Question

What are some problems you can identify with our current immigration policies and protocols that should be addressed in the form of new immigration policies in our globalized economy today? Please provide any suggestions for how to address them.

Answer 1

IMMIGRATION:

Immigration process through which individuals become permanent residents or citizens of another country. ... Historically, the process of immigration has been of great social, economic, and cultural benefit to states.

PROBLEMS OF IMMIGRATION:

In no particular order, here is a list of a few problems that comprehensive immigration reform should address (a few of which are mentioned in the immigration chapter of the Cato Handbook for Policymakers):

1. A far too restrictive system overall.
2. Static immigration quotas.
3. Quotas on nationalities—the law micromanages immigrant demographics.
4. Immigrants wait in line for decades.
5. Immigrant workers are counted against multiple quotas.
6. There’s a limit for immigrants with “extraordinary ability”.
7. Workers without college degrees only get 5,000 green cards.
8. The president can end the refugee program unilaterally.
9. No immigration category for entrepreneurs.
10. No way to create new immigration categories without congressional action.
11. Immigrants generally cannot apply for permanent residency on their own.
12. Spouses and minor children of new immigrants count against the quotas.
13. There’s a quota on new spouses and minor children of current permanent residents.
14. Children of temporary workers grow up here, wait in line with their parents for permanent residency, and get kicked out of line on their 21st birthday.
15. Immigrants can live here for decades without receiving permanent residency.
16. Illegal immigrants cannot leave and reapply to return legally.
17. Spouses and children of temporary workers are banned from working.
18. The law requires immigrants to pretend that they don’t want to immigrate.
19. Forcing employers to advertise positions that are already filled.
20. Temporary workers cannot easily change jobs.
21. No temporary visas at all for year-round workers without college degrees.
22. Noncitizens can access federal welfare programs after five years.
23. The president can ban any immigrants that he doesn’t like.
24. No opportunity to appeal visa denials.
25. The burden of proof is on immigrants and their sponsors, not the government.
26. America has closed borders with a few holes.

CHANGES IN IMMIGRATION POLICIES:

Liberians wishing to apply to become permanent residents under the Liberian Refugee Immigration Fairness Program have until December 20, 2020 to file their application. The deadline was set as part of the implementation of the Liberian Refugee Immigration Fairness Act passed in 2019, a measure that stated Liberian nationals who had been continuously physically present in the United States since Nov. 20, 2014, (along with their spouses and dependents) would be eligible for permanent residence.

Minnesota is home to the largest Liberian community in the U.S., and the agreement was widely celebrated when it was passed by the families and individuals who have been living under the uncertainty of Deferred Enforcement Departure (DED) and Temporary Protected Status (TPS). A report published this summer (July 2020), however, stated USCIS had not approved any applications filed under the program and only 12% of eligible individuals had submitted applications.