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Should immigrants be welcomed in Argentina?

Driven by the need to control its vast territory, Argentina launched a massive immigration

programme in 1880 which attracted hundreds of thousands of European citizens. However, the

current rise in the number of foreign migrants in the midst of a severe economic crisis has aroused

a heated debate. While some are of the opinion immigrants should be welcomed, others think

there should be restrictions to the number of foreigners that enter the country.

A convincing argument in favour of fully open borders is the moral obligation that Argentina may

have to receive those who are escaping from famine, poverty, war or natural disasters. For

example, thousands of Paraguayan bricklayers and maids have come to Argentina because of

economic considerations. Most of them have left their families and hometowns to find proper

 jobs. The same happens with those Africans that hawk jewellery throughout Gran Buenos Aires

and along the main coastal cities in Buenos Aires.

On the other hand, many support the view that there should be an immigration reform with

tougher border controls. This is said to be a hot issue that has been postponed for a very long time

and needs to be urgently dealt with. Some of the cited reasons are the following: First, it is

believed that the dollars that foreign migrants have sent to their families in their hometowns have

contributed to the current economic crisis Argentina is undergoing. It has been suggested that the

huge amount of money that has not been spent in the local market has weakened the local

economy.

Second, it is also claimed that the increasing number of immigrants negatively affect employment

rates since foreigners take jobs from native-born Argentineans. Pressed for money, many illegal

border crossers accept (to) work for/agree on lower wages and in poor conditions. For example, it

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is widely known there exist dozens of workshops in Floresta and Flores where illegal immigrants

produce clothes for different famous brands.

Finally it is often held that thousands of people from neighbouring nations travel to Argentina to

make use of the benefits the local state provides and leave the country without making any kind of

contributions. Two of the most best-known affected areas are education and health. The number

of young people who come from Brazil or Peru to study in run-state universities increases every

year. The same happens with foreigners from Chile or Paraguay who benefit from the Argentinean

health service since they cannot pay for it in their own countries.

All in all, to reach a final conclusion to this hot social issue is quite difficult since the arguments

presented by both sides of this heated debate are all valid. In view of this difficult situation, it is

necessary to continue considering this serious matter.