America needs a humane immigration policy

Our readers have their say on the US president-elect and the appointment of a new judge at the International Court of Justice

Mexican migrants keep warm by a fire while waiting to be apprehended by US Customs and Border Patrol officers in Ruby, Arizona. AFP

I write in reference to Adla Massoud's article New York closes migrant shelters as Trump prepares to take office (January 16): all eyes will be on how US president-elect Donald Trump deals with the issue of immigration. Mr Trump has threatened to send millions back to their countries. There could be legal hurdles and it may not be a seamless process.

This prompts an important question: why do people from many parts of Asia and Africa seek to migrate to the US and Europe? For the most part, happy and financially secure people don't leave their countries. One reason is that many don't have adequate employment opportunities. Western countries, many of which need the talent, not only offer jobs but also social security, unemployment benefits and free or subsidised health care.

The long-term solution for the West to counter illegal immigration would be to help countries from where they originate in their economic development. In the short term, Mr Trump and other national leaders need to deal with the issue humanely as well as in ways that benefit their own economies.

Rajendra Aneja, Mumbai, India

Challenges for Trump

I write in reference to Jihan Abdalla's article Biden warns of American 'oligarchy' as he makes farewell address from White House (January 15): Biden's reflections on his accomplishments in office are worth noting, particularly on the domestic front. He made some huge mistakes in the foreign policy domain, but so have many American presidents before him.

But just as one analyses the past four years, it is important to focus on the next four. There are high expectations in the country for Mr Trump, particularly in taming inflation and improving job opportunities. Additionally, there are growing calls for reform on gun ownership, reflecting ongoing debates around public safety. Whether Mr Trump can tackle this and other social and cultural issues remains to be seen.

K Ragavan, Bengaluru, India

Furore over Salam's ICJ replacement

I write in reference to Tim Stickings's piece Pro-Israel judge set to replace Lebanon’s Nawaf Salam at helm of ICJ (January 14): Mr Salam may well have known that Julia Sebutinde would take his place. Why would he step down at such an important time? There must have been other options for prime minister as well, besides him.

Faris Malsaid, Beirut, Lebanon

This is completely unacceptable. The ICJ should have replaced him with someone not so evidently biased. There is no way she is the person for such a role.

Cath Khoury, Paris, France

One can only hope that it doesn’t matter that the next judge is biased, given that there is such abundant evidence against Israel. But it seems the world has in the past ignored a number of ICJ opinions on issues such as war and genocide.

Laura May, Sousse, Tunisia