When Donald Trump called for enhanced border security in\n2015\u2014including immigration restrictions and a construction of a border\nbarrier\u2014many countries worldwide responded with immediate outrage and\ncriticism. But as the Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak continues to expand and\nworsen, many of these same countries have reversed course and have implemented\nimmigration restrictions themselves. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The moves by these countries are ironic, to say the least, and\nreveal how a global pandemic has finally brought them to recognize the\nimportance of sovereignty and borders. Below are a few examples of immigration\npolicy controls that have gone into effect around the world in the past\nweeks: <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Mexico:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
While Mexican officials improved their interior immigration enforcement and border security along the Mexican-Guatemalan border this year, officials are reportedly ramping up the country\u2019s border security one step further. Reports indicate that Mexico is considering shutting down its northern border with the United States to prevent Americans from entering the country. Mexico\u2019s health minister called the U.S. a \u201cdanger<\/a>\u201d to Mexicans, adding that \u201cfor both countries, it doesn’t benefit us to have completely open borders.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n Canada: <\/p>\n\n\n\n Canadian authorities placed\u00a0new border restrictions<\/a>\u00a0on all non-citizens or non-permanent residents from entering its country. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau fully backed the move, stating that \u201cit is time to take every precaution to keep people safe.\u201d The action is a far contrast from the Prime Minister\u2019s\u00a02017<\/a>\u00a0comments where he said, \u201cto those fleeing persecution, terror & war, Canadians will welcome you, regardless of your faith. Diversity is our strength.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n European Union: <\/p>\n\n\n\n The EU is proposing a non-essential travel ban to the\nregion for 30 days<\/a>. The move comes despite the union having a reputation<\/a> for lax immigration policies and free travel\namong member countries. Many of its member countries, especially Italy<\/a>, have fallen to Coronavirus and have realized that\nhaving control over who enters their countries is a matter of vital national\nsecurity, including public health. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Guatemala;<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Guatemalan government\u00a0recently placed<\/a>\u00a0travel restrictions on the United States and Canada, banning all arrivals from the two countries. This move is in addition to the country\u2019s widespread ban of citizens from European countries, China, Iran, South Korea and North Korea. When the United States\u2019 border security negatively affects Guatemalans, there is\u00a0significant<\/a>\u00a0outrage and opposition. However, there is little to no opposition towards Guatemala\u2019s government when it introduces policies to enhance its border security.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n This is a small sample size of the dozens of countries adding\ntravel and immigration restrictions worldwide. While these changes may only be\ntemporary and result from a disease outbreak, it reveals that countries value\ntheir sovereignty and understand that border security is essential to\nprotecting many public interests, including health. Citizens should ultimately\nbe the priority of elected leaders and without enforced laws, order, and\neffective immigration screening, a country can spiral out-of-control\nquickly. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" When Donald Trump called for enhanced border security in 2015\u2014including immigration restrictions and a construction of a border barrier\u2014many countries worldwide responded with immediate outrage and criticism. But as the Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak continues to expand and worsen, many of these same countries have reversed course and have implemented immigration restrictions themselves. The moves by<\/p>\n