there is a public educational system where

parents send their children to school for free. The American people have more options to pursue

various careers and occupations in the United States, they also have more freedom to be their

own entrepreneur where they can practice their own trades and make a living from it if they

choose to do so. According to a Deportation Officer John Doe who will remain anonymous for

the purpose of his high-level security occupation, he explains “one effect that the borderland sees

is the overwhelming intake to assist illegal immigrants, whether it be government or

nongovernment assistance (e.g. advocacy groups). For instance, food banks suffer from

shortages because the city does not have enough resources, making donations vital.” (Doe,

2018).

According to the City of El Paso demographics, the population in El Paso between 2012 -

2016 is about 833,591 thousand (www.elpasotexas.gov) and the University of Texas at El Paso

website on Juarez’s demographics shows Ciudad Juarez's population in 2010 was approximately

1,332,131 million. (www.utep.edu). After September 11, 2001 border security heighten and was

put under stricter restrictions and supervision. Sandra Rodriguez, a reporter for El Diario, a well-

known newspaper in Juarez was quoted explaining “We as Mexicans became the enemy. After

September 11, they sealed the border, built a wall, and began persecuting immigrants and

justified it as a problem of security. This perspective became an excuse for everything.” (Bracco,

2015).
 Individuals crossing between borders from Mexico to the United States must present

proper identification and forms before passing through, (e.g. passports, student visas and/or work

visas). Those persons who are not prepared with proper documentation, or attempting to carry

illegal goods or contraband through the border slow down the process of crossing over and of

course this affects the wait time in lines. The amount of law enforcement officers along the

border was increased as well. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) states that “Along

the Southwest border, DHS has increased the number of boots on the ground from approximately

9,100 Border Patrol agents in 2001 to more than 17,700 today.” (www.dhs.gov). It is a no brainer

that two major cities in two separate countries just a couple of steps between each other call for

more border security. While our borders are safer because of the amplified security by making it

harder for illegal immigrants to just walk across the border, it makes it more difficult for those

individuals who have the proper documentation and/or work or student visas to come back and

forth, perhaps they have to wake up earlier and try to beat the traffic line or wait patiently until it

is their turn to cross the bridge.

Do immigration law enforcement agencies encourage illegal immigrants to become

citizens?

Immigration law enforcement agencies includes: United States Custom and Border Patrol

(CBP), Immigration and Custom Enforcement (ICE), and United States Citizenship Immigration

Services (USCIS). CBP main objective is to manage and control border ports of entry. They are

responsible for what customs come through, immigration, border security and agricultural

protection. For the purpose of this research ICE agents can be broken up simply into two major

branches: Enforcement Removal Operations (ERO) and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI).

ERO agents are responsible for arresting and detaining illegal aliens, they manage the detainees,
deport them back to their countries if ordered to do so or while in a detention center can provide

legal resources and get detainee in touch with advocacy groups. USCIS is an agency that can

help with different way to obtain citizenships, working visas, and permanent residency in the

United States.

Officer Doe explained his line of work as a deportation officer in his own words “It is my

occupation to confirm that an individual is an illegal alien, research database for past offenses

and review fingerprint comparisons. If the investigation results that the individual is an illegal

alien or amenable for removal, we request that they be turned into ICE custody and placed in an

Immigration Detainer. In some states they do no honor Immigration Detainers and aliens are

released from jail without notifying ICE agents” (Doe,2018).

Officer Doe explains, “Many immigrants trying to illegally cross through the borders

from other countries other than Mexico, for example like Honduras or El Salvador, naively

believe that once they cross over they are free, many do prepare for legal repercussions.” When

asked his solution to make the Immigration system more efficient and helpful his answer seem

simple enough, “First, Congress needs to improve U.S. immigration laws by removing loopholes

that allow aliens and the states to circumvent U.S. immigration laws. Second, we have the

second lowest number of Deportation officer compared to CBP and ICE. Hiring more

deportation officers will help with the overwhelming work load. Third, we need more

Immigration Judges and Asylum Officers who can make crucial decisions in immigration cases,

to my knowledge there are some states that only have about three to four judges.” (Doe, 2018).

