Illegal Immigration in Bay Area Essay

Immigration is a hot topic in the Bay Area. Bay Area is among the leading metropolitan regions in the United States with undocumented immigrants. For years, the area has witnessed an increase in the number of foreign citizens. According to the surveys from the Census Bureau, the region is a sanctuary for immigrants (Diaz 35). The current US administration has taken a strong stand against illegal immigration with the President vowing to deport undocumented immigrants. There has been an increase in raids conducted by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents (De Graauw 50). Despite the case, the number of immigrants has continued to increase yearly. The impact of wars, family reunifications, poverty, and search for better livelihood are the leading causes of illegal immigration in the region.

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War has caused many communities to move to Bay Area in search of safety. Since the mid-19th century to date, the region has been home to diverse populations. The area has served as a sanctuary to war refugees for decades. Since 2011, the country of Syria has become inhabitable due to endless wars. Several families have lost their loved ones and properties. Thus, millions of Syrian citizens have fled the country in fear of their lives (Martin 5). They escape in search of a haven and a fresh start. Victims of war often lack access to basic facilities. War causes people to lose their houses, jobs, and assets. Thus, when they flee, they need a place to settle, live in peace, and rebuild their lives. The civil war in Syria has resulted in the death of hundreds of thousands of citizens. Equally, others have become internally displaced persons due to rampant insecurity (Martin 10). The lucky ones have fled the country under very cruel and inhumane circumstances. War refugees have journeyed long distances in search of safety. The Bay Area and the broader state of California have been instrumental in accepting and resettling the victims of war. The region's communities and leaders have shown the will and ability to cater to the needs of the victims. On the contrary, some states in the United States have adamantly refused to take in any Syrian refugees. As a result, the Bay Area has continued to experience increased numbers of war immigrants due to its friendly environment.

Family reunification is another primary factor that has contributed to immigration in the Bay Area. Reunification entails uniting family members who got separated during the emigration process. Families get separated for various reasons, such as stringent border rules and harsh travel conditions (Glick 499). For instance, when foreign citizens try to gain access to another country without proper documentation, some may get caught by the immigration officials. Detained family members are left behind in hopes of joining the others later in future. Unfavorable environmental conditions may also hinder families from emigrating together. Children and women may face tougher challenges having to travel long distances on foot, without water and food. Members who successfully migrate are expected to make arrangements for reunification with families left behind (Glick 514). The undocumented immigrants continuously strategize on ways to reunite with their families. They can only endure the pain and trauma of separation from their loved ones for so long. Eventually, the desire to join with their families overwhelms them. Tactics used by immigrants in the Bay Area to advocate for family reunification include marches and mothers organizing hunger strikes. In the few occasions when families have managed to come together, the media has been instrumental in showing how grateful the families are. The family plays an integral role in shaping individuals' lives after undergoing traumatic experiences (Clark et al. 852). Unifying a family can help members resume a normal life due to the support and understanding the unit offers. Due to the paramount importance of family, immigrants in the Bay Area continue to devise ways to reunite their families.

Poverty has also contributed to immigration in the region. Immigrants usually gravitate towards areas that have established immigrant communities. These regions, such as the Bay Area, are often able and willing to offer jobs to underprivileged immigrants (De Graauw 309). For the average immigrant, job opportunities and income options are limited. Most jobs in the United States require applicants to provide legal proof of eligibility to work in the US. The requirement means that one has to submit legal documents such as a social security number or a birth certificate. The undocumented residents do not have access to these documents. Thus, they do not apply for jobs that draw attention to their background. Instead, they opt for low-income or labor jobs in places that lack stringent laws on employee documentation. The Bay Area offers a relatively fair environment that allows immigrants a chance to overcome poverty.

Many communities have moved to the area with the desire to lead comfortable lives and have access to basic needs. Access to essentials has been a significant challenge for many immigrants. The fear of scrutiny and deportation hinders skilled workers from accessing jobs that match their skill levels. Recruitment agencies that offer better-paying jobs are not an option for illegal residents. The Bay Area communities grant the foreigners jobs in places such as construction sites, kitchens, gardens, and warehouses. The foreigners carry out tasks such as housekeeping and nanny duties. These opportunities enable them to take up multiple, low-paying jobs to earn a living. Poor foreigners find a haven in the region as its leaders continue to show support for undocumented workers (Marrow 72). Despite threats of reduced federal funding, leaders from the area have pledged support and protection of illegal immigrants against Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials.

Conclusion

In conclusion, immigrants in the Bay Area relocated to the region for different reasons. The leading causes of the move are wars, the reunification of families, poverty, and the search for better livelihood. The area is home to thousands of immigrants who lack proper documentation. It is a haven for people who have fled their countries in search of a better residence and life. For the war refugees, they escape to the region hoping to lead a peaceful life away from all the bloodshed brought about by civil wars. They hope to rebuild their lives and homes in a secure environment. The desire to reunify families has resulted in increased immigration to the region. Families separated when members were emigrating strive to join one another and live together. Poverty has also influenced the movement of undocumented foreigners to the Bay Area in search of sources of income to improve their lives. All these factors have contributed to the high number of immigrants in the region.

Works Cited

Clark, Rebecca L., Jennifer E. Glick, and Regina M. Bures. "Immigrant Families over the Life Course: Research Directions and Needs." Journal of Family Issues, vol. 30, no. 6, 2009, pp. 852-872.

De Graauw, Els. "Municipal ID Cards for Undocumented Immigrants: Local Bureaucratic Membership in a Federal System." Politics & Society, vol. 42, no. 3, 2014, pp. 309-330.

Diaz, Jesse. "Immigration Policy, Criminalization, and the Growth of the Immigration Industrial Complex: Restriction, Expulsion, and Eradication of the Undocumented in the US." Western Criminology Review, vol. 12, no. 2, 2011, pp.35-54.

Glick, Jennifer E. "Connecting Complex Processes: A Decade of Research on Immigrant Families." Journal of Marriage and Family, vol. 72, no. 3, 2010, pp. 498-515.

Marrow, Helen B. "The Power of Local Autonomy: Expanding Health Care to Unauthorized Immigrants in San Francisco." Ethnic and Racial Studies, vol. 35, no. 1, 2012, pp. 72-87.

Martin, Susan F. "The Global Refugee Crisis." Georgetown Journal of International Affairs, vol. 17, no. 1, 2016, pp. 5-11.