Water, climate change, and the right-wing disinformation ecosystem...the Border Chronicle founders discuss what should be on everyone's radar when we talk about the borderlands.
Thank you. Loved this format. Critically important conversation. Would love to hear what a positive counter argument for migration could/should be. Discuss/interview some 3rd party candidates?
Buenas tardes! Definitely enjoyed this podcast. I know time is limited and you probably don't want to go too far off of the Borderlands area. I do think that part of this "divide & conquer" tactic continues to the interior with communities' responding to not wanting asylum seekers taking away their limited resources like in Chicago. We have also heard that giving work authorization to asylum seekers is displacing the unauthorized/undocumented workers & paying less for their labor. Everyone is struggling to survive especially in light of the increasing cost of living. Following the money is definitely needed --we need to empower the taxpayers, whether documented or not, whether voters or not, need to be explained how they are being used. All for now, Todd, it was great to meet you and interview you in Ajo, AZ. I'm a volunteer for the Tribuno del Pueblo national, bilingual publication. Saludos!
Loved listening to this discussion - thanks so much for all of your work.
I'd love to hear you talk about "solutions" to current the border situation which, as we know, are not related to border security or strategies but US Immigration Laws, policies and practices. I'm starting to sense some convergence of ideas in Washington about steps for improvements - so reporting on that could be of interest to your followers.
As you know seeking asylum (while standing on US soil) is the only way most people can enter the US legally. So finding additional ways (refugee status, humanitarian parole, and temporary work visas) for people to enter the US legally instead of needing to come to US soil to ask for asylum is an approach we should consider. By implementing this process from countries of origin or safe second countries, fewer people will need to come to the border. Numbers of asylum-seekers at the southern border (from these four countries) dropped significantly when we offered parole to some people from Haiti, Nicaragua, Haiti and Venezuela when they applied from their home country. While there are many reasons to criticize the process that is currently in place (only the rich can access this opportunity, many people don't have passports, many don't have sponsors in the US), this general approach could be expanded to allow more people to apply, be vetted, and safely enter the US legally - so they don't need to make the dangerous journey here, apply for asylum, and overtax the US immigration courts. I've heard this general idea coming from a CATO economist, an author, and when you think about it - it's the only logical solution to the over-use of the asylum system that we've create for ourselves.
I'm happy to talk with you about this more if you're interested.
Yes, that makes perfect sense. I think the folks at the Migration Policy Institute have been doing some meaningful work regarding solutions. You might find the podcast I did with one of their senior policy experts interesting https://www.theborderchronicle.com/p/reforming-asylum-for-the-21st-century
You asked for ideas and suggestions. My best idea is something you said on the podcast: follow the money. I've been harping on this for years. (I'm the kid of 2 journalists, not a reporter myself. ) How about some quantitative reporting about the boondoggle known as private "detention"?
They take our money, feed people rotten food, kill some of them with medical neglect - in other words, they're taking our tax dollars but not meeting their contractual obligations, to put it in the coldest terms. And most of the money goes into the pockets of the people who run the corporations and/or hold large amounts of stock. Even people who don't give a f--- about human rights usually care about money, especially their own taxes.
Great conversation. In the future will you talk about involvement with human trafficking and drug movement from around the world--cartels but also China? and other countries?
What is missing is a lot! This subject needs repeated treatment. One question that journalists seem allergic to is anything having to do with big business. To me, watching this since the 70s, investments by big business interests and big banks are what results in the massive exodus of former subsistence farmers towards the US. Then, those business interests appeal to bigotry to create a distracting Us vs Them conflict. It is a win-win when the benefits that accrue to big business are considered. The solution would seem to be to organize economies in countries south of the border so that people could stay in their home countries and do well. What is in the way?
Why do the banks prefer the status quo? Why the huge PR campaign to promote a focus on enforcement against immigration? I think the question “why?” Is too seldom asked.
I applaud your work to unpack the roots of the political debacle around immigration. The core of the debacle (in my opinion) is the use of hatred and fear to draw followers into a quagmire of support for authoritarianism, disquised as 'freedom' and 'liberty' ; that movement, the MAGA preys on the weak minds of those who seek a leader, whose values undercut the ability to think for oneself, or to use critical analysis, or to understand basic human values, that constructs the narrative of 'the other' who will cause harm, in spite of clear information and experience to the contrary. Fear mongering. Its the tactic and strategy of an authoritarian regime, that underminds our democracy and our humanity. But don't give up, you are not alone in the work to uncover, expose the lies that feed that agenda.
