Issues on the Elevated Death Tolls Of Immigrants

Introduction

Immigration is a constant reality in many parts of the world. Whether as a result of war, economic challenges, or the quest for a better life, individuals move into a different country. Undoubtedly, there are several benefits of immigration to the host country, including an improvement in the economy, diversity in culture and skill set, and increased global ties. However, the journey for many immigrants can also be surrounded by uncertainty and life-threatening challenges. To this end, this article will analyze the elevated death tolls of immigrants and delve into the root causes.

The Current Situation

The statistics surrounding the death tolls of immigrants attempting to enter a new country have been nothing but saddening. It is no secret that many immigrants die before they can even set foot on the host country’s soil. According to the International Organization for Migration (IOM), their records show that around 50,000 immigrants died in 2020. This number tripled in 2019, when an estimated 16,000 immigrants were pronounced dead. These deaths were a result of factors such as drowning in the Mediterranean Sea, suffocation in trucks, or dehydration in deserts.

The number of immigrants who died while attempting to enter the United States between 1998 to 2017 was 7,209. However, this number could be higher, as some demographics are not captured. For instance, the number of deaths in places like the Arizona desert, which is a haven for illegal immigrants, is not clear. To address this and collect relevant data, the Colibri Center for Human Rights has established a Missing Migrant Project to track the deaths and demography of immigrants in the desert.

The Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic

The COVID-19 pandemic has further worsened the situation for immigrants. The restrictions placed on traveling, lockdowns, and border closures have resulted in increased deaths. The IOM estimated that 3,244 immigrants died in 2020 from COVID-19, while others died from the stress that came with the pandemic. For instance, in the US, several immigrants died from not receiving healthcare services, absence of personal protective equipment, or lack of access to essential goods and services.

Why Is the Death Toll of Immigrants Elevated?

Several factors contribute to the elevated death tolls of immigrants.

Political Factors

A significant reason immigrants undertake perilous journeys is due to political instability in their home country. For instance, the war in Syria was a reason many immigrants fled their home country. The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees states that the Syrian crisis has resulted in over 6.6 million individuals fleeing the country. Many of them attempt to reach Europe through the Mediterranean Sea. Other countries that contribute to the high fatalities include Afghanistan, Nigeria, Honduras, Guatemala, India, and Bangladesh.

Socioeconomic Factors

The other reason immigrants take on such dangerous journeys is due to socioeconomic challenges in their home country. Many individuals travel to find better economic opportunities and an escape from poverty. For instance, many Africans and South Americans undertake dangerous routes to enter the United States in search of economic opportunities. A study conducted by the Pew Research Center showed that in 2018, around 12% of the American population were immigrants, and between 2010 and 2018, about 700,000 undocumented immigrants gained legal status, mostly due to family connections or employment opportunities.

Methods Used to Enter Host Countries

Based on reports from the IOM, thousands of immigrants attempt to enter the United States and Europe illegally every year. In most cases, they may not have the necessary documentation, or they enter countries with falsified documents. Such immigrants undertake the dangerous journeys through hazardous terrains such as deserts and seas. In many instances, they do not have money to pay for safe passage but opt for cheaper, more dangerous routes such as deactivating security fences and crossing borders undetected. This is often the point when they are arrested and detained by border control agents.

Furthermore, human smugglers also contribute to the problem. Many immigrants pay these smugglers to help them cross the borders into host countries. However, some smugglers have been discovered to provide little protection for their clients, resulting in fatalities. Additionally, some immigrants have been forced to work under inhumane conditions, faced with sexual abuse, and have had their organs harvested by smugglers.

Improving the Situation

Several steps can be taken to reduce the number of fatalities. These steps may include humanitarian cooperation, policy changes, and sensitization programs.

Humanitarian Cooperation

The first step is to establish more significant cooperation between countries that have a significant number of immigrants and host countries. Such cooperation will ensure that governments and international bodies take responsibility for ensuring safe passage for the immigrants. In addition, coordination between host countries and nations where immigrants come from would enable long-term capacity building to address critical challenges such as poverty and political instability.

Policy Changes

Another solution would be for policy changes to be taken by host countries. Providing easier channels for legal migration would significantly reduce the number of fatalities. The United Nations, in their Global Compact for Migration, stated that policies should be made to address the root causes of migration, prevent irregular migration, promote legal channels, and strengthen integration. Additionally, creating measures to facilitate getting the necessary documents by individuals from countries in volatile situations is vital.

Sensitization Programs

Finally, sensitization programs are necessary to enlighten people in volatile nations on the risks that come with migrating through dangerous routes. They should also be informed of the legal processes of migration and human rights abuses that could occur during the journey. Such programs could be organized by governments, and non-governmental organizations that would help to spread awareness and mitigate the risks of migration.

Conclusion

The elevated death tolls of immigrants are a problem that has taken on great significance in recent years. While it is unlikely that the number of immigrants would decrease, it is vital that effective steps are taken to mitigate the fatalities. It is clear that to address this issue effectively, governments of individual countries must take responsibility. Greater cooperation between host and source countries is necessary to ensure safe passage. Policy changes must also be taken, while sensitization programs must be made available to potential migrants. The current situation is unacceptable, and we must work together towards a better future.

It is necessary to address the issues surrounding the elevated death toll of immigrants along the border in order to find solid solutions for the victimized immigrants. There exists a need for the United States to be in effective and constant communication with the Mexican government and to constitute, on both parties, solid immigration policies that are frequently kept in check. The immigrant issues of being terrorized by Americans on the other side of the border of Mexico and the United States is simply unacceptable and the two governments must discuss the ways in which to close the rising rate of illegal immigrants sneaking into America, in addition to the high death rate along the border.

There are measures and ways to resolve this growing concern in a diplomatic and civil manner:

There can be an agreement consulted over and created for the safety and protection of immigrants. There should also be an active waiting list that is mutually disclosed and there should be compromised policies that are overseen and tracked by both nations as to best follow and track immigrant background, history, location and conduct.

There can be a campaign in Mexico to address the growing concerns of immigrants crossing the border and to speak on some of concerns associated with it.

Methods that present ways to educate immigrants and their respective nations of the documented and legal route to becoming an American citizen; without which would be an illegal immigrant route subject to heavy penalties and fines.

Expand the business opportunities within Mexico by partnering to outsource work and create employment opportunities within their nation, which would mutually benefit the host nation as well as the respective nation of origin.

The prevention of immigrant deaths through the proper education and sharing of reports and case studies of different tragedies caused by past attempts to immigrate.

The creation of a public offering and announcement of set times and appointed people to be allowed to immigrate instead of nurturing the common theme of residing in secrecy.

Through public awareness and educational campaigns and new distribution, anyone can learn the right way from the wrong to entering another country. Programs must be instated in the hopes that immigrants will come to recognize the inherent dangers and risks that culminate as a result of illegal immigration. Providing both resources to gain legal entry, as well as the imposition of punishments in response to attempts at illegal entry.