How immigration policy has changed and its impact on society

1) Summarize the entire paper in one paragraph

The article looks to outline a position on immigration and its importance to the United States. The articles indicate why trends in immigration will not abate within the new future and are more akin to a “natural migration.” As a result, the articles look to weight the benefits of a more accommodative immigration policy with the negative attributes that can occur in American society. These negative attributes are further segments against the backdrop of the moral duty of America. American citizens typically have a morally rigorous feeling about following the rules and the laws. If immigrants are deemed illegal, then they are typically viewed in negative terms. The contentious nature of immigration is very polarizing as there is not “correct” answer that appeases all parties involved. The overall complexity of the issue makes it very burdensome as it relates to its impact on labor, wages, employment, taxes, society costs, and even education.

2) Paragraph summarizing the three administrations

The immigration policy of the Obama administration, compared to the Trump regime was much more welcoming and positive towards immigrants. Here the administration cited many of the more positive statistics related to immigrants. Many do work that Americans are not willing to do. In addition, they use wages to buy goods and services to stimulate the economy. In addition, a vast majority are law abiding people in the sense that they do not commit crimes that detract from society at larges such as theft, vandalism, and violence. However, when compared to Biden it appears that Obama was much more aggressive. Here Obama occupies a middle ground between Trump and Biden. Unlike Trump, President Obama, was very vocal in advocating for the expansion of DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals) and DAPA (Deferred Action for Parental Accountability). Although Trump did advocate for these policies, his stance often switched depending on his audience. These actions offered amnesty for children who were brought to the country by their parents while minors and lack the technical qualifications for citizenship. This was seen as a net positive as these children often grew up to be very productive, tax paying members of society. This allowed protections for victims who had no control over their parent’s behaviors while also streamlining immigration polices decisions related to children. However, on the negative side, Obama restriction the ability for ICE to enforce their duties on the border. Through legislation, the Obama administration limited the ability and flexibility of ICE agents to make decision related to illegal immigrants that were detained.

All three administrations had very unique and often conflicting strategies when approaching the immigration conundrum. The most aggressive policy was by far that of Donald Trump and his administration. The Trump Administration argued that it was necessary to have a zero-tolerance approach because there was no other way to discourage illegal immigration.  Advocates of immigrants, on the other hand, have argued that most illegal immigrants should be given asylum because they are fleeing other countries where there are many problems for people who want to live in safety or find shelter from gang violence. Here the Trump administration was very aggressive in discouraging illegal immigration. This discourage come both in the administrations rhetoric and its policies. From the wording standpoint, Trump was on record in numerous circumstances discouraging many of the immigrants from Mexico. He famously called many of these immigrates rapists and drug dealers in numerous speeches. In response, a large swath of Americans agreed with his policies related to immigration, in large part due to fear from Trumps very contentious rhetoric. This resulting is large amount of controversy related to inhumane conditions for those seeking asylum, the construction of a physical border wall throughout the southern border, and a significant increase in ICE agents. Trump also made changes to the legal system to make it quicker to deport illegal immigrants.

In contrasts, president Joe Biden’s immigration policy is currently based on reversing the majority of the immigration policies of the Trump’s administration. Joe Biden’s first day in the office involved a reversal of most of the former administration’s policies under former president Trump. Here, Biden has made many of the immigration policies much more flexible as it relates to how it handles immigration policies. For one, the administration limited the ability to deport illegal immigrants with the major exceptions being national security concerns. He has also enacted legislations related to DACA to help increase the likelihood of talented immigrants being retained in the country.

3) What are the policy implications of these policies?

There are numerous implications as a result of these policies, namely that they will change heavily depending on the party in power. The overall variability in immigration policy every four years makes it very difficult for immigrants to actually seek citizenship. Changing rules, regulations, and procedures require very well-intentioned immigrants to acquiesce to a number of different policies. This can be very confusing and ultimately delay the citizenship of many desirable candidates.

Even more important is the rhetoric surrounding immigration during the Trump administration. Much of the rhetoric, unequivocally was racist and not based on factual information. As a result, the public at large was misled, further alienating and ostracizing immigrants. For one, many immigrants are looking to flee persecution for a change at a better life. In contrast to Trump, many are not murderers, rapist, and drug dealers. Instead, many are hardworking individuals simply looking for a better way of life. The negative rhetoric by the Trump administration not only went against the ideals of America, but it also caused the public at large to fear immigrants in a manner not seen in decades. Many immigrants were persecuted, left in inhume conditions, and even had children separated from their parents with no ability to locate them. These policy decisions, although they help abate the rise of illegal immigration, did not subscribe to the ideals and beliefs of the American system at large.

The Biden administration appears to be doing damage control as it relates to the disastrous policies of the Trump administration by reversing nearly all of the previous polices set in place. This is somewhat confusing to immigrants as they are surely not aware of all the policy changes and shifts. As a result, it appears that many immigrants are confused as to how to proceed as it relates to their application for citizenship within the United States. Likewise, those in charge of border security such as ICE and other immigration agencies must also adapt to rapidly changing policies.