Introduction
One’s views on migrants in the United States vary greatly depending on the party they support. Political parties hold opposite opinions on this topic and try to push their agenda constantly. Due to this situation, changes in these laws are chaotic and ineffective. This causes numerous issues when making meaningful policy adjustments, as people oppose major shifts. At the same time, asylum seekers, migrant workers, and refugees who try to enter the United States are stuck at the border. These people are mistreated and used in political stunts, as no significant policy changes are made.
Due to the issues with immigration policies in the United States, additional analysis of this topic is required. Creating a feasible path forward is important for the country’s future. Possible solutions include community-based releases of detained immigrants, expansions of work visa programs, and increases in the openness of the immigration system. These are realistic and actionable paths for the government to follow that can positively affect the public’s attitudes toward immigration.
Problem Definition and Context
Immigration policies in the United States can be considered ineffective due to their inability to resolve key issues on its borders. Politicians are unable to create a strategy that everyone can accept. Republicans and Democrats are not open to discussions regarding immigration. Migrant workers, refugees, and asylum seekers are affected by this dispute the most due to their legal status. As long as no definite way for these individuals to enter the country exists, detention centers and border control remain overburdened.
Some problems stem from this one that affects a significant part of immigrants. People coming from the Southern border are often detained, separated from their families, and mistreated (MartĂnez, 2022). This situation continues due to politicians’ inability to develop an alternative that would satisfy all sides. In general, motivation to accept foreigners is lacking among a significant portion of the population (Massey, 2020). The rift between Republicans and Democrats can be blamed for the situation.
Historical-Political Context
Throughout the history of the United States, people’s views on immigration shaped the country’s admission rates. Foreigners have wanted to come to the United States throughout its history. However, since the Civil War, the nation became hostile to immigrants, as racist laws were enacted (Baxter & Nowrasteh, 2021). These new policies targeted people from particular origins, banning them from entry into the country or limiting their admissions greatly. The twentieth-century laws were created by people who avoided letting foreign cultures spread within the U.S. borders (MartĂnez, 2022). Since then, there has been no consensus on many immigration policies. Instead of being replaced, old laws receive updates that do not address the core issue.
The current context for this situation comes from decades of policy changes that conflicting political parties wanted to make. After World War II, anti-refugee sentiments among a portion of the population decreased, yet some people continued to think that migrants were harmful to U.S. society (Baxter & Nowrasteh, 2021). Despite the efforts to counteract these ideas, people remained hostile to immigration. After the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center, the public’s support grew even larger (Baxter & Nowrasteh, 2021). Since then, the acceptance gradually increased, yet insufficiently to guarantee any signs of unity between parties.
Relevant Actors
Republicans and Democrats have been unable to find a middle ground on the subject for over a century. The examples of the former and current Presidents show how politicians shape these policies. The core of the problem can be seen in the decisions made by President Trump and President Biden. Anti-immigration policies were strengthened under Donald Trump’s presidency. Admission rates decreased as legal pathways were hindered through slower answers to requests for asylums and work visas (Ibe, 2020).
Moreover, the COVID-19 pandemic even further lowered people’s chances of gaining entry into the United States. Deportations and countrywide bans were enacted to combat the healthcare crisis. Canceling the impact of these changes requires a significant effort, which makes them troublesome for a long time. Other actors also promote anti-immigration ideas through their actions. Ron DeSantis attempted to attract attention to the problem by flying migrants from the Southern border to Democrats’ residences (Sandoval et al., 2022). Despite the intention to raise awareness, this trick used people as pawns in political stunts.
There are attempts to shift immigration policies toward openness by the Biden Administration. The President recognizes that long waiting queues harm migrants and waste the country’s resources (The White House, 2021). He proposed many adjustments that defend asylum seekers and refugees, such as regional management programs.
However, the need for universal support for such changes remains. The Administration continues to release statements that blame Republicans for the problem and fail to consider their point of view (The White House, 2021). By addressing everyone’s concerns, it is possible to move forward. This approach does not help unite people and encourage collaboration and problem resolution.
Analysis of the Policy Options
The historical context reveals that immigration policies became too complex due to parties’ struggles for power. People must find common ground about immigration and cooperate instead of promoting hostilities. Therefore, several solutions can be proposed to start fixing the problem.
The first solution is to increase the limit of migrant workers admitted to the United States annually. Year-long queues harm people’s opportunities and the country’s economy. The benefits of this approach include a boost to the nation’s economy, high rates of acceptance for such policies, and better employment options for migrants (Anderson et al., 2021). However, the downside may appear through rapid adjustments in the labor market.