When President Trump took over office in the White House he made immigration a point

of priority and border security was at the tops of that list. In the borderland of El Paso, Texas,

“U.S. Department of Homeland Security order increasing the ability of local police to help in
immigration enforcement” back in February of 2017. (Martinez, Flores & Figueroa, 2017). El

Pasoans were concerned that local law enforcement would be distracted from their everyday

duties with these new orders.

Immigration law enforcement agents can encourage immigrants to seek the proper

methods to obtain citizenship, but there are so many options and loopholes that makes the

process exhausting. Only a certain number of visas are distributed yearly, according to a study

titled Visa Retrogression and the Impact of Obtaining Permanent Legal Status (Green Card)

Through Employment Sponsorship from 2005 by Mahsa Aliaskari where she explains:

“Immigrant visas are numerically limited within the employment-based category by

country of chargeability. No more than twenty-seven percent of the annual employment-based

immigration visa numbers may be used in each of the first three quarters in the fiscal year.

Therefore, the Department of State (DOS) will allow for approximately 37,800 immigrant visas

to be issued each quarter. This means only 37,800 foreign nationals may obtain legal permanent

resident status each quarter. There is also a per-country limit for immigrants in both employment

and family sponsored categories set at 7% of the total annual number, i.e., 25,620 per year per

country. When demand exceeds the number of available visas, the category is deemed

oversubscribed and a cut-off date is established for the oversubscribed category. The cut-off date

and the foreign national's priority date will determine when the individual will be eligible for

submitting the final application to obtain legal permanent resident status.” (Aliaskari, 2005).

Illegal immigrants can try to obtain a work visa, that allows them to work for a certain

amount of time in the United States but on a “first come, first serve” basis if an individual does

not make the cut with in the fiscal year, they will have to try all over again the following year.

Other ways illegal immigrants can seek citizenship (permanently or temporary), they can apply
for a student visa by applying at a university but they have to be sure that one, the university

accepts their school credit and two, if the school also accepts students under student visas. Illegal

aliens can marry into their citizenship with a partner that is already an American citizen,

individual brought over by their parents illegally as a child can apply for the DACA program,

and if an illegal immigrant is caught at the border has the option to see an immigration judge that

may grant them asylum for a certain amount of time. Again, the gaps in the immigration system

are exhausting and broken that the encouragement is there but guarantee of citizenship is not.

The chart below contains many different purposes of temporary travel and the related
nonimmigrant visa categories available on this website. Select a visa category below to learn
more:
Required:
Visa Before
Purpose of Travel
Category applying for
visa*
Athlete, amateur or professional (competing for prize money only) B-1 (NA)
Au pair (exchange visitor) J SEVIS
Australian professional specialty E-3 DOL
Border Crossing Card: Mexico BCC (NA)
Business visitor B-1 (NA)
CNMI-only transitional worker CW-1 (USCIS)
Crewmember D (NA)
A
Diplomat or foreign government official (NA)

Domestic employee or nanny - must be accompanying a foreign

B-1 (NA)
national employer
G1-G5,
Employee of a designated international organization or NATO (NA)
NATO
Exchange visitor J SEVIS
A-2
Foreign military personnel stationed in the United States (NA)
NATO1-6
Foreign national with extraordinary ability in Sciences, Arts,
O USCIS
Education, Business or Athletics
H-1B1 -
Free Trade Agreement (FTA) Professional: Chile
DOL
Chile, Singapore H-1B1 -
Singapore
 International cultural exchange visitor Q USCIS
Intra-company transferee L USCIS
Medical treatment, visitor for B-2 (NA)
Media, journalist I (NA)
NAFTA professional worker: Mexico, Canada TN/TD (NA)
Performing athlete, artist, entertainer P USCIS
Physician J , H-1B SEVIS
Professor, scholar, teacher (exchange visitor) J SEVIS
Religious worker R USCIS
Specialty occupations in fields requiring highly specialized DOL then
H-1B
knowledge USCIS
Student: academic, vocational F, M SEVIS
DOL then
Temporary agricultural worker H-2A
USCIS
Temporary worker performing other services or labor of a DOL then
H-2B
temporary or seasonal nature. USCIS
Tourism, vacation, pleasure visitor B-2 (NA)
Training in a program not primarily for employment H-3 USCIS
Treaty trader/treaty investor E (NA)
Transiting the United States C (NA)
Victim of Criminal Activity U USCIS
Victim of Human Trafficking T USCIS
Nonimmigrant (V) Visa for Spouse and Children of a Lawful
V (NA)
Permanent Resident (LPR)
Renewals in the U.S. - A, G, and NATO Visas (NA)

