El Estado chileno y su permisividad con la migración irregular | Columna de opinión del alcalde Javier García

So, I stumbled upon this really interesting article written by the mayor of my hometown, Javier García, about the Chilean government’s leniency towards irregular migration. Basically, he argues that we need to tighten our borders and crack down on undocumented immigrants because they put a strain on our economy and public services.

According to García, Chile has become a “magnet” for immigrants from Peru, Bolivia, and Venezuela, who come here seeking better opportunities and living conditions. While he recognizes that some immigrants do contribute to our society and culture, he claims that the majority of them are a burden that we can’t afford to bear. He cites statistics about rising crime rates, unemployment, and pressure on healthcare and education systems as evidence that irregular migration must be stopped.

Now, I know from personal experience that immigration can be a touchy subject. My mom moved to Chile when she was younger, and it wasn’t always easy for her to adapt to a new culture and language. But at the same time, she was able to build a career and a life here that she may not have had otherwise. So I can understand why some people might feel threatened by newcomers, but I don’t think it’s fair to assume that all immigrants are a drain on society.

Overall, I think we need to have a more nuanced discussion about migration and its impacts. It’s not as simple as just shutting the door on everyone who tries to enter the country without proper documentation. We need to find ways to balance our economic and social needs with our ethical and moral responsibilities as a nation. Otherwise, we risk falling prey to fear-mongering and prejudice that only serve to divide us further.