Artifact 4: Texas Governor Bolsters Border

http://www.nytimes.com/2014/07/22/us/perry-to-deploy-national-guard-troops-to-mexico-border.html?module=Search&mabReward=relbias%3Ar%2C%7B%222%22%3A%22Rl%3A15%22%7D&_r=0

Immigration policies have always provoked political debate, and have sometimes even left the country completely divided. This is certainly true with the current border crisis. Nobody is quite sure how to fix the problem, and unity is nearly impossible, even within the political parties. Should we be trying to prevent teens from crossing the border? Or making it easier for them to cross legally and become citizens? How should we be treating them if they do make it across? These are just a few questions among many raised by the border crisis. And like all ethical questions, there are no simple solutions.

Texas has been the state most affected by the border crisis, as it shares a border with Mexico. Citizens living throughout the state, and especially along the border, have insisted that the Texas government make decisions quickly. However, some people want to aid the immigrants and others want to prevent them from crossing. The governor, Rick Perry, announced that he will send 1,000 National Guard troops to the border so that fewer people are able to cross it illegally.

Mr. Perry justified his resolution saying that terrorist organizations, drug dealers, and numerous other organizations were "benefiting from the diversion of resources to deal with the wave of Central American Immigration." By enforcing more security, not only will the flow of immigrants be controlled, but these detrimental organizations will also be less likely to cause harm.

This decision has resulted in varied reactions. Many agree with Mr. Perry's decision and support his reasoning. They argue that this response is rational and that the National Guard is fully qualified to deal with this humanitarian crisis.

However, others believe that Mr. Perry made this decision just to gain political "points" and attention, as there is a possibility that Mr. Perry will be running for the 2016 presidential election. The democrats in the state are urging the governor to be more open and welcoming to the children. They argue that these children are escaping from violence, rape, and poverty and it is up to us to let them lead a new life.

Many assumptions and preconceived ideas are made by both the supporters and criticizers of this decision. Is it fair to neglect thousands of children in order to stop drug cartels? Is this the only way? And is every single child who attempts to cross the border coming from a violent home? Should this be automatically assumed when trying to deal with the border crisis? These are hard and time-consuming questions that may never get answered but are interesting to think about when forming opinions on immigration.

Reyna did come from a life of poverty and even violence. Knowing her story, I think it would be very unfair to deny her access across the border. Getting across the border was already very hard for her; It took three tries. Even with her past, she was able to go to school and become a successful author. Every child who crosses the border has a different story, and has the potential to become a great person. Each option for dealing with the border crisis has both positive and negative consequences. It is important to weigh all of the consequences, including those on the immigrants in order to make a good choice.

~Rose Domonoske