The chart below contains different purposes for immigrating to the United States, and the related
immigrant visa categories for which information is available on this website. Select a visa
category below to learn more:

Immediate Relative & Family Sponsored Visa Category

Spouse of a U.S. Citizen IR1, CR1
Spouse of a U.S. Citizen awaiting approval of an I-130 immigrant
K-3 *
petition
Fiancé(e) to marry U.S. Citizen & live in U.S. K-1 *
Intercountry Adoption of Orphan Children by U.S. Citizens IR3, IH3, IR4, IH4
IR2, CR2, IR5, F1, F3,
Certain Family Members of U.S. Citizens
F4
Certain Family Members of Lawful Permanent Residents F2A, F2B
Employer Sponsored – Employment
Employment-Based Immigrants, including (preference group):

 Priority workers [First]

  Professionals Holding Advanced Degrees and Persons of
Exceptional Ability [Second]
 Professionals and Other Workers [Third] E1
 Employment Creation/Investors [Fifth] E2
 Certain Special Immigrants: [Fourth]

E3, EW3

C5, T5, R5, I5

S (many**)
Religious Workers SD, SR
Iraqi and Afghan Translators/Interpreters SI
Iraqis Who Worked for/on Behalf of the U.S. Government SQ
Afghans Who Worked for/on Behalf of the U.S. Government SQ
Other Immigrants
Diversity Immigrant Visa DV
Returning Resident SB

The chart is provided as an example of all the different types if visas available for

immigrant and non-immigrant individuals that is from the www.travel.state.gov website, it

should be noted that these are not all the available visas, but should serve as example of draining

amount of options that are offered.

CONCLUSION:

The United States of America was built on a foundation of immigrants, Christopher

Columbus, the man who is credited for discovering America himself was from Genoa, Italy.

America’s economic growth and expansion was built by the blood, sweat and tears of

immigrants. Some natural born citizens opposed to immigrants coming over into the United

States tend to forget that as a society if they look far back enough down their bloodline all
individuals came from another land other than the United States of America whether it be

Europe, Asia or Africa, the people of America come from all over. Although America is made of

immigrants there is a process to obtaining citizenship, and it is grueling, at times may seem

impossible but is necessary to keep some sort of order until the United States Congress can come

to an agreement on how to make immigration laws work for people and not against them.
SOURCES:
1. Remarks by the President on Immigration. (n.d.). Retrieved from
https://obamawhitehouse.archives.gov/the-press-office/2012/06/15/remarks-president-
immigration

2. Yee, V., Davis, K., & Patel, J. K. (2017, March 06). Here's the Reality About Illegal
Immigrants in the United States. Retrieved from
https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2017/03/06/us/politics/undocumented-illegal-
immigrants.html

3. Semuels, A. (2016, January 25). Crossing the Mexican-American Border, Every Day.
Retrieved from https://www.theatlantic.com/business/archive/2016/01/crossing-the-
mexican-american-border-every-day/426678/

4. Remarks by President Trump on the Illegal Immigration Crisis and Border Security.
(n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefings-statements/remarks-
president-trump-illegal-immigration-crisis-border-security/

5. Holpuch, A., & Agren, D. (2018, October 24). Where is the migrant caravan from – and
what will happen to it at the border? Retrieved from https://www.theguardian.com/us-
news/2018/oct/24/caravan-migrants-what-is-it-where-from-guatemala-honduras-
immigrants-mexico

6. Doe, J. (2018, November 01). Primary Research Interview [Personal interview].

7. Population. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.elpasotexas.gov/economic-

development/business-services/data-and-statistics/population

8. Center for Interdisciplinary Health Research and Evaluation. (n.d.). Retrieved from
https://www.utep.edu/chs/cihre/demographics/juarez-city-and-county.html