I enjoy listening to you guys work through the issues at the border. I find it astounding that our media's look at the elections can portray the increasingly militarized iron dome as a peripheral issue better left to the right wing bloggers while they pander to democratic politicians fears of invaders. When you pull on a loose string like the recent shutdown aversion and find $15B for CPB you realize it's all punitive, converging with preacher billionaires, as in migration is the problem that must be contained. The provisional holding cell story is so characteristic of today, a mini Gaza. Meanwhile everything else, wildfires, drought, extreme heat, agriculture, homelessness, energy demand, whatever is ok, handled by Biden's Inflation Reduction Act and ARPA. Not. As you note with water, climates and drought, it's getting worse. It's all broken, we need more than what the two parties are offering us, and the increasingly closed border is a symptomatic of the larger cascading crisis. Reminds me of a dystopian low budget sci-fi film of the border from fifteen years ago, Sleep Dealer.
I finally listened to these two wonderful podcasts. Both eye opening for me. Mr. Chishti’s interview was fascinating, clear-speaking and right on target. In addition to the two reasons for migration of economy and climate change, I certainly think the unstable, violent, corrupt countries in the world lead to more movement as well…don’t you?
I found the myth of cartels controlling all movement at the border very interesting. I get how young AZ kids and those economically challenged take up where others leave off. But I have heard through Samaritans that there are fighting cartels controlling the routes to the border, i.e. clashes in Sasabe fairly recently. Cartels may hire individuals and/or gang members throughout Central America and Mexico...or maybe they only control the Mexico-US border; what do you think?
Hi Susie, I'm glad you found the interviews interesting. The cartels do control movement on the Mexican side of the border, and when the US govt makes it harder to access legal routes of migration then the cartels can charge more and profit from it.
You two are brilliant and covering vital information. I think the podcast would be stronger with more solid information, backup data, and professional conversation. Sometimes you drifted into what sounded like suppositions with a little mumbling.
Thanks Elaine. It was meant to be a discussion backed with our articles, which have a lot more detail, links and data. But duly noted. Less mumbling next time!
Thank you. Loved this format. Critically important conversation. Would love to hear what a positive counter argument for migration could/should be. Discuss/interview some 3rd party candidates?
Thank you for the comment. Duly noted!
Buenas tardes! Definitely enjoyed this podcast. I know time is limited and you probably don't want to go too far off of the Borderlands area. I do think that part of this "divide & conquer" tactic continues to the interior with communities' responding to not wanting asylum seekers taking away their limited resources like in Chicago. We have also heard that giving work authorization to asylum seekers is displacing the unauthorized/undocumented workers & paying less for their labor. Everyone is struggling to survive especially in light of the increasing cost of living. Following the money is definitely needed --we need to empower the taxpayers, whether documented or not, whether voters or not, need to be explained how they are being used. All for now, Todd, it was great to meet you and interview you in Ajo, AZ. I'm a volunteer for the Tribuno del Pueblo national, bilingual publication. Saludos!
Thank you Gloria for your comments.
Loved listening to this discussion - thanks so much for all of your work.
I'd love to hear you talk about "solutions" to current the border situation which, as we know, are not related to border security or strategies but US Immigration Laws, policies and practices. I'm starting to sense some convergence of ideas in Washington about steps for improvements - so reporting on that could be of interest to your followers.
Thanks for the comment. Curious about the convergence of ideas in Washington you're referring to and would love to know more. Thanks.
As you know seeking asylum (while standing on US soil) is the only way most people can enter the US legally. So finding additional ways (refugee status, humanitarian parole, and temporary work visas) for people to enter the US legally instead of needing to come to US soil to ask for asylum is an approach we should consider. By implementing this process from countries of origin or safe second countries, fewer people will need to come to the border. Numbers of asylum-seekers at the southern border (from these four countries) dropped significantly when we offered parole to some people from Haiti, Nicaragua, Haiti and Venezuela when they applied from their home country. While there are many reasons to criticize the process that is currently in place (only the rich can access this opportunity, many people don't have passports, many don't have sponsors in the US), this general approach could be expanded to allow more people to apply, be vetted, and safely enter the US legally - so they don't need to make the dangerous journey here, apply for asylum, and overtax the US immigration courts. I've heard this general idea coming from a CATO economist, an author, and when you think about it - it's the only logical solution to the over-use of the asylum system that we've create for ourselves.
I'm happy to talk with you about this more if you're interested.
Yes, that makes perfect sense. I think the folks at the Migration Policy Institute have been doing some meaningful work regarding solutions. You might find the podcast I did with one of their senior policy experts interesting https://www.theborderchronicle.com/p/reforming-asylum-for-the-21st-century
Fantastic discussion!
You asked for ideas and suggestions. My best idea is something you said on the podcast: follow the money. I've been harping on this for years. (I'm the kid of 2 journalists, not a reporter myself. ) How about some quantitative reporting about the boondoggle known as private "detention"?
