No, we should keep our borders
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Open borders will endanger citizens' safety
There are many criminals and terrorists in other countries who would move to richer countries if they could. Abolishing borders would threaten countries' national security.
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Context
Though many people migrate to a new country for better economic opportunities or to escape violence and war, we cannot ignore migrants who are criminals and terrorists seeking to take advantage of wealthier societies or disrupt the countries they migrate to.
The Argument
Advocates for open borders cannot ignore security threats posed by criminal immigrants. In 2018, undocumented immigrants made up 26% of the federal prison population in the United States.[1] In Sweden, migrants tend to commit more criminal activity, but it is because these migrants are young and male. At the same time, 73% of migrants to Europe are young males, according to Pew Research Center in 2016.[2] Open borders would make it easier for young, male immigrants to enter countries, cause crime, and endanger citizens already living there.
Terrorists take advantage of refugees and asylum seekers into European countries. In November 2015, terrorists linked to ISIS killed 130 and injured 368 people across Paris. These terrorists were able to hide themselves along migrant routes between Syria and Europe.[3] Open borders would only make such migrant routes easier to cross, thus making terrorist attacks more frequent.
Counter arguments
Border controls do not necessarily and cannot prevent all national security threats.
A vetting process for immigrants, such as a background check, can still exist with open borders.[4] Maintaining a vetting process while lessening immigration restrictions can still help countries prevent national security threats.
Proponents
Framing
People will take advantage of resources in richer countries if they can, even if it means infringing on those countries' national sovereignty.
Premises
[P1] Some immigrants are terrorists and criminals who will take advantage of asylum seekers and citizens in the target country.
[P2] Opening borders will encourage freer movement between countries, including freer movement of terrorists and criminals.
[P3] Criminal immigrants and terrorists will endanger a country's citizens.
Rejecting the premises
References
- https://www.cis.org/sites/default/files/2018-06/Alien_Incarceration_Report_2018_Q1.pdf
- https://www.quillette.com/2017/08/27/argument-open-borders-liberal-hubris/
- https://www.heritage.org/terrorism/report/the-asylum-terror-nexus-how-europe-should-respond
- https://www.vox.com/the-big-idea/2017/4/10/15226110/vetting-refugees-terrorism-security-borders