In fact, since we spent so much time going through customs, it gave us time to really study the process. It actually made our mindset shift – suddenly we didn’t think they were checking us enough! On more than one occasion, we were asked if we were carrying guns or weapons. When we answered no, we were waived through. Now, before the government monitors this blog post, and thinks I’m alluding to anything – let me clear: We really didn’t have any guns or weapons. It’s just that we wondered why you would take our word. Is that all it takes to get though U.S. border security? Our cars were never checked, and we were never personally searched. Our longest wait time was probably 20 minutes. Keep in mind; we were at one of the largest entry points between the United States and Canada, in which thousands of tourists travel back and forth repeatedly throughout their stay.
Recently, there has been much in the news about the hundreds
of undocumented children showing up at our Southern borders. I don’t support entering any country
illegally, but my heart breaks for any individual that would sacrifice
everything to gain the freedoms we so easily take for granted. I support giving people who want to become
American citizens a chance. We are a
nation of immigrants. That being said,
we are also a country with a target on our backs. It seems risky and utterly ridiculous to me
that a nation as powerful as ours would have unsecured boarders.
I’m interested in knowing your thoughts on the issue, so my
question to you this week is, “Do you think America does a great job of
securing our borders? Do you support
illegal immigrants having a path to American citizenship?” You must answer both questions for full
credit. Just for fun, if you’ve been out
of the country before, share your experience with border patrol!
I hope you guys had a good class this week, and I apologize
about the schedule changes. As a
reminder, we will have a short quiz over chapter 1 next week, and your project
topics will also be due. Thanks to those
who have already emailed me theirs!
I have heard different things about border patrol. Some people say that they are way too harsh and some say they are way too passive. I honestly think that no matter what border your passing they should all be equally regulated.
ReplyDeleteHonestly I don't support illegal immigrants. If they truly wanted to live in America then they need to have a green card if not then they need to go back to their country. There are too many of illegal immigrants that get past border patrol and they find jobs that will pay them under minimum wage and that doesn't help with the people that actually live in America and pay taxes. Honestly I believe that they need to become American citizens or something in order for them to live in America.
I've heard how much America has stepped up control everywhere since 9/11, but that doesn't mean that its true, since its been a few years since 9/11 they could have slacked off. This past spring break for my senior year a bunch of us went to Cozumel Mexico and I thought it was really easy to get through the boarders there and back. That doesn't mean that it is that easy to get into everywhere, but that terrifies me that it can be that easy. I support illegal immigrants coming to America. I believe that everyone should have a chance to have a good life, but I believe it should be done legally. I think anyone who can and wants to take the citizenship test and passes has the right to be an american citizen just like the rest of us.
ReplyDeleteUnfortunately, I look at it as a discrimination issue. The typical American's perception of Canadians are friendly and for the most part we do not have any high strung issues with our northern neighboring country. So in translation our border security lacks importance even though it should because we have been so focused on the border to the South. Do I support giving another human being have all the same freedoms and rights that I have every day? Yes, but I don't support immigrants abusing their desired rights. With that being said, we need to rethink the system becoming an American citizen.
ReplyDeleteFor the most part I believe that the U.S. does not do a very good job of securing our borders, I realize that they try (and I use the term loosely, for example the Texas-Mexico border where illegal immigrants just run over) to do their job,yes I have heard some tighter measures are supposed to have been taken nowadays, but there are still the few that leak through the system undetected. And as far as the issue of illegal immimgrants having a path to citizenship, I believe that if you want to enter this country, you should do so legally, other countries would not be so lenient toward anyone caught coming into their country illegally.
ReplyDeleteI am all for people trying to get ahead in their lives, but not at the cost of the lives of our legal citizens. People that were born in this country are struggling to get jobs to take of their families, yet we employ illegals because they are cheap labor. Illegal means you have done something criminal. Criminals get punished. Punishment is not give them benefits that people born here are being denied. I was denied unemployment benefits after losing my job of 18 years. I was injured in the military and had to go on medical leave for a year. I came back and my job was gone. No benefits for me because I didn't make enough money in the previous six months. An illegal alien can get benefits almost immediately upon his entrance into this country. They get a social security number, driver's license, health benefits, food stamps and normally a job because they work cheap. Their are a lot of Americans suffering that cannot get benefits. Take care of your legal citizens first. A goddamn it secure the freaking borders!!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteI personally do not think this country have secured our boarder properly. I also do not support illegal immigrants coming across those boarders to become American citizens. However, if these immigrants were to come across the legal way I would support it 100%.
ReplyDeleteI think the Americans are doing what they can secure the borders and the illegal immigrants need to be checked to ensure safety for the people living in the United States and they already their own issue as it is and more issues to matter won't help the matter. I the illegal immigrants need to be checked and become a citizen the legal way.
ReplyDeleteI think that America is doing an okay job at securing the borders but at the same time there is more that could be done to insure the safety of American citizens. I have no problem with immigrants wanting to be legal Americans but in most cases they are coming over the borders illegally and this something that I don't support.
