With a caravan of about 7,000 Central American migrants streaming north toward the United States, the issue of immigration has been in the news recently. The issue has been embroiled in controversy as the U.S. government has been taking preventative measures to prevent the migrants, which are currently traveling through Mexico, from entering the country. The Epoch Times asked a selection of people in Manhattan whether the people should be let in. Here’s what they said:
The Epoch Times: Should the migrants be allowed into the United States?
Charisma: We’ve got our own crisis going on with housing, where are they going to go? If we can’t find anywhere to go, they’re definitely not going to find anywhere to go.
The Epoch Times: Should they go through the proper legal channels?
Charisma: I don’t think they should come in illegally. We’re overcrowded here, so if they can fix the problem over there, then fix the problem.
Alex in New York City on October 19, 2018. (Stuart Liess/The Epoch Times)
Alex
The Epoch Times: Should the migrants be allowed into the United States?
Alex: I know Honduras is not the greatest place to be in right now, so I understand why people from Honduras would want to come here. Immigration is cracking down in the U.S. so how do you decide to choose to let people from Honduras versus people from other countries; that’s when it becomes a very difficult question. I honestly don’t think we can take everybody, but it’s hard to be able to decide when it’s a person, who should be able to come in and who shouldn’t. It becomes very difficult.
Camille in New York City on Oct. 19, 2018. (Stuart Liess/The Epoch Times)Camille
The Epoch Times: Should the migrants be allowed into the United States?
Camille: Politically speaking, I would appreciate if the country does its best to protect its own people, but also if it helps the situation, then maybe a halfway point could be met somewhere.
The Epoch Times: Should they go through the proper legal channels?
Camille: Of course, the proper channels. There also must be a little bit of compassion involved here, especially considering what the situation is, but also we must secure our borders.
Evan Doherty in New York City on Oct. 19, 2018. (Stuart Liess/The Epoch Times)Evan Doherty
The Epoch Times: Should the migrants be allowed into the United States?
Mr. Doherty: I just moved back from Nicaragua, I know a lot of it is in turmoil right now. It depends on what their intentions are. If they’re escaping being killed, then it’s great to help people. I guess it depends on what they’ve come to the United States to do.
Sierra in New York City on Oct. 19, 2018. (Stuart Liess/The Epoch Times)Sierra
The Epoch Times: Should the migrants be allowed into the United States?
Sierra: If the conditions are that bad, that they have to come here, then yes. If there’s no reason for them to be here, then I feel that maybe they are just looking for something different.
The Epoch Times: Should they go through the proper legal channels?
Carlos Figeuria and Amanda Cruz
The Epoch Times: Should the migrants be allowed into the United States?
Mr. Figeuria: I feel they should be allowed in.
Ms. Cruz: I feel like there is a reason they’re fleeing. We’re so helpful and we’re always trying to help people. We might as well, because they’re most likely running from a corrupt government of some sort.
The Epoch Times: Do you think they should go through the proper legal channels?
Ms. Cruz: We want to help, but to a certain extent, we shouldn’t get taken advantage of, either.
Korcan in New York City on Oct. 19, 2018 (Stuart Liess/The Epoch Times)
Korcan
The Epoch Times: Should the migrants be allowed into the United States?
Korcan: It’s a very sensitive issue. I myself am an immigrant, but I came here legally. I guess if they can get in, they should. I feel that the United States has always been open about accepting others, and I feel like they should have an opportunity.
Ivan in New York City on Oct. 19, 2018. (Stuart Liess/The Epoch Times)
Ivan
The Epoch Times: Should the migrants be allowed into the United States?
Ivan: The best way is to help these people. They need help. We just can’t really force people to go back to misery. I’m from Colombia. I came here about 56 years ago, but the thing is there’s no way to make a living, the situations in those countries are very different than here. This country is big, there are plenty of places to work to make a living.
Trey Wilson
The Epoch Times: Should the migrants be allowed into the United States?
Mr. Wilson: Everyone should be allowed to go anywhere as they please. There should be no restrictions.
Nicole in New York City on Oct. 19, 2018. (Stuart Liess/The Epoch Times)
Nicole, volunteer for New Sanctuary Coalition
Epoch Times: Should the migrants be allowed into the United States?
Nicole: YES, in capital letters. They’re fleeing a difficult situation, and they’re fleeing violence. We are a very wealthy country, and I think we should open our doors to them. That’s what the United States is made of: immigrants and refugees.
Epoch Times: Should they go through the proper legal channels?
Nicole: I think for them, fleeing violence, they should open the doors and let them come in.
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