Recently, a statement from U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas seemed to pour cold water on many pursuing the "American Dream," leaving many feeling disappointed.
Following a large-scale repatriation operation in June, the U.S. has launched another charter flight initiative targeting illegal immigrants, returning a second batch of Chinese citizens who entered the U.S. illegally.
This news quickly sparked heated discussions in public opinion, with varied reactions from different sectors of society—some felt helpless, while others expressed agreement, and online, there were voices criticizing "illegal immigrants."
In fact, this repatriation operation is not coincidental but a direct reflection of the tightening immigration policies and increased border controls in the U.S. in recent years.
Since the Biden administration took office in 2021, the number of illegal immigrants has continuously risen, and incidents of smuggling have frequently occurred, leading to growing dissatisfaction and protests within the U.S. regarding this phenomenon.
To address this situation and stabilize its political base, the Biden administration has had to adopt harsher measures to crack down on illegal immigration, aiming to garner more voter support in the upcoming 2024 presidential election.
Notably, the proportion of Chinese citizens in this repatriation operation is quite high.
According to statistics from the Pew Research Center, over 90,000 Chinese citizens illegally entered the U.S. in 2022, making China the third-largest source country of illegal immigrants, following Mexico and India.
This figure reveals a harsh reality: an increasing number of Chinese people are attempting to set foot on this land, once viewed as a land of opportunity, through illegal means.
However, what awaits them is not the "paradise" of their dreams, but a harsh and indifferent reality.
The repatriated Chinese citizens not only face hefty fines and long flight bans but also endure immense pressure from family and society.
They set out with hopes of a better life, only to return home filled with pain and regret.
So, what drives these individuals to take such enormous risks and embark on the difficult path of illegal immigration?
Some pursue better education and employment opportunities, while others wish to escape domestic competition and difficulties; some are even lured by unscrupulous agents, mistakenly believing the U.S. is a glittering "paradise."
However, America is not without its problems; social issues such as racial discrimination, wealth disparity, and gun violence significantly affect its social stability and development.
For those without legal status, illegal immigrants are unable to enjoy social welfare in the U.S. and constantly face the risk of arrest, detention, and deportation.
More importantly, the U.S. government's attitude toward illegal immigrants has shifted from previously "turning a blind eye" to the current "strict prevention."
To curb the tide of illegal immigration, the U.S. government has increased border patrol efforts and implemented a series of strict immigration policies, such as building a barrier along the U.S.-Mexico border, restricting asylum applications, and expediting repatriation processes.
In this context, those attempting to enter the U.S. illegally are like walking on a knife's edge, as a small misstep could lead to disaster.
The issue of illegal immigration in the U.S. is not merely a social phenomenon; it conceals deep historical roots and complex political factors that merit deeper reflection.
For a long time, the U.S. has touted itself as a global haven for immigrants under the banner of "freedom and democracy," attracting talented individuals and capital from around the world to promote its economic development.
However, at the same time, the U.S. frequently intervenes in the internal affairs of other countries, creating regional instability that leads to a flood of refugees and illegal immigrants, thus bringing social burdens and security risks to itself.
It can be said that the root of the illegal immigration problem in the U.S. lies in its long-standing hegemonism and strongman politics, policies that have led to the current predicament.
The U.S. enjoys the benefits of globalization on one hand while offloading the contradictions and problems arising from development onto other countries, a practice that is undoubtedly irresponsible.
In the face of the increasingly severe issue of illegal immigration, both the Chinese and U.S. governments recognize that only by strengthening cooperation can they jointly combat illegal immigration crimes and fundamentally resolve this problem.
In recent years, China and the U.S. have actively cooperated in combating illegal immigration and have achieved certain results.
For example, both sides have signed agreements to combat transnational crime and repatriation, established joint law enforcement mechanisms, and conducted information sharing and joint operations.
Of course, there are still some differences and challenges between the two countries regarding the fight against illegal immigration.
For instance, there are discrepancies in the standards and procedures for repatriating illegal immigrants, and some political forces in the U.S. may obstruct cooperation between the two countries for their own interests.
Nevertheless, the common interests of China and the U.S. in combating illegal immigration still outweigh their differences.
It is believed that through mutual efforts, difficulties can be overcome, cooperation strengthened, and the legitimate rights and interests of both peoples maintained, thus upholding international immigration order.
For those Chinese who still harbor the "American Dream," it is essential to recognize reality, choose legal and safe immigration paths, and avoid being misled by the false advertisements of unscrupulous agents that could lead to "losing both people and money."
However, placing the blame for the issue of illegal immigration entirely on the immigrants themselves is evidently not comprehensive.
The U.S. government's long-standing "double standard" in immigration issues, along with its constantly changing immigration policies, is also a significant factor contributing to the escalation of illegal immigration phenomena.
The U.S. attitude towards immigration has long been contradictory and vacillating; on one hand, it needs to attract global talent and capital to maintain economic vitality;
On the other hand, society harbors suspicion and exclusion towards immigrants, fearing they will seize job opportunities and resources.
This contradictory mindset is directly reflected in the U.S. immigration policy.
For high-educated and high-skilled "quality" immigrants, the U.S. government usually welcomes them and provides various conveniences, hoping they will contribute to the country's economic development.
However, for immigrants lacking skills and capital, the government adopts a restrictive or even exclusionary stance, viewing them as social burdens and destabilizing factors.
This "double standard" has led to a peculiar phenomenon: those who can genuinely contribute to society as quality immigrants often find it challenging to obtain legal status and must "curve" their way into the U.S. through various means;
Meanwhile, low-skilled immigrants can more easily enter illegally because they often find employers willing to hire cheap labor.
To cope with the pressure brought by illegal immigration, the U.S. government has tightened immigration policies in recent years, enhanced border control, and increased crackdowns on illegal immigrants.
However, these measures can only alleviate immediate problems and are unlikely to fundamentally resolve the immigration issue; they may even complicate it further.
For instance, building barriers along the U.S.-Mexico border not only incurs enormous costs but also damages the local ecology, facing strong opposition from neighboring countries.
Additionally, practices such as limiting asylum applications and expediting repatriation processes have faced widespread criticism from the international community, which believes the U.S. is abandoning its long-standing image as a "defender of human rights."
It can be said that the issue of illegal immigration in the U.S. encapsulates its own social contradictions and policy flaws.
If these issues are not fundamentally resolved, merely strengthening border control and cracking down on illegal immigration will ultimately be futile.
The "American Dream" was once a beautiful aspiration for countless individuals, symbolizing freedom, equality, and opportunity.
However, with social development and changes, this dream now faces many challenges and predicaments.
For those Chinese who still hold onto the "American Dream," it is important to view this dream rationally and not be deceived by false propaganda and temptations.
Before making immigration decisions, they should comprehensively understand the social realities of the U.S., immigration policies, and their own actual situations, making thorough preparations and choosing the most suitable immigration path.
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