Are Libertarians for an open border or closed border?

Question

I am a bit confused by some of the answers I get from people who believe themselves to be libertarian. Is there a difinitive answer or is this still unresolved among libertarians?

Seem that I am getting the same conflicting answers. Perhaps if we define "closed" as only allowing legal immigrants with the correct paperwork and "open" as basicly no border restrictions that might help.

Answer 1

I don't read websites to generate my ideals, morals, and ethics.
I'm not libertarian because I believe in X, Y, and Z.

We're not brainwashed drones all thinking the same things, so sure there's going to be a variety of answers.

Personally, I think our borders should be open. All of us (except for native indians) come from immigrants. Our ancestors came here to make a better life for themselves; and they did just that.

We have no right to unilaterally exclude other people from coming to our country and making a better life.

America is a "melting pot" and also "the land of opportunity". What makes our country great is most anyone, with some drive and motivation, can come here and live the "American dream".

Setting up hardline borders and building walls is not what this country was founded on.


***On the Statue of Liberty there is an inscription that reads: “give us your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free.”***

It doesn't stipulate that we get to pick and choose which of the tired, poor, or huddled masses we let into the country. Now does it??

Answer 2

A real libertarian should not be for open borders. Yes we were all immigrants, but that is just the bs excuse that liberals use to win votes. They want immigrants to come in, have sex like jack rabbits, and in 18 years, their citizen children will most likely vote democrat. There is such a thing as overpopulation and limited resources. Not only that, but immigrants cost a lot of money for our government and while they do jobs that are menial, they don't contribute very much to our economy because a lot of their money is sent back to their home land.

Libertarians are concerned with protecting our borders as well as the integrity of the United States. We are not concerned about borders abroad so we are not fans of war; however, if homeland security picks up a threat, its not like we want to ignore it. Its all about limited government, free market capitalism, and limited control over the people.... pretty much the complete opposite of Obamas America.

Answer 3

Libertarians are mostly for a state of No government. As a Conservative I can understand this to a degree, as Government is mainly a societal goo that mires down the rights of the people. However, History proves that countries without the will to guard their borders do not exist for long. Rome was not destroyed by a greater enemy so much as by a lack of will to defend itself from floods of migrants who came to take of what Rome had.
Some Libertarians might not see the point of a secure border, but History never lies.

Strong border, NO AMNESTY. Contact your representatives and tell them No to the Kennedy bill.

Answer 4

If you're a *true* Libertarian:

IV.1 Immigration

The Issue: Our borders are currently neither open, closed, nor secure. This situation restricts the labor pool, encouraging employers to hire undocumented workers, while leaving those workers neither subject to nor protected by the law. A completely open border allows foreign criminals, carriers of communicable diseases, terrorists and other potential threats to enter the country unchecked. Pandering politicians guarantee access to public services for undocumented aliens, to the detriment of those who would enter to work productively, and increasing the burden on taxpayers.

The Principle: The legitimate function and obligation of government to protect the lives, rights and property of its citizens, requires awareness of and control over the entry into our country of foreign nationals who pose a threat to security, health or property. Political freedom and escape from tyranny demands that individuals not be unreasonably constrained by government in the crossing of political boundaries. Economic freedom demands the unrestricted movement of human as well as financial capital across national borders.

Solutions: Borders will be secure, with free entry to those who have demonstrated compliance with certain requirements. The terms and conditions of entry into the United States must be simple and clearly spelled out. Documenting the entry of individuals must be restricted to screening for criminal background and threats to public health and national security. It is the obligation of the prospective immigrant to demonstrate compliance with these requirements. Once effective immigration policies are in place, general amnesties will no longer be necessary.

Transitional Action: Ensure immigration requirements include only appropriate documentation, screening for criminal background and threats to public health and national security. Simplifying the immigration process and redeployment of surveillance technology to focus on the borders will encourage the use of regular and monitored entry points, thus preventing trespass and saving lives. End federal requirements that benefits and services be provided to those in the country illegally. Repeal all measures that punish employers for hiring undocumented workers. Repeal all immigration quotas.

Answer 5

Closed border.

Answer 6

both