Slash vs. Trash is a False Dichotomy

In light of the failed policies that have created such chaos along the border, it is prudent to revisit the argument of environmental damage by immigrants vs. that of enforcement activities. Many fence supporters beat the drum that immigrants are trashing the desert and it is silly for environmentalists to oppose enforcement activities when there is already such severe and ongoing damage being done. It is true that there is a tremendous amount of trash dropped along migrant trails. I have seen it (and picked it up) myself. But if you examine what is dropped, you will better understand the dynamic at work. It is common to see perfectly good backpacks, clothing, personal items, etc. among the trash piles. At first glance it is curious why someone would drop such items. It becomes clear when you learn that immigrant smugglers and Border Patrol agents alike force migrants to drop everything they are carrying when they are crammed into the backs of trucks and vans to be transported to their next destination. Does the Border Patrol clean these items up? How about the coyotes? No, of course they do not. The ubiquitous water jugs and cans of food scattered along migrant trails are greatly exacerbated by this dynamic, to the point that heavily trafficked pick-up points begin to resemble wildcat dumps. But it is essential to remember that none of this would be occurring if it were not for federal policies that have failed to effectively deal with undocumented workers and created the dynamics that lead to trash piles in the desert.