United States Immigration Policy

United States Immigration Policy

America has long been a country made up of immigrants, but it’s also a nation made up of laws. Over the decades, U.S. immigration policy has evolved significantly, shaping the demographic and economic landscape of the nation. Historically, the Immigration Act of 1924 established national-origin quotas, significantly restricting immigration by assigning a limit of 2 percent of each nationality based on the 1890 census. These quotas favored Northern and Western Europeans and severely limited immigration from other regions. Such policies reflected racial and ethnic biases prevalent at the time, resulting in a narrow demographic influx and a racially stratified society.

By 1965, efforts to reform such restrictive policies culminated in the Immigration and Naturalization Act, introduced under President Lyndon B. Johnson. This legislation abolished the discriminatory national-origin quotas, replacing them with a system emphasizing family reunification and skilled immigration. Consequently, immigration from Asia and Latin America increased substantially, diversifying the demographic composition of the United States. This shift aligned with broader civil rights movements, fostering a more inclusive approach to immigration (Amadeo, 2019).

Despite these reforms, immigration policy has remained a highly politicized issue, especially in recent years, as debates focus on border security, illegal immigration, and national sovereignty. The contemporary discourse has been energized by the policies of recent administrations, notably that of President Donald Trump, whose tenure marked a stark shift towards stricter enforcement and a merit-based system. Trump's agenda aimed to prioritize merit and skills over family reunification, proposing substantial reforms, including ending chain migration and the Diversity Visa Lottery (Corrales, 2018).

One significant policy initiative under Trump was the "zero-tolerance" approach, introduced publicly in 2018, which criminalized illegal border crossings. This policy led to widespread family separations at the U.S.-Mexico border, causing significant humanitarian concerns. Children were often detained separately from their parents, sparking international condemnation and rights violations accusations. The policy was justified by the administration as necessary to uphold the rule of law and protect American sovereignty, but critics argued it was inhumane and traumatic for the families involved (ACLU, 2018; Corrales, 2018).

In response to the backlash, President Trump issued an executive order in June 2018 to keep families together, but ongoing legal loopholes and court rulings complicated its implementation. The San Diego court order, for example, prohibited family separations unless necessary for safety reasons, yet discrepancies persisted, and reports indicated that some families continued to be separated. The trauma inflicted on children and families has been widely documented, with the American Psychological Association and the American Academy of Pediatrics condemning such practices due to their long-term psychological effects (National Council on Family Relations, 2018).

Efforts to reform immigration procedures extended beyond family separation policies. President Trump’s immigration stance also focused on constructing a physical barrier along the southern border—a centerpiece of his security approach—funded by fees at ports of entry. The administration sought to modernize the asylum process to curb fraud and human smuggling, emphasizing expedited case processing for legitimate asylum seekers. These measures aimed to reduce the influx of undocumented immigrants and enhance border security, aligning with broader national interests (Corrales, 2018).

A key aspect of Trump’s reform was shifting from family-based and lottery visas to a merit-based system prioritizing skills and economic contributions. Under this system, the proportion of immigrants selected based on merit increased from 12 percent to 57 percent, aiming to benefit the U.S. economy by attracting highly skilled workers. Data indicates that most immigrants, especially those entering through legal channels, tend to be better educated than the native-born population, challenging narratives that immigrants threaten American jobs. Moreover, most legal immigrants do not immediately access welfare programs, and illegal immigrants’ access is limited to emergency services (Pew Research Center, 2018).

Historically, bipartisan policies have recognized the need for legal pathways for immigration. The Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986, often called the Simpson-Mazzoli Act, legalized many undocumented immigrants who had arrived before 1982, provided they paid fines and taxes, reflecting an acknowledgment of the need for regularization and integration (Congress.gov, 1986). President Reagan’s speeches emphasized the United States' openness to immigrants becoming Americans, contrasting with current restrictive policies. Reagan argued that the U.S. should be a land where anyone can come and earn a chance to citizenship, a principle that underpinned earlier reform efforts (Reagan, 1989).

However, the enforcement of immigration laws has often been controversial, especially concerning detention practices and family separations. Critics argue that detention centers have sometimes operated under inhumane conditions, leading to psychological trauma among detainees, particularly children. Media reports and human rights organizations have documented overcrowding, poor conditions, and family separations, which have been widely condemned as violations of human rights. The long-term effects include emotional trauma, damaged parent-child relationships, and social and developmental issues for separated children (National Council on Family Relations, 2018).

Another legislative dimension influencing immigration policy is the California Values Act or SB 54, enacted in late 2017, which restricts local law enforcement from cooperating with federal immigration enforcement. While intended to protect immigrant communities and promote trust in local policing, this policy has created tensions with federal authorities, complicating enforcement efforts and potentially affecting public safety (Bloomberg, 2019). Such conflicts exemplify the challenges in balancing community trust, law enforcement, and immigration control.

In conclusion, U.S. immigration policy has continually reflected the nation’s values, economic needs, and political climate. While earlier policies aimed to foster a diverse demographic through liberalized laws, recent administrations focused more on border security and merit-based immigration. Key issues such as family separation, detention conditions, and the role of local law enforcement continue to evoke debate. Moving forward, reforms should prioritize humane treatment, clear legal pathways, and international cooperation to address the root causes of migration. Addressing global development, stability, and economic inequality in migrants’ countries of origin can reduce the push factors pushing people to seek refuge or better opportunities in the United States, leading to a more sustainable and ethical immigration system.

References

• Amadeo, K. (2019). Immigration’s Effect on the Economy and You. The Balance.
• Corrales, M. (2018). Immigration then and now. GWRI Publications.
• Congress.gov. (1986). Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986.
• Reagan, R. (1989). Speech on immigration policies. The Reagan Library.
• American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU). (2018). Family Separation by the Numbers.
• Bloomberg. (2019). Are California’s police departments defying its sanctuary law?
• National Council on Family Relations. (2018). The long-term effects of family separation.
• Pew Research Center. (2018). Education levels of immigrants.
• United States Government Accountability Office. (2006). Border crossing deaths report.
• Vox.com. (2019). The consequences of family separation policies.