Immigration has existed for centuries, driven by various factors such as economic hardship, political instability, and conflict. While migrating is a fundamental human right, it must be done legally to ensure order and security. Most people leave their countries in search of better opportunities, fleeing from poverty, oppression, or violence. Economic struggles remain the primary reason why many choose to take dangerous routes to Western countries, risking their lives in search of a brighter future.
Instead of solely focusing on border security, Western governments should address the root causes of illegal immigration. This requires working closely with the governments of migrant-sending countries, pressuring them to create better economic opportunities and uphold human rights. Western nations should also use diplomatic influence and economic leverage to ensure these governments take responsibility for their people, rather than allowing corruption and mismanagement to push citizens into desperate migration attempts.
Ethiopia is a prime example of a country where poor governance has driven countless young people to flee. The Ethiopian government heavily taxes its citizens while failing to create job opportunities for the youth. Political oppression further fuels the crisis, leaving people with no choice but to seek better lives elsewhere, often risking perilous journeys across the Mediterranean or through South and Central America to reach Europe or the U.S. These migrants are not simply looking for handouts; they are escaping a system that has failed them.
The West, along with the United Nations, has a moral and political responsibility to hold oppressive leaders accountable. Dictators who abuse their power and force their citizens into desperate situations should face consequences. Western governments must take stronger actions, including supporting democratic movements, imposing direct pressure on oppressive regimes, and, in extreme cases, advocating for regime change when necessary. Simply ignoring the plight of these people only fuels more instability and migration.
Sanctions are often used as a tool to punish oppressive governments, but in many cases, they hurt ordinary citizens more than the leaders themselves. Ethiopia, for example, faces U.S. sanctions, yet Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed has maintained strong ties with the Biden administration and was even invited to the White House. This approach is flawed. Instead of broad economic sanctions that harm innocent people, the West should target dictators and corrupt officials directly—banning them from international travel, freezing their assets, and cutting their influence abroad.
America and its Western allies must rethink their strategies when dealing with authoritarian leaders. Holding dictators accountable should be a priority, but it should be done in a way that empowers the people rather than worsening their suffering. This means supporting opposition movements, aiding civil society groups, and using diplomatic pressure to bring real change. Ethiopia and other nations under oppressive rule need more than just statements of concern—they need real action that forces their governments to either reform or be replaced.
Illegal immigration will not stop unless the root causes are addressed. Western countries must take a more proactive role in pressuring corrupt governments to improve conditions for their citizens. They should implement targeted sanctions that punish dictators, not ordinary people, and work toward creating global policies that empower oppressed populations. If real change is to be achieved, the West must move beyond rhetoric and take decisive action against oppressive regimes like that of Abiy Ahmed. Only then can the cycle of illegal migration be broken, offering people the hope and opportunities they seek in their own homelands.
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