How and When are We Right to Prioritize the Interests of Residents and Citizens?. (March 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Camacho Beltrán, Enrique
• Is Part Of: World affairs. Volume 183:Number 1(2020)
• Page Start: 8
• Page End: 39
• Publication Date: 2020-03
• Subjects: Applied International Ethics -- Immigration Policy -- Border Controls -- Exclusionary Immigration Laws -- International Relations -- Liberal Political Theory Justice in Immigration -- The Right to Exclude -- Citizens' Rights -- Immigrant Rights -- Borders -- Democratic Legitimacy -- National Membership -- Citizenship -- Legitimacy -- Justice; Ética internacional aplicada -- Política migratoria -- Controles fronterizos -- Leyes migratorias excluyentes -- Justicia migratoria -- Derecho a excluir -- Derechos ciudadanos -- Derechos de Migrantes -- Teoría política normativa -- Fronteras -- Legitimidad democrática -- Membresía Nacional -- Ciudadanía -- Legitimidad -- Justicia; 应用国际伦理 -- 国际关系中的伦理 -- 移民政策 -- 边境管制 -- 排外移民法 -- 移民司法 -- 排外权 -- 边境 -- 民主合法性 -- 国民身份 -- 公民身份 -- 合法性; International relations -- Periodicals; Peace -- Periodicals; Arbitration (International law) -- Periodicals; United States -- Foreign relations -- Periodicals; Arbitration (International law); International relations; Peace; United states; Foreign relations; Internationale politiek; Periodicals; 327.05
• DOI: 10.1177/0043820020906798
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0043-8200

Abstract

This article assesses an assumption pervasive in one strain of arguments in favor of stringent immigration controls. The assumption affirms that—for the case of regular admissions—to a certain extent states are permitted to prioritize the interests of their citizens and residents by issuing exclusionary immigration policies (call this the priority assumption). Using the normative methodology of applied international ethics, I suggest some broad constraints to this priority assumption that have a bearing on justifications for current practical immigration policy in Europe, North America, and beyond. I do so by redefining borders as domestic-international institutions that open up borders not only to (internal) standards of justice but also to standards of international legitimacy.