ReplyDeleteI think they have secured some but not all, and they can do a better job. Just like you found out that it was easy to move back and forth I am sure someone has figured out the same loop hole as well.
ReplyDeleteAs much I don't support illegal immigrants I do not blame them, rather I sympathize. As an immigrant myself (I am legal) I know how hard it is to be granted access into America. The process, the paperwork, it is all complicated, so before we fault those who are breaking the law we have to look on both sides of the issue. If someone is trying to escape poverty and better themselves and decide to come to the land of opportunities why should they be denied access to cross the boarder simply because you have no family ties. I am sorry to say this but sometimes you have to do what you have to do. Not everyone is out to get you. Most Americans take their privileges for granted because if any of you decide to travel today you can easily get a passport and you don't have to apply for a visa in probably 90% of the world, some people do not have it that good. Yes secure the boarders but do not make the process extra hard because we will end up with more illegal immigrants.
I believe that they do an okay job of securing the border, but could do an even better job at it. I 100% support immigrants having a right to American citizenship, but feel like the process should be followed. Illegal immigration exist because certain circumstances make it impossible for certain people to get into American the legal way. Maybe this circumstances should be more understood by the process.
ReplyDelete
ReplyDeleteI have very mixed feelings about this question. Being from another country I had to go through the process of applying for an F1 student visa. From I started the application process till I was ready to go took over a year. I fully support and understand the need to be thorough when determining whether or not someone should be allowed access, but this amount of time I think was excessive. You have to request a meeting at the embassy, and it will take several months to get an appointment. You also have to pay application and meeting fees in advance (these fees are very high) and there is no refund if you are not granted permission. When I was at the US embassy for one of my many meetings there, I heard so many people get turned down; they did not even get an explanation and had to leave empty handed, and pretty broke after those fees! I was lucky enough to be granted my visa and I am very grateful for that, but on the other hand I can’t help but think “did it really have to take a year to determine whether or not I was a terrorist? And I didn’t even want to enter the country to work and permanently live, I just wanted to be able to study and that way put a lot of money into the American economy, and then get my butt out of here again!
Other than my visa experience I have had multiple experiences entering the country trough different airports, both good and bad.
The very first time I came here I was held in the Chicago airport for 4 hours. They took my passport and bags, two officers escorted me to a room where they then asked me a few questions and then left me for 4 hours. During these hours I missed my connecting flight, was not allowed to have my belongings, was denied bathroom breaks and water. I was not allowed to ask question or speak unless they spoke to me. (One time I asked very politely what the problem was and the officer yelled at me furiously for speaking without being spoken to). This scenario to me is not okay. Especially since I had not done anything and had a valid visa my all my papers in order. This kind of thing has occurred 2 times since the first and every time is miss my flight and almost pee my pants.
On the other hand, I have experienced TSA officers being smiling, friendly, helpful and no trouble at all to get through (like you said, almost too easy to get in). I have been in and out of the country approximately 10 times now and have had a lot of trouble with it about half of those times, so I am not sure if I think they are doing a good job, it’s always either way to easy breezy or it’s a complete nightmare. They definitely need to get their priorities straight, I mean when was the last time 20 year old Danish art students with valid visas were a threat to the national security.
I have actually noticed that almost every time it goes wrong it is in Chicago and every time it is super easy is Toronto!
I definitely think illegal immigrants should have a chance to become citizens just like anyone should have that chance, but it should not be easy. They should not just be like “Oh well you made it in illegally, good for you and have a pleasant stay!” It’s crazy that they make it so hard for honest people applying legally, but so easy for people coming in illegally.
I think that out country does poorly when it comes to boarder control and watching who comes into our country. You always hear about illegal immigrants coming into the country and then being sent back or taken into custody. In my opinion I think people from different countries should have the opportunity to become citizens in out country just like anyone else, but not so easy as many above have said.
ReplyDeleteI feel we do an ok job with boarder patrol, but the fact that we do see a large number of illegal immigrants means there is more that can be done to better protect the boarder. I personally don't have a problem with illegal immigrants, but I do feel rules need to be followed and proper steps should be taken for everyone who wants to cross the boarder.
ReplyDeleteI believe our country does a poor job of protecting our boarders seeing that we still have illegal immigrants crossing the boarders all the time. Of course there will be some issues along the way with all rules but I think things could be more secure and handled better. I personally don't have a problem with people coming over here and becoming a citizen of America- as long as it is done properly.
ReplyDeleteI have been out of the country. I went to St. Thomas. Although it is American territory - I was required to show my passport when returning back to states. That to me was very strange.
I absolutely don't think that America does a good job of securing our borders. On the one hand, I'm sure it's extremely difficult to secure an entire nation's borders. On the other hand, it would take more than just putting up a wire fence and hoping no one goes over, under, or through it. The subject of illegal immigrants is kind of a touchy one. I don't think that people should feel they need to be here illegally rather than go through the legal process of becoming a citizen. I absolutely support immigrants being able to become citizens, but the process we use now is not necessarily the right one.