The increased transparency of the immigration system can also address the rift between parties. When the issues are apparent, it is easier to create solutions. It will be possible to reach a reasonable agreement regarding admission rates and lengths of detention if the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agencies reveal more information (Hudak & Stenglein, 2019). For example, parties can focus on people’s well-being and expenditures on border control without neglecting either side. The advantage of this strategy is the foundation it provides for policymakers and the public. Realistic solutions can stem from this approach and help people better understand the consequences of inaction. However, transparency can slow ICE operations until the new standards are fully implemented.
Another possible approach is to help neighboring countries whose populations are fleeing to the United States. For example, promoting business connections with such states can help them create local jobs (The White House, 2021). It is important to understand that refugees come to the United States due to economic and political crises in their countries.
Moreover, law enforcement agencies can cooperate with local authorities to prevent crimes from shared sources (The White House, 2021). This method benefits the nation indirectly, reducing the need for people to migrate. This approach’s pros include low public resistance and lower unauthorized crossings. However, it also harms the economy until the investments in foreign partnerships start to pay off.
Finally, new programs for release can decrease the length of stay in detention centers. Community centers for helping refugees can easily integrate them into society and assist with employment (American Immigration Council, 2022). This approach has the benefits of decreased costs of border control and better treatment of immigrants. However, it can also harm social services in areas where migrants are most common. Support for this policy update would be hard to achieve from the dominant parties in Southern regions.
Policy Recommendations
It is necessary to start changes in immigration policies slowly to avoid strong resistance. Therefore, the government can shift people’s views by increasing the number of work visas issued to migrants. Politicians can convince people that easier entry into the country benefits the economy by showing the importance of migrant workers. While other options have a bigger impact, it is vital to introduce such laws cautiously. As the initial step, this approach can create the foundation for future adjustments.
First, changing the definition of ‘skilled worker’ to become more inclusive can help numerous people gain entry into the United States. At the same time, these individuals can benefit the country by contributing to its economy. Second, migrant workers’ rights must be increased to reduce cases where expired visas lead to undocumented employment (Costa, 2020). Extending one’s stay in the United States must become easier.
This action is important because it promotes acceptance of migrants. It can help people realize that migrants contribute to society. Limiting their opportunities harms everyone, not just unauthorized workers. Caps on the availability of work visas cause long queues for entry (National Immigration Forum, 2022). Fixing this problem can reduce negative factors of immigration, such as illegal trafficking activities.
Moreover, this option improves the lives of migrant workers in the United States. By allowing people to achieve legal employment status, authorities can reduce negativity toward this portion of the population. The current limits for work visas create situations where migrants can lose their official permissions and have to fill worse job positions (Costa, 2020). The boost to the economy due to work visa expansions can increase the public acceptance of immigrants. Its outcomes can be measured via opinion polls and rates of employment of migrant workers in various industries.
However, with transparency in the system, these changes may be noticed. Therefore, lawmakers must increase the ICE agencies’ transparency and show how easier admission lowers queues and allows essential workers to come to the United States. The first step will require periodic statements and statistics released by the relevant authorities. The bureaucracy standards in such facilities must also be updated due to their inadequacy (Tellez et al., 2022).
New technologies for monitoring the situation can also help. Such a shift provides the population with information about the conditions of detention and release of migrants (Tellez et al., 2022). People will be able to see what needs to be done to assist those who come to the United States to seek safety and work opportunities. The results of this new approach can be traced to the number of violations prevented by the new monitoring of migrant facilities.
Conclusion
In conclusion, immigration policies require changes that both political parties will support. People need to be more united to come to a feasible, universally supported solution. Policy analysis reveals that issues stem from decades of conflicting interests of relevant actors and their supporters. Republicans and Democrats take opposite sides, adjusting laws to fit their visions every election. At the same time, these additions to the existing laws continue to complicate the lives of immigrants within the country and at its borders.
Many steps can be taken to improve the situation. However, starting with methods that increase public support for migration initiatives is vital. While the transparency of the assistance for countries in South America and new pathways to entry can help, they also are not as impactful or favorable by all sides. Therefore, changing the limit for work visas issued annually and increasing transparency is the most suitable path. Despite this proposed new policy, it remains crucial for lawmakers to continue working on this issue. The divide between political parties harms migrants who seek opportunities for a better life.
References
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