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How Natural Disasters Increase Illegal Immigration

How Natural Disasters Increase Illegal Immigration

Natural Disasters and Illegal Immigration: An Overview

Natural disasters are events that can cause enormous damage to property and human life. These events can also create economic and social problems for those affected. Natural disasters can also lead to an increase in illegal immigration. The following article outlines how natural disasters can lead to illegal immigration.

Impact of Natural Disasters on the Economy

Natural disasters can cause severe economic damages in countries affected by them. These disasters can damage infrastructure, disrupt power and water supplies, and cut off transport links. In many cases, businesses may struggle to remain open, workers may lose their jobs, and agricultural production may decline. The impact of these events can be significant, particularly in developing countries where there may not be enough financial resources to fund recovery efforts.

Impact of Natural Disasters on Employment

Natural disasters can lead to a loss of employment opportunities for those living in affected regions. This loss of work may be due to the closure of businesses, reduction in demand for goods and services, or the inability to travel to work due to damaged infrastructure. Those who have lost their jobs may seek employment elsewhere, often by travelling to other countries illegally.

Impact of Natural Disasters on Migration

Natural disasters can also cause mass migration from affected areas. This migration can occur within the borders of a country or involve crossing international borders. Displaced individuals may travel to neighbouring countries or seek refuge in other countries. Many of these individuals may not have the correct documentation, and as a result, will be undocumented migrants.

Impact of Natural Disasters on Humanitarian and Immigration Policies

Natural disasters can also lead to changes in humanitarian and immigration policies. Governments may need to evacuate individuals from affected regions, provide temporary accommodation or even permanent relocation. Some governments may also relax immigration policies to allow for the entry of displaced individuals. These changes in policies could make it easier for undocumented migrants to enter a country illegally.

Conclusion

Natural disasters can cause a range of problems, including the increase of illegal immigration. These events can result in economic challenges, loss of employment opportunities, and mass migration from affected regions. Governments must implement new policies to address the challenges posed by these disasters while also ensuring that those who enter a country serve as documented migrants. There is a need for global cooperation and collaboration to address the impact of natural disasters on illegal immigration.


Another primary reason for illegal immigration can be prompted by a natural disaster like an earthquake, tsunami or hurricane. In these instances, a person will lose their home and all of their belongings in the tragic event at hand. In the most recent natural disaster that began on January 14, 2010, Haiti’s earthquake – with magnitude of 7.0 –  had hit the capital of Port-aux-Prince.

As did many Haitians left homeless and destitute, thousands of victims may choose to seek refuge through the immigration to another country or state. In addition, many other historical natural disasters have called for a global relief effort, which has propelled for the immigration of hundreds of millions of people over the course of history including:

The 1980 eruption of Mount St. Helene in Washington

The 1993 Snowstorm that swept across the Eastern and Central U.S.

The 2005 Hurricane Katrina

Haitians in America are using this occurrence to leverage the humanitarian aid by requesting approval of residency for the illegal immigration of Haitian-Americans. Lincoln Diaz-Balart, a Cuban-American Republican member of Congress, was quoted asking, “How much does Haiti have to suffer before Haitians in the United States are granted TPS pursuant to the law?”

This is a controversial period to bring up the long-debated concern of illegal immigration, but immigration rates may very well rise after this past week’s unfortunate turn of events. The presidential administration under Barack Obama has promised to do all they can in aiding the Haitian relief organization, and have offered play host for many displaced persons. Additionally, talks of new immigration policies will be presented in the new presidential light as early as the end of January.

At the moment, Haitian-American activists, immigrant advocates, as well as South Florida lawmakers are all at once lobbying the presidential administration under Barack Obama in order to prevent Haitian immigrants from being deported back to Haiti – a country that is in absolute ruin.

Their goal will be to persuade the administration to grant about 30,000 Haitian nationals to have TPS, or Temporary Protected Status as to not be seen as an offender of illegal immigration.  Obama has and will continue to receive tremendous amounts of pressure for the relief efforts and tremendous progress a granted TPS for suffering Haitians would provide.

A decision like this may rouse concern and discontent among American citizens, as well a massive amount of media attention. Regardless, Barack Obama has a crucial decision to make in the following days and weeks. Whatever the outcome of his ruling, the rest of the world will be watching with discerning eyes. Can America be unselfish and humanitarian with its immigration policies?  That is the ultimate question.