The Price of a Dream

An Analysis of the Exploitative Systems Facing Migrants Trying to Enter the United States

Resumen

the United States as a land of opportunity continues to drive migrants from around the world, but the journey to the U.S. has changed dramatically in recent years. This paper examines the new dangers in the current state of migration, focusing on how systems of exploitation have evolved and intensified, making the pursuit of a better life increasingly dangerous. While hope remains the driving force behind migration, many are now forced into illegal and dangerous routes due to broken legal pathways  by extreme visa backlogs and the shifting global landscape. Exploitive systems, ranging from corrupt governments and criminal cartels to traffickers using social media as a tool for manipulation are now the new migration reality. Additionally, the rise of the private immigration detention industry highlights the growing role of for-profit corporations that capitalize on the suffering of migrants.  The paper discusses these contemporary changes and the ethical implications of the systems in place, advocating for systemic reform and international cooperation. It concludes with a call for a shift in migration policy, urging a focus on humane treatment and global collaboration to combat exploitation and ensure the safety and dignity of migrants.