9. Bracco, D. (2015, September 15). 9/11 Border Security Leads to Crime Increase in
Mexico. Retrieved from https://pulitzercenter.org/reporting/911-border-security-leads-
crime-increase-mexico

10. P. (2017, February 16). 9/11 Border Security Leads to Crime Increase in Mexico.
Retrieved from https://pulitzercenter.org/reporting/911-border-security-leads-crime-
increase-mexico
11. Securing and Managing Our Borders. (2017, March 10). Retrieved from
https://www.dhs.gov/securing-and-managing-our-borders

12. Martinez, A., Flores, A. B., & Figueroa, L. (2017, February 22). Local officials: US
immigration orders 'frightening'. Retrieved from
https://www.elpasotimes.com/story/news/immigration/2017/02/21/el-paso-leaders-
criticize-us-immigration-orders/98216890/

13. Aliaskari, M. (2005). Visa Retrogression and Impact on Obtaining Permanent Resident
Status (Green Card) Through Employment Sponsorship. Venulex Legal Summaries, 1–6.
Retrieved from http://0-
search.ebscohost.com.lib.utep.edu/login.aspx?direct=true&db=bth&AN=23566795&site
=eds-live&scope=site

14. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/visa-information-

resources/all-visa-categories.html
 Primary Research Interview
Interviewer: Andrea Lucero
Interviewee: John Doe

1. What is your current occupation and what is your raking?

I am a Deportation Officer with Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Immigration
and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Enforcement Removal Operations (ERO). We do not
have rankings since we are not uniform officers.

2. What exactly does your occupation require you to do?

My occupation requires me to remove aliens from the United States (US), who have
violated US Immigration Laws. For example, ICE is responsible for detaining Illegal and
legal aliens (amenable for removal) apprehended by ICE, Customs and Border Protection
Officers (CBP) and Border Patrol Agents (BPA). ICE is responsible to make sure aliens
report to Immigration Proceedings. ICE supervises aliens who are released from custody
on BOND or Released on Own Recognizance while in Immigration Proceeding.

3. Do you feel that your occupation is doing a good job in its required field?
Yes, I believe my field of work has great results with ensuring that criminals aliens who
are amenable for removal or deportation are identified and punished, so that innocent
people don’t get hurt.

4. How do you identify an illegal immigrant?

We investigate people in Jail for the possibility of them being illegally present in the
United States or amenable for removal from the United States It is my occupation to
confirm that an individual is an illegal alien, research database for past offenses and
review fingerprint comparisons. If the investigation results that the individual is an illegal
alien or amenable for removal, we request that they be turned into ICE custody and
placed in an Immigration Detainer. In some states they do no honor Immigration
Detainers and aliens are released from jail without notifying ICE agents.

5. What could your field do to make your job more efficient and helpful?
My job can be more efficient in several ways, First, Congress needs to improve your U.S.
Immigration Laws by removing loop holes that allow aliens and States to circumvent
U.S. Immigration Laws. Second, we have the lowest number of officers compared to
CBP and BP. By staffing more officers will help in the work load. Third, we need more
Immigration Judges and Asylum Officers who decide on Immigration cases. In some
states there is currently three to four years back log for an alien to see an Immigration
Judge. Many immigrants trying to illegally cross through the borders from other countries
other than Mexico, for example like Honduras or El Salvador, naively believe that once
they cross over they are free, many do prepare for legal repercussions.
6. Would your occupation be willing to advocate/encourage immigrants to become citizens
by providing opportunities for them to get proper documentation?
One effect that the borderland sees is the overwhelming intake to assist illegal
immigrants, whether it be government or nongovernment assistance (e.g. advocacy
groups). For instance, food banks suffer from shortages because the city does not have
enough resources, making donations vital. One way of my occupation advocates
immigrants to become citizens is by partnering with US Consulate. We have officers
station at every US Consulate office nationwide. US Consulate is where aliens are
interviewed for obtaining visas for visiting the US. The US Consulate provides
information to aliens on how to legally enter the US.