The Problems with Immigration
Under the conditions of globalization, the very concept of migration changes and presupposes the fulfilment of the basic human right to the freedom of movement and choice. Indeed, the process of migration no more seen as an exclusively forced phenomenon, derived from the poor economic conditions or safety concerns, as many migrants view the change of location as their lifestyle and individual preference. At the same time, the overview of global practices and consequences of the immigration witness about the existence of numerous serious concerns and dilemmas connected with the acceptance and adaptation of immigrants to the new living conditions. In this light, it is possible to state that modern immigration processes present some notable threats to the state and economic security, which calls for the acceptance of the strict rules and regulations of the immigration control and adaptation. This paper will scrutinize the major factors of the immigration and suggest the alternative solutions and possible policy implementation.
Factors Influencing the Economic Security
Commonly, many immigrants are people of the working age, who pretend to obtain the full-time employment and social support in the new country. Typically, the increase of immigration leads to the raise of employees and devaluation of the human labor (Favell, 2016). In other words, the increased demand in employment decreases the actual capacities of the country, leading to the decrease in the regular wages and earnings Fernando Chang-Muy, & Congress, 2015). The absence of the working places frequently leads to the boost of criminal activities and involvement of population in illegal actions (Aliverti, 2012). As a result, the immigration may trigger the raise of criminality and doubt the social safety.
Secondly, every country estimates its budget for the handling of immigration and social adaptation of immigrants. In case of an increased immigration flow, the expenditures naturally raise as well. In other words, the management of immigration processes is a costly process funded by the state and money of the taxpayers (Favell, 2016). On the other hand, it is also true that the workforce of the immigrants brings additional profits to the budget of the country, in case when their activities are officially recorded and regulated. However, the initial stages of immigration management require additional spending for the national and local budgets that may harmfully affect the state economy. In these terms, the economic safety of the country, which accepts large number of immigrants, is under a threat.
Additionally, it is essential to admit that many countries implement the immigrants’ programs, aiming at the cultural, language, social, medical and financial support of the immigrants. On the other hand, the absence of such programs or the mistreatment of the foreign values and attitudes is the other factor, leading to the increased criminality rates, connected with the growth of immigration. In particular, some researchers state that any criminal actions occur based on the religious, cultural and interpersonal conflicts among various social groups (Aliverti, 2012). Therefore, it is possible to conclude that the immigration, despite its potential economic opportunities and benefits for the state, represents some prominent threats for the financial and economic stability.
Social Threats Posed by Immigration
Despite the introduction of adjustment programs and cultural projects, many immigrants find it difficult to accept the foreign outlook, values and interests. As a result, the cultural shock and interpersonal clashes may lead to the misunderstanding of values and conflicts among the citizens (Fitzgerald, Curtis, & Corliss, 2012). Additionally, many native residents and citizens of the country may have some worried prejudices or stereotypes about the immigrants, and it may result in some negative treatments and attitudes. The existence of such conflicts within a country is very dangerous, as it may increase the number of personal attacks, criminal records and decrease the quality of life. In particular, the increase of immigration is frequently associated with the increase of the crimes and criminal activities (Fitzgerald, Curtis, & Corliss, 2012). The researches and studies also point to the interconnection between the criminal records and growth of immigration flow (Fitzgerald, Curtis, & Corliss, 2012). It often happens that the source of such intentions is the financial dependence and scarcity of available resources (Fitzgerald, Curtis, & Corliss, 2012). Obviously, the criminal activities are also typical for the local population, and many immigrants are not responsible for any criminal risks or threats. Nevertheless, it is important to consider the link between the increase of immigration and criminal activities that should be managed on the national level.
The second issue concerns the rapid rates of immigration flow. Some countries are unable to fit great amount of immigrants. The unmotivated growth of population causes difficulties with the opportune and relevant healthcare, social support, educational capacities and other civil services (Fernando Chang-Muy, & Congress, 2015). As a result, many spheres of social life are unable to function properly, promoting the rates of criminal and illegal activities (Aliverti, 2012). Apparently, the inappropriate functioning of the social services pose the direct threats to the civil health and welfare.
Another important question to consider is the diversification of the society under the conditions of immigration. In many cases, the immigrants bring their culture, religion, traditions and beliefs, forming the distinct social groups within the new state. The lack of the adaptation programs may accelerate the cultural gap between the local population and newcomers that can lead to the cultural clashes and, often, physical or verbal offences and crimes (Aliverti, 2012). Unless handled properly, such an approach may result in the segmentation of society and its division into separate, independent and self-sufficient groups. Obviously, the division of the society is a harmful strategy as it brings more chaos and pluralism in the methods and organs of government. Therefore, the country should also remember that the unregulated flow of immigration might become a significant threat to the social security and sustainability.
Solutions and Policy Implications for the Existed Problems
To start with, many solutions, aiming at the reduction of the immigration problems, are rather radical and aggressive in their strategies and policies. In particular, some countries consider strengthening the border control, amplifying the military force for fighting the illegal immigrants, building the walls on the borders or introducing the harsh rules of deportation. On one hand, such methods help to fight the illegal immigration and stabilize the population growth in accordance with the capacities and facilities of the state (Wright, 2012). However, on the other hand, such approaches directly violate the human rights and freedom to movement, causing the ethical and moral dilemmas of humanism and law supremacy. Therefore, the handling above-described problems may be fulfilled with the help of the following methods.
Firstly, the countries can introduce affordable visa programs for immigrants. Such a strategy will allow to record the number of immigrants conducting the interview with the visa applicants and understanding the motives, intentions and values of the potential newcomers (Wright, 2012). Moreover, the availability of visa programs will naturally reduce the number of attempts of illegal immigration and criminal actions as well as facilitate the process of regulation of immigrants. Based on the visa information, the countries will be able to analyze the labor market and adjust the market propositions for the demands and possibilities of the immigrants (Wright, 2012). As a result, the country will benefit from the new workforce and eliminate the financial dependence of immigrants, which may be responsible for the increase of crime rates.
Secondly, the country should develop the complex adaptation programs for the immigrants, which will help them to integrate into the society and understand the lifestyle of the new location. The program may involve the volunteering services of the locals or the paid work of the employees. In both cases, such projects are mutually beneficial for the local residents and immigrants, as they promote the intercultural dialogue and eliminate the intentions and needs for some illegal or criminal activities (Parra Cardona, et al., 2012). The programs should include the language courses, cultural events, social and medical support, and adaptation to the local traditions and values. As a result, this solution will help to avoid the segmentation of society and cultural shock among the social groups.
Thirdly, the countries should introduce the strict regulations on the crime and immigration law in order to protect the social safety and prevent the raise of criminal activities connected with the growth of immigration flow. There are many Criminal Law regulations, which cover the sphere of immigration and protect the citizens from the illegal and criminal actions performed by the newcomers (Aliverti, 2012). The amplification of the legal basis and establishment of the strict punishments for the criminal actions is another policy may help to eradicate the negative effects of immigration.
Conclusion
To sum up, the immigration is a frequent social phenomenon in the modern world, which results in the significant social shifts and changes within the societies. The immigration presents many positive sides and opportunities for the nation states, such as the increase of the workforce, cultural exchange, and promotion of social openness and acceptance of innovations. On the other hand, the immigration may become a significant threat to social, financial and economic security of the country. In addition, the immigration is associated with the devaluation of the wages, lack of employment, criminal activities and cultural conflicts. Nevertheless, the implementation of the right solutions and policies helps to fight the weaknesses of immigration and turn them into opportunities. Among such, the implementation of affordable visa and job programs, adaption projects and cultural exchanges should be considered.
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