Mediated Communication #4

I was searching for an article for my 4th Mediated Communication post.  I read several articles but didn’t find anything that peeked my interest.  Then I came across an article on immigration on the Al Jazeera website; “For some migrants, a familiar journey from the desert to detention.”  Immigration is a very complicated topic.  On the one hand you have the law and those who are breaking it.  You have fears over what else is coming across the border; ie drugs, disease, violence, etc.  On the other hand you have people just trying to find a better life, children, compassion and humanity.  I think everyone agrees with one thing, something must be done, but that something is the debate.  I was surprised to learn that illegal immigration is at a 40-year low, partially due to a controversial zero-tolerance Border Patrol policy known as Operation Streamline.  This policy involved mass hearings and legal consequences from jail time to a criminal record that can prevent legal residency or entry for 10 years or more.  This policy has dropped recidivism rates to all time lows.  I found this article to be well researched and well written.  It contained many points of view along with statistics from many sources.  It is a fascinating look into the illegal immigration problem and measures that are being taken in response to this problem.