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Repatriate all Illegal Immigrants

Should governments repatriate all illegal immigrants to their countries of origin?

All the Yes points:

  1. The only way to stop the problem of illegal immigration is to take a hard-line stance and adopt poli…
  2. Many countries such as the United Kingdom, Italy and the United States attract illegal immigrants be…
  3. Illegal Immigration is linked to dangerous criminal activity such as people and drug trafficking, te…
  4. Illegal immigrants cost the state in money, time and resources. In the USA studies have shown that i…
  5. Illegal immigrants undercut the labour market by accepting low wages and working under illegal condi…
  6. Failing to remove illegal immigrants undermines public confidence in the government and its migratio…

All the No points:

The only way to stop the problem of illegal immigration is to take a hard-line stance and adopt poli…

Yes because…

The only way to stop the problem of illegal immigration is to take a hard-line stance and adopt policies of repatriation. Illegal immigrants are breaking the law and are harming the interests of citizens and legal migrants. The rules on immigration need to come with tough sanctions to ensure that they are not exploited or broken in the future. The only way to have an effective policy against illegal immigration is to make it difficult for illegal immigrants to get into and remain in the country. Repatriation is necessary because it targets successful illegal immigrants and ensures a comprehensive immigration policy that aims to reduce illegal immigration.

No because…

There are many alternatives to a repatriation policy that will more effectively target the problems caused by illegal immigration. Countries can toughen border controls and have better systems in place for granting asylum. Voluntary repatriation is unworkable, even if accompanied by financial assistance, because many illegal immigrants want to stay in the country.

Repatriation also runs the risk of putting illegal immigrants at risk of harm when they return to their country of origin. Instead of simply requiring the immigrants to leave, repatriation sends them home. Many are fleeing persecution, human rights abuses, violent crime, war and famine. Sending them home is a violation of their human rights.

Repatriating illegal immigrants is also inhumane because many illegal immigrants have been in the country for years. Many have started families and will be separated from them if returned home because children born in a country are usually granted citizenship. There have been cases in Canada and the UK where mothers have faced being separated from their children because they were going to be repatriated.

Many countries such as the United Kingdom, Italy and the United States attract illegal immigrants be…

Yes because…

Many countries such as the United Kingdom, Italy and the United States attract illegal immigrants because they are seen as a ‘soft’ target with poor border controls and the opportunity for illegal immigrants to remain in the country without detection. Repatriation sends a message to potential illegal migrants that their presence in the country will not be tolerated and that any attempt to stay in the country illegally will be unsuccessful.

No because…

Repatriation will not stop the numbers of people coming to the country. Illegal immigration does not occur because a country is a ‘soft touch’: very few, if any, countries have no problems with illegal immigration. The reasons behind immigration are social, political and economic and have nothing to do with an individual country’s policy on illegal immigration. Those who turn to illegal immigration are often desperate and will pay no attention to the immigration policies of a country. A repatriation policy would be never-ending and a waste of time and money. It would be better to target only those illegal immigrants who pose a proven risk of harm to society.

Illegal Immigration is linked to dangerous criminal activity such as people and drug trafficking, te…

Yes because…

Illegal Immigration is linked to dangerous criminal activity such as people and drug trafficking, terrorism and the sex trade. This is both dangerous for those involved in illegal immigration but also increases the criminal activity in a country, putting lawful residents at risk. Repatriating illegal immigrants would lead to fewer opportunities for criminal networks to gain entry to the country. The state also has a duty to protect its citizens from the harms associated with illegal immigration. Illegal immigration fuels dangerous industries such as prostitution and the drug trade, repatriating illegal immigrants cuts off a vital source of labour for these industries and could contribute to the eradication of these industries.

No because…

A repatriation policy will not effectively target this area of illegal immigration because criminal networks will always find ways of smuggling people into a country and evading detection. All a repatriation policy will do is make these gangs more sophisticated when it comes to hiding illegal immigrants.

Having a zero-tolerance policy on illegal immigration will also make it harder for those who are trafficked to escape from criminal gangs because if they contact the authorities they will be sent home. This gives the criminals behind people-trafficking more power over their victims and will lead to worse living/working conditions in illegal industries.

Illegal immigrants cost the state in money, time and resources. In the USA studies have shown that i…

Yes because…

Illegal immigrants cost the state in money, time and resources. In the USA studies have shown that illegal immigrants are a net cost to the government rather than a net benefit. Illegal immigrants are a drain on healthcare and social services such as policing and education. They take taxpayer’s money away from those who are lawfully entitled to use these services and put a burden on the state. The only way to alleviate these burdens is by repatriating illegal immigrants.

No because…

Many illegal immigrants pay taxes and actually contribute to the economy of a country. Every time an illegal immigrant buys something, they pay the same amount of sales tax or VAT as any other person. In the United Kingdom, illegal immigrants also pay income tax and national insurance if they are working. It is impossible to prove that all illegal immigrants are a drain on the system and so their cost to society cannot be used as a justification for repatriation policies.

Illegal immigrants undercut the labour market by accepting low wages and working under illegal condi…

Yes because…

Illegal immigrants undercut the labour market by accepting low wages and working under illegal conditions. This is harmful to lawful residents because it takes employment opportunities away from them and encourages employers to seek illegal labour in order to keep costs down. Removing the illegal workforce would increase the number of jobs available to lawful residents and force employers to pay fair wages and provide safe working conditions.

No because…

The illegal workforce is a necessary part of the economy because lawful residents do not want jobs such as casual labour, agricultural or domestic jobs. Illegal immigrants often provide vital services that would otherwise be too expensive or hard to find if regular workers were employed e.g. cleaning, childcare and manual labour. Goods would become too expensive to produce if, for example, parts of the agriculture industry had to employ lawful residents/migrants.

Failing to remove illegal immigrants undermines public confidence in the government and its migratio…

Yes because…

Failing to remove illegal immigrants undermines public confidence in the government and its migration policy. People believe that allowing those who have no right to remain in the country to stay on means the whole immigration system is broken. Legitimate migrants such as refugees, students and those with visas for work will be lumped together with illegal immigrants, and calls will grow for all forms of migration to be restricted. Populist feeling may also be inflamed against ethnic minorities, with increased social tensions.

No because…

Governments need to rethink migration policies as a whole and make an attempt to communicate the benefits of immigration to their citizens. There need to be more opportunities for foreign workers to operate legally, allowing them to leave and re-enter the country as they wish. This will remove the current incentive for many illegal immigrants to stay in their host country for life, as at present they know they are unlikely to be allowed back in should they ever leave.

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