Immigration Reform in the Public's Interest, Part 2: Purposes and Processes

It seems customary to begin any proposal for immigration reform with a framework that lays out the guiding principles for the proposed reform. The Senate bill began with such a statement that contained many laudable intentions. Regretfully, they were not well implemented in the actual bill.

For example, the principles stated that "We will ensure that this is a successful permanent reform to our immigration system that will not need to be repeated." (p.1) They didn't.

Under the Senate-passed version of S.744, "CBO estimates that the net inflow would be reduced by between one-third and one-half compared with the projected net inflow under current law." (p. 5) And further, that in 2023, 10 years after the bill would go into effect, "CBO estimates that (under the Senate-passed version o the bill) the number of unauthorized residents in 2023 would be lower by about 800,000 than estimated for S.744 as reported by the Judiciary Committee." (pp. 5-6)

The House, too, is in the process of developing its own immigration principles. I am sure that document will contain many statements with which ordinary Americans will find themselves in agreement. It is to be hoped that whatever legislation might eventually be passed by the House (if any) will, unlike the Senate bill, actually be consistent with those statements and written in a way that directly and unambiguously reflects them.

My own efforts at developing such guiding principles follow:

1. The purposes of immigration derived from national interest are:
   
   
   1. To renew and refresh American civic, economic, and cultural capital through the energy, talent, and ideas of those who wish live and work here and become members of the American national community;
      
      
   2. To set the numbers of such immigrants at a level that can be adequately accommodated given America's economic, political, and cultural resources and the public's repeatedly expressed wishes; and
      
      
   3. To continue the American tradition of welcome to new immigrants by ensuring that all who are granted lawful status to live and work in this country have support in their efforts to become integrated into the American national community while understanding that becoming part of that community is an expectation that accompanies having lawful status.
      
      
2. The process of reforming American immigration policy is derived from the national interest and includes:
   
   
   4. Ensuring an orderly, fair, and transparent process by which new immigrants may apply for legal status;
      
      
   5. Ensuring that all legal immigrants adhere to the legitimate criteria for entry;
      
      
   6. Ensuring that information given in applications for legal status be complete, honest, and documented. No waivers can be granted for attempted fraud or misrepresentation;
      
      
   7. Understanding that an invitation to become an immigrant with legal standing, with or without the possibility of citizenship, is extended at the discretion of the American national community through its official representatives — it is not a right; and
      
      
   8. Understanding that a decision to accept that invitation brings with it the responsibility to live and work in the United States in a lawful way and a commitment to be respectful of the country's culture and traditions, to learn about them, and to the extent possible, become an ongoing part of them.

Next: Immigration Reform in the Public's Interest, Part 3: Legislative Principles