Biden's Immigration Policies: Strengths and Weaknesses

Introduction

President Joe Biden's immigration policy is centered on reversing the majority of immigration policies enacted under the Trump administration. Biden's first day in office involved the reversal of many former policies, and together with the Department of Homeland Security under Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas' leadership, his administration significantly reformed Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) deportation practices while prioritizing national security. Immigration has long been a significant source of cultural change and population growth in the United States, giving the country one of the largest immigrant populations in the world. The following sections examine the key policies under Biden's immigration agenda (Hiestand, 2021).

The Border Wall

This policy involved a proclamation terminating the national emergency declaration regarding the United States' southern border and redirecting the funds previously allocated for border wall construction. Shortly after Biden's inauguration, he halted construction of the Mexican border wall, stating that the funds would be reallocated to other priorities.

The main strength of this policy is that it serves as a remedy to the cultural and environmental destruction caused by the wall's construction, as borderlands — including sacred sites — had been cleared and disrupted during the building process. The main weakness is that, without the wall, critics argue the United States remains vulnerable to security threats. This concern stems from the possibility that an open border could be exploited by non-citizens whose primary interest is criminal activity, such as human trafficking and drug smuggling.

The two administrations hold notably different positions on this issue. Biden's view is that, while the United States must protect its citizens and secure its borders, the wall is not a serious or effective policy solution. Trump's administration, by contrast, argued primarily from an economic and national security perspective in favor of continued construction (Hiestand, 2021).

Travel Ban

This policy constitutes the ending of what Biden described as discriminatory bans on individuals entering the United States. It lifted certain travel restrictions on immigrant visas for nationals from countries including Tanzania, Syria, Eritrea, Iran, and Venezuela, among approximately nine others — countries whose populations are predominantly Muslim. The strength of this policy is that it allows the affected countries to resume processing visas for their nationals and ensures that pending waivers and visa applications are handled without discrimination, which could have positive impacts on the country's economic growth.

The main weakness is the potential fiscal impact on the United States Treasury, since immigrants admitted under the lifted ban would also gain access to certain public benefits, including the earned income tax credit, Medicaid, food assistance, and public education — costs that would need to be absorbed by the federal government. It is therefore recommended that, while the ban is lifted, the full economic impact be carefully evaluated to determine whether the benefits outweigh the costs. Strategies should also be established to discourage visa overstays in order to minimize the long-term fiscal burden.

Regarding the two administrations' perspectives, Biden considers the travel ban a stain on the national consciousness. This view stands in contrast to Trump's position, which appeared to treat the Muslim community broadly as a security threat, as reflected in statements he issued during his presidency (Hiestand, 2021).

Reference

Hiestand, E. Pinochet as a Fourth Critical Juncture. Beyond Politics 2021 Editorial Board, 90.