Changes in Immigration Policy Essay

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U.S. immigration: Foreign policy

A statement of current policy

The United States policy on immigration has become an issue of considerable controversy in recent years. On one hand, due to fears about terrorism, the Department of Homeland Security and other government agencies have become increasingly vigilant in their attitudes towards illegal immigration, given the real and perceived risks to U.S. security. On the other hand, there has been mounting pressure to acknowledge the contribution that immigrants have made to the U.S., both in the form of low-wage, undocumented workers and also the need for liberalized immigration policies to fulfill high-skilled professions.

Reasons for initiation changes

Political pressure is mounting in particular from the Latino community to ensure that individuals who have made a contribution to American society (including paying taxes in many instances) are not deported. Latinos are a growing political force in the U.S. However, the shakiness of the recovery of the U.S. economy has made many Americans mistrustful of expanding immigration policies. Also, security concerns remain regarding porous borders have given rise to a call for more stringent oversight.

Two policy options to be considered

The Obama Administration has attempted to navigate a dual course: on one hand, becoming more welcoming to 'deserving' immigrants (including the children of undocumented workers who have lived their entire lives in the U.S.) while attempting to control the flood of undocumented workers over the nation's borders.
For example, changes have been proposed to current immigration policy in the form of the Dream Act, which offers an expedited path to citizenship for children of undocumented workers brought to the U.S. However, the Obama Administration is also currently facing pushback regarding its proposal "that could eventually allow as many as 5 million undocumented immigrants to receive work authorization.[footnoteRef:1] A federal judge put the program on hold to "considers a case brought by 26 states over the constitutionality of the policies."[footnoteRef:2] But another district judge blocked "the Obama administration from detaining individuals seeking asylum at the U.S.-Mexico border, saying the policy illegally aims to deter others from immigrating to the U.S."[footnoteRef:3]

Pros and cons of each option [1: Foley, E. "Obama Administration to seek stay on immigration ruling," The Huffington Post, Last modified 20 Feb 2015, http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/02/20/obama-immigration-executive-action_n_6722440.html] [2: Ibid.] [3: Reilly, M. "Judge blocks Obama Administration from detaining asylum-seekers as immigration deterrent." The Huffington Post, Last modified 20 Feb 2015, http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/02/20/immigration-detention-injunction_n_6724662.html]

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