Response Paper

Immigration Uneven Roads Chapter 12

Question • How has the Trump administration changed the conversation about immigration?

Immigration Status • Legal Permanent Residents – legal US residence or “green cards” – can apply for citizenship after 5 years – 1 million • Guest Workers – can stay in the U.S. until the end of the contract or visa period – 3.7 million • Unauthorized immigrants – 11.3 million in 2015

Development of Immigration Law • National Origin quotas – restricted number of migrants to the US – freeze the nation’s ethnic composition • Some involved racial exclusion from Asia and later Southern and Eastern Europeans • 1965 Immigration and Nationality Act - three paths to eligibility for green card • Family in the US • Job skills or professional training needed in US • Refugee who cannot safely return to one’s country of citizenship

Immigration Enforcement • Immigration Reform and Control Act - 1986 • Mandated employers verify work eligibility of all employees • More recently – workplace raids and databases

• 1990s began border patrol & construction of wall between Mexico and US • 1996 – some permanent residents not eligible for need based programs – food stamps and Medicaid • Left it up to states

Incorporation • What are the steps toward naturalizing immigrants? Incorporation polices? • Most do not naturalize

• 14th Amendment – provided citizenship for slaves and birthright citizenship • Formal process: speak, read and write English; basic knowledge of US civics and history

• No Federal incorporation policies – how can we make it easier for those living here to become citizens? • English classes? Job training? Licensing standards? • Is the Cuban experience a model here?

Comprehensive Immigration Reform

• Bills have been introduced but haven’t passed both chambers – how do we incorporate people? • US is population short – encouraged immigration

• Employers have encouraged both high and low skilled immigrant workers • Possible issues

• More visas to skilled workers? • Most low skilled workers come through family preference migration • 80% are Latin American, Caribbean or Asian • More visas for guest workers? • How does race play a role? • Lower waiting period for college degree holding immigrants

Attitudes toward Immigration

Trump Administration • Halted new refugee migrations; cut annual flow of refugees • Halted immigration from seven Muslim-majority countries • Expanded those under priority for deportation (beyond those that have committed crimes) • Called for ICE expansion