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Family in a Turkish Village

Acrylic on Canvas/ Black Metal Frame/ $600

Foreigners are often unfairly distrusted. Their customs, food and looks may differ and they eat strange foods and pray to strange gods but there is no reason to mock them for being poor, hungry and fearful of war. Rather than being praised for the courage it took to emigrate, they get belittled and bullied by those with a need to feel superior.

What about refugees?

There are other ways to discourage refugees from coming to the United States than by banning them, building a wall, putting them in camps, or taking financial aid away from their country of origin. Let’s look at Mexico and explore how their emigration problem was turned around.

According to Pew a Research center, between 2009-2014, approximately 870,000 people left Mexico to come to the states while 1 million Mexicans and their families left the U.AS. for Mexico. The overall decline has several reasons, but the primary one is family reunification. Returning migrants say that life in the U.S> is no better or worse than in Mexico. The Mexican economy has grown significantly of the past years. in 2017, it increased by 2.4 percent and tat growth is expected to remain stable in 2018 and 2019.  Their monetary policy is independent and reliable, programs combating poverty have improved and exports continue to expand. 

 But, the part that interests me most, is that and increase in private and public investment from our’s and other countries also helped their economy grow. Funds from the U.S. were used to support emerging businesses, build factories and create jobs. Since that it is easier for Mexicans to earn a living in their own communities, leaving home is less enticing. It is quite paradoxical to hear that Mexico takes jobs away from the U.S. when we have such a difficult time filling jobs now that the unemployment rate is so low.

It might surprise you to learn that the greatest increase in illegal immigration comes from India and China, mostly as a result of visa overstays. Those of us who are news hounds are following the uptick of people traveling north from Central America. The 7000 refugee-strong caravans heading for our boarder sounds overwhelmingly huge. How can we deal with so many desperate people? Lets look at the facts, not the hype. NPR reported that most of refugees will remain in Mexico, and those who continue on to our boarder will ask for legal asylum. The United States accepts one million migrants from around the world annually.

Most immigrants don’t want to leave their homes. They prefer to live surrounded by friends and family. How do we help them stay put? The best way to insure that they will stay home is to help their economy grow and develop legal and political stability   Funds to Honduras, El Salvatore and Guatemala need to be increased instead of being taken away as punishment. Aid must be given in such a way as to benefit those in need rather than corrupt politicians. In addition, businesses should be encouraged to establish satellites operations in struggling economies to bring about financial stability with increased job opportunities. It will help grow a middle class ready to trade with the U.S. and others, creating win-win situations.

Early studies in anthropology made me aware that an uneven distribution of wealth eventually leads to chaos and violence. Those in poverty have no choice but to find ways to eat and survive. Eventually they are forced to migrate, revolt or wage war. What I share next, is an oversimplification, but it rings true in the aggregate.

  Lets go back to before 2014—before war and poverty in the Middle East and Africa created a refugee crisis for Europe. Consider the twenty-seven countries that make up the European Union as a modern day example of a non-violent way to share wealth and resources and eliminate fighting between nations. (The U.S. set the example) Citizens are free to cross intra-European borders in search of work, educational opportunities, a higher standard of living or a more desirable climate. Boarders can remain open because, in general, EU members have stable economies.  

          The reasons people most often state for moving is to be with loved ones, lifestyle and environment. At one time, Poland had the largest number of emigrants, but that  changed as their economy improved. Less wealthy countries like Romania, Bulgaria and Croatia do put pressure on the more affluent countries but, in general, migrants have been helped in a way that pulls people out of poverty. 

Yes, there are conflicts, but they are discussed and managed because there is a will to keep the Union together. Countries that get into trouble, as did Greece, are aided with bail out packages. Last August, Greece proudly exited its third government bailout. Their recovery has been difficult, but Greece is expected to continue its slow climb towards solvency.

When nations join together to improve struggling economies, the wealthier ones benefit as well. Look at China.Years ago it was a third world country. Today it is a trading partner that supports a good portion of the U.S. debt. Yes there are hurdles to overcome because they don’t always play fair. But, in general, China has been good for us. Walmart, Apple, Columbia Sportswear are a few of the US companies that are thrive because of China is no longer a third world country.  Despite President Trump’s tweets, the U.S. auto industry is thriving because of trade. Lat year we imported 58,000 ($1.5 billion) Chinese made cars and sold 267,000 ($ 9.9 billion) to China.

  A capitalistic society like we have in the U.S. should do everything it can to promote prosperity for all. Burgeoning middle classes open markets for our goods. It is time to look at migrant caravans as opportunities to do the right thing. Help these frustrated desperate are  people overcome hopelessness by finding a way for them to return home to make a living.

References:

Gonzalez-Barrera, (2014) More Mexicans Leaving Than Coming to the U.S. Pew research Center.retrieved from http://www.pewhispanic.org/2015/11/19/more-mexicans-leaving-than-coming-to-the-u-s/

Duara,N & Carcamo,C. (2015) Why fewer Mexicans are leaving their homeland for the U.S. LA Times. retrieve from http://www.latimes.com/nation/la-na-ff-mexican-immigration-20151118-story.html

Zong, J. & Batalova,J. (2018) Mexican Immigrants in the United States. Migration Policy Institute. retrieved from https://www.migrationpolicy.org/article/mexican-immigrants-united-states

Gurria, A. (2018) Global and Mexico Economic Outlook 2018. Better Policies for Better Lives seminar. retrieved from http://www.oecd.org/mexico/global-and-mexico-economic-outlook-2018.htm

Forecasts from Leading Economists (2018) Greece Economic Outlook. Focus Economics. retrieved from https://www.focus-economics.com/countries/greece

Koikkalainen, S. (2011)Free Movement in Europe: Past and Present. Migration Policy Institute. Retrieved from https://www.migrationpolicy.org/article/free-movement-europe-past-and-present/

International Monetary Fund, (2017) Association of Accredited Public Policy Advocates to the European Union. Richest and Poorest EU Countries. retrieved from http://www.aalep.eu/richest-and-poorest-eu-countries

Jenkins, A. (2018) President Trump is Angry about How China Treats American Automakers. But the U.S. Is Actually Winning. Fortune Magazine, retrieved from http://fortune.com/2018/04/09/donald-trump-china-car-tariffs/