ReplyDeleteI think that we are doing a horrible job sense we have all these illegal immigrants here.
ReplyDeleteI don't think boarders should be a thing. I think as Americans we spend way to much time focused on being a nation instead of being apart of the world. This is how I would like to see more boarders around the world.
ReplyDeletehttp://lh5.ggpht.com/_GeXmnVoQB9M/S1GMTwzYTLI/AAAAAAAAFE8/zaG7IuAQ1zo/s800/Baarle_Nassau_Belgium_Netherlands_Border_Baarle_Nassau_Baarle_Hertog_Dutch_Belgium_Border_Holland_Belgium_Border_Tarun_Chandel_PhotoBlog.JPG
I believe that we are not doing a good job at securing our borders, seeing that there are so many illegal immigrants that have found there way in to the US border. I do though, believe that immigrants should be able to become American citizens under certain circumstances. We need to come up with rules and regulations for immigrants that want to become citizens in the US.
ReplyDeleteI think immigrants should be allowed in the United States. However, I think we need to check people thoroughly. I'm not sure how secure our borders are but I think it's ridiculous that they didn't even check you guys they just took your word for it. I think it would be hard to secure the United States border but we have millions of people here I'm sure they can hire a few more people to help keep America safe.
ReplyDelete-Christina Padro
I really don't have any knowledge about how America checks on people coming onto our soil until I read the teacher's post about 5 seconds ago. Because of what was said, I totally think they're doing a 'not-so-hot' job.
ReplyDeleteALSO, I don't think illegal immigrants should be allowed over here and be tolerated by the government. It defeats the purpose of them be "illegal" if they can come over here and then get the privileges of a typical citizen.
ReplyDeletehonestly I think our country doesn't have enough security with people crossing boards because its still multiple things being brought through from other countries to America. I think it could be more secure placements.
ReplyDeleteIn my opinion everyone should be able to become legal in the United states. There should be a process that is fairly easy to let others become legal citizens. I have not researched anything or seen any documentaries regarding the American border. But it is my assumption that they are keeping their procedures in top condition. I understand why law enforcement would be hostile to those who attempt to cross the border, because there is always the possibility of invasion. Not full scale, but a slow progression through immigrants who have devised a plan to gather once inside America. I maybe am being paranoid about that but after the history I have been fed it would not surprise me.
ReplyDeleteI have never been out of the country so I don't know much about border control. My best point of reference for security is airport security which can be extremely tedious. That being said I would like to believe and hope that Customs and border patrol have stricter guidelines for entry between borders. I am support of immigrants and am honestly not that concerned how they gained entry into this country. My only hope is that they make the most of the opportunities this country has to offer versus those missing in their country of origin and that they work towards becoming a legal citizen. I think many people fail to realize that so many illegal immigrants are brought here against their will, and several of those who make the sacrifice of sending their children here to give them a better life end up in the human and sex trafficking ring, some are even smuggled from their homes with no intention of entering our country. For these reasons I am not someone who is quick to state how illegal immigrants shouldn't be here and are ruining our country, because you don't always know the circumstances surrounding why they are here.
ReplyDeleteI believe it should be possible for people to become a u.s. citizen if they really do what it takes to actually live in America... and especially if they are trying to lead a better life . as far the border control goes i just think sometimes our security takes things too far.....
ReplyDeleteMy father is from Sweden and while he's been living here for over 20 years now, he is still not a citizen. He's a legal resident. Every year since I've been about 4 my dad has taken me to Sweden to see our relatives there. I have also gotten to visit Denmark and Germany. (The Scandinavian countries (Sweden, Denmark, Norway) are all very close and on good terms with each other. I was able to cross from Sweden to Denmark in only a 20 minute train ride and I was never checked or even had my passport looked at. I think in Europe you can easily hop from country to country just as easily as Americans can drive from state to state. Then again, most European countries are much more peaceful with a lower crime rate so maybe that's why they aren't as strict about border control)
ReplyDeleteBut at the airport returning from Sweden, I felt like me and the rest of the people on my flight were treated like criminals. We were all watched closely by guards as we got off the plane and we were all crammed into a bus shoulder-to-shoulder. We were transported to another part of the airport where our passports, our bodies, and our entire reason for traveling there and coming back was questioned. I understand it was necessary and nothing personal, but I just felt panicky and paranoid that if I messed up or did something wrong, I'd be arrested.
So yes, I think the USA does a great job of securing its borders. And I fully support immigrants becoming American citizens. After all, like you said, we're all descendents of immigrants and considering we're one of the most powerful countries out there and we do get involved with other countries affairs, we have no place telling immigrants that they cannot become citizens. I think immigrants should of course do it legally but who knows. I suppose our borders are so damn secure that it's hard for immigrants to even do it legally, forcing them to sneak across.