Calling out the environmentalists! Why illegal immigration is also a major environmental problem
Illegal immigrants are turning parts of the desert southwest into a toxic dump including needles and human waste.
Great attention is paid to the fiscal and social impact of illegal immigration on the United States. However, little attention is paid to the ecological disaster caused by the waves of people entering the country between acceptable ports of entry.
Massive quantities of pollution including discarded clothing, plastics, and even discarded hypodermic needles, and human waste, are filling the deserts of the American southwest.
Illegal immigrants are leaving trails of trash along their routes, which creates health and environmental hazards.
An unknown number of people cross through the deserts of the border states, often through private property, or national parks where enforcement and security are easiest to evade. Unfortunately, this means people are passing through some of the most inhospitable territory in the United States. And as they go, they deposit trash, such as clothing, plastics, and human waste, including diapers. This waste is harmful to the environment, and some of it washes into local rivers.
The quantity of trash is substantial, with photos showing the ground almost covered with discarded items. Clothing, plastic bags and bottles, and backpacks are among the most common items seen. It is unclear how long it takes so much trash to accumulate, whether the photos depict years of accumulation, or perhaps days.
Trash deposited in rivers will be swept up in the next monsoon rain, which usually occurs in late summer.
National parks and the otherwise pristine desert environment is protected by law, which ought to be enforced.
Much of this trash will be washed into the sea. For those concerned about straws entering the ocean (a minor, yet legitimate concern) this issue should also be considered.
Illegal immigrants are turning parts of the desert southwest into a toxic dump including needles and human waste.
Great attention is paid to the fiscal and social impact of illegal immigration on the United States. However, little attention is paid to the ecological disaster caused by the waves of people entering the country between acceptable ports of entry.
Massive quantities of pollution including discarded clothing, plastics, and even discarded hypodermic needles, and human waste, are filling the deserts of the American southwest.
Illegal immigrants are leaving trails of trash along their routes, which creates health and environmental hazards.
An unknown number of people cross through the deserts of the border states, often through private property, or national parks where enforcement and security are easiest to evade. Unfortunately, this means people are passing through some of the most inhospitable territory in the United States. And as they go, they deposit trash, such as clothing, plastics, and human waste, including diapers. This waste is harmful to the environment, and some of it washes into local rivers.
The quantity of trash is substantial, with photos showing the ground almost covered with discarded items. Clothing, plastic bags and bottles, and backpacks are among the most common items seen. It is unclear how long it takes so much trash to accumulate, whether the photos depict years of accumulation, or perhaps days.
Trash deposited in rivers will be swept up in the next monsoon rain, which usually occurs in late summer.
National parks and the otherwise pristine desert environment is protected by law, which ought to be enforced.
Much of this trash will be washed into the sea. For those concerned about straws entering the ocean (a minor, yet legitimate concern) this issue should also be considered.
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