Immigration, Technology, and Security: Against and International Regulatory Body

     Immigration is an important topic that is now one of the top issues debated by Presidential candidates in the United States. With the increase reach of global corporations and the human drive for a better existence, the migration of peoples is a subject that must be dealt with. The commissions report help shed light on some of the basic areas that nations must address and some of the challenges they face both globally and domestically.

     An area that the commission and most scholars and politicians in the developed world must deal with is that of political correctness. Throughout the entire report immigrants who entered a country illegally were referred to as irregular migrants. Unless these were migrants who were experiencing some sort of bowel trouble they should be called what they are and that is illegal immigrants. It seems inconsistent to state in the study that ‘irregular’ migrants should be sent back to their own nation (which is a very strong statement) and then not explicitly state the reason for their return.

     The idea of immigrants filling the needs of aging developed nations is an aspect I have yet to think of. Initially I see some favorable aspects in this line of thinking. First, I agree with the commission that it may be necessary to keep our social security system and pension plans running efficiently. Secondly, it would seem an effective tool in the spreading of wealth to developing nations through their remittances. The wealth and knowledge that is returned to these nations upon return of the worker could be a great driver to that economy.

     Now the sixty-four thousand dollar question. How does a nation force a migrant to return to his or her nation of origin? An international body that gets together and produces a report to the Secretary General of the United Nations once a year does not seem a very effective tool. That is not to say there shouldn't be a forum where countries can discuss and share experience, but the power to enforce should remain at the national level.

     With the age of terrorism now upon us it is important to strengthen national borders and that is best done by the nation itself. To grant power of any sort over a nations immigration policy is a direct violation of its sovereignty. Bilateral discussions and forums for the sharing of information or relevant technology are as far as the power should stray from national governments.

Jeffrey Brandon Lee