Is the northern border next?
For decades, our nation’s southern border, from the Pacific to the Gulf, has been the focus of concern over illegal immigration.
Headlines about some who are in the country illegally committing other serious crimes are nothing new. Yet, North Dakota has been relatively far removed from them. That’s begun to change.
While the debate rages over the level of concern regarding illegal immigration and the steps that should be taken to combat it, most agree that those who are in our nation illegally, and who commit other serious crimes, should be prosecuted and/or deported.
North Dakota is, of course, a border state, but our border is different…or so we’ve always believed. After all, the border we share with Canada is a friendly one. Our state and its neighboring Canadian province are home to the International Peace Garden, which marks the longest, peaceful, unguarded border between nations.
Is that border beginning to change?
During the previous presidential administration, untold huge numbers of people from nations scattered throughout the earth came to America illegally, most crossing the southern border to get here. Some welcomed them as distressed, persecuted or endangered people seeking freedom and safety and, certainly, some fit that description and deserve asylum protection. Others, however, came for other reasons and, recent arrests and deportations have shown, present a much different presence in America.
Our current president has reversed the previous policy and has, essentially, sealed the southern border and tasked federal law enforcement and criminal justice personnel at his disposal with rounding up, prosecuting and deporting as many of the latter category as possible. That, of course, has also created controversy, as witnessed in recent events in Minneapolis.
The larger question for many of us is “How does all of this affect North Dakota?”
Of course, like other states, North Dakota has seen an influx of those from other nations, albeit perhaps to a lesser extent. That, in itself, is not a problem, provided that those coming here do so legally and seek the American dream and assimilation that many of our forbears pursued. If they’re here illegally and if they commit other, violent, crimes, however, that’s another story.
Observers have noted an increase in such arrests and prosecutions in recent years — enough so to make it clear that the once relatively isolated North Dakota is not unaffected by national trends.
An even more salient question may be how our northern border is changing. While those trafficking drugs and people have traditionally focused upon the southern border, with it being sealed, for all intents and purposes, it is reasonable to expect such evil doers to turn their focus north to a larger, less protected, more accessible border. Evidence shows that that’s exactly what’s begun to happen.
You may recall the story, a few short years ago, of a family from across the globe freezing to death while wandering near the northern border after being dumped in harsh, unfamiliar winter conditions by those who were aiding their attempt to get to America (and who had probably been paid to illegally do so).
Other stories which raise concerns have surfaced. Violent and drug-related crimes committed by those here illegally have been reported with some regularity.
Yet another story just hit the news today, reporting that a federal grand jury in Stanley has indicted two Mexican men on multiple child exploitation charges, following an investigation in northwestern North Dakota which spanned months.
What does all of this have to do with the Northern border?
Reports indicate that a fair amount of federal law enforcement focus has been directed to the northern border. Hopefully, that will prevent it from becoming the “new” southern border.
Many have pointed out that our immigration laws need to change and be updated. That may be true but, in the meantime, we should guard our borders and focus upon welcoming legal immigrants and prosecuting and/or deporting those who break the law.