They take our money, feed people rotten food, kill some of them with medical neglect - in other words, they're taking our tax dollars but not meeting their contractual obligations, to put it in the coldest terms. And most of the money goes into the pockets of the people who run the corporations and/or hold large amounts of stock. Even people who don't give a f--- about human rights usually care about money, especially their own taxes.
Thanks for this. Private detention is a massive and dehumanizing boondoggle. A good idea for follow up.
Thank you for your bravery and ethics and humanity. It is so wonderful to me to see young people who care so much about getting the truth out.
Thank you for the kind words!
Great conversation. In the future will you talk about involvement with human trafficking and drug movement from around the world--cartels but also China? and other countries?
Thanks Susie. Regarding these questions, here are a couple of podcast episodes from The Border Chronicle that you might find informative https://www.theborderchronicle.com/p/reforming-asylum-for-the-21st-century https://www.theborderchronicle.com/p/challenging-smuggling-myths-on-the
👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻
What is missing is a lot! This subject needs repeated treatment. One question that journalists seem allergic to is anything having to do with big business. To me, watching this since the 70s, investments by big business interests and big banks are what results in the massive exodus of former subsistence farmers towards the US. Then, those business interests appeal to bigotry to create a distracting Us vs Them conflict. It is a win-win when the benefits that accrue to big business are considered. The solution would seem to be to organize economies in countries south of the border so that people could stay in their home countries and do well. What is in the way?
Why do the banks prefer the status quo? Why the huge PR campaign to promote a focus on enforcement against immigration? I think the question “why?” Is too seldom asked.
Very good point and good questions. Thanks Stuart.
Thank you for this discussion Todd and Melissa, and all your work
Thank you Krista! And igualmente :-)
I applaud your work to unpack the roots of the political debacle around immigration. The core of the debacle (in my opinion) is the use of hatred and fear to draw followers into a quagmire of support for authoritarianism, disquised as 'freedom' and 'liberty' ; that movement, the MAGA preys on the weak minds of those who seek a leader, whose values undercut the ability to think for oneself, or to use critical analysis, or to understand basic human values, that constructs the narrative of 'the other' who will cause harm, in spite of clear information and experience to the contrary. Fear mongering. Its the tactic and strategy of an authoritarian regime, that underminds our democracy and our humanity. But don't give up, you are not alone in the work to uncover, expose the lies that feed that agenda.
Thank you Maree, and couldn't agree more with your words.
I enjoy listening to you guys work through the issues at the border. I find it astounding that our media's look at the elections can portray the increasingly militarized iron dome as a peripheral issue better left to the right wing bloggers while they pander to democratic politicians fears of invaders. When you pull on a loose string like the recent shutdown aversion and find $15B for CPB you realize it's all punitive, converging with preacher billionaires, as in migration is the problem that must be contained. The provisional holding cell story is so characteristic of today, a mini Gaza. Meanwhile everything else, wildfires, drought, extreme heat, agriculture, homelessness, energy demand, whatever is ok, handled by Biden's Inflation Reduction Act and ARPA. Not. As you note with water, climates and drought, it's getting worse. It's all broken, we need more than what the two parties are offering us, and the increasingly closed border is a symptomatic of the larger cascading crisis. Reminds me of a dystopian low budget sci-fi film of the border from fifteen years ago, Sleep Dealer.
Sleep Dealer is one of my all-time favorites and it does hold up...every year I feel like we're getting closer to that reality, unfortunately.
Melissa and Todd,
I finally listened to these two wonderful podcasts. Both eye opening for me. Mr. Chishti’s interview was fascinating, clear-speaking and right on target. In addition to the two reasons for migration of economy and climate change, I certainly think the unstable, violent, corrupt countries in the world lead to more movement as well…don’t you?
I found the myth of cartels controlling all movement at the border very interesting. I get how young AZ kids and those economically challenged take up where others leave off. But I have heard through Samaritans that there are fighting cartels controlling the routes to the border, i.e. clashes in Sasabe fairly recently. Cartels may hire individuals and/or gang members throughout Central America and Mexico...or maybe they only control the Mexico-US border; what do you think?
Susie Sanders
Susie Sanders
Hi Susie, I'm glad you found the interviews interesting. The cartels do control movement on the Mexican side of the border, and when the US govt makes it harder to access legal routes of migration then the cartels can charge more and profit from it.
You two are brilliant and covering vital information. I think the podcast would be stronger with more solid information, backup data, and professional conversation. Sometimes you drifted into what sounded like suppositions with a little mumbling.
Thanks Elaine. It was meant to be a discussion backed with our articles, which have a lot more detail, links and data. But duly noted. Less mumbling next time!
Why is the US allowing so many folks from around the world looking for work to be released into the US? Under what law can they do this?