U.S. foreign policy has been characterized by interventionist policies in Latin America that have contributed to economic instability, political instability, and violence, pushing many Latin Americans to migrate. One of the critical factors driving migration from Latin America is financial instability. The United States has a long history of economic intervention in Latin America, often to the detriment of the region’s economic stability. U.S. policies such as trade agreements and austerity measures have devastated the economies of many Latin American countries. The video “The Panama Deception,” focuses on the 1989 U.S. invasion of Panama and the subsequent cover-up of the civilian casualties that occurred during the invasion. The video argues that the invasion was driven by U.S. interests in maintaining control over the Panama Canal and securing access to the country’s strategic resources. As a result, many Latin Americans are forced to migrate to the United States for better economic opportunities.
Another major factor driving migration from Latin America is political instability. The United States has a long history of meddling in the political affairs of Latin American countries, often supporting authoritarian regimes that suppress dissent and violate human rights. For example,
the U.S. Army School of the Americas has played a significant role in helping repressive regimes in Latin America, including those that have committed mass killings and other atrocities. U.S. support for repressive governments has contributed to political instability in many Latin American countries, leading to civil unrest, violence, and mass migration.
Finally, U.S. immigration policies also significantly contribute to the immigration problem. U.S. immigration policies have long favored immigrants from certain countries over others and have been criticized for being overly restrictive and difficult to navigate. This has led many Latin Americans to resort to undocumented migration, which is dangerous and often leads to exploitation and abuse. Furthermore, U.S. policies such as deporting undocumented immigrants back to their home countries have contributed to the instability and insecurity many Latin Americans are escaping from.
In conclusion, U.S. foreign policy has played a significant role in creating the conditions that drive many Latin Americans to migrate to the United States. Economic instability, political instability, and violence are all factors that U.S. interventionist policies in the region have exacerbated. In order to solve the immigration problem, the United States must first address the root causes of migration, including the role that its foreign policy has had in creating those primary factors.