The Need for Comprehensive Immigration Reform in the United States

The United States has been a country of immigrants since its inception. From the early settlers to the influx of individuals seeking economic opportunity during the late 19th and early 20th centuries, immigration has played a crucial role in shaping the nation’s history and economy. However, the current immigration system in the United States is broken and in desperate need of reform.

The Current Immigration System in the United States

Currently, the United States has more than 11 million undocumented immigrants living within its borders. This group of individuals faces a significant amount of legal and economic barriers preventing them from fully integrating into American society. Undocumented immigrants are often unable to obtain legal employment or healthcare, and they live in constant fear of deportation. Furthermore, the current system separates families, as thousands of children of undocumented immigrants are born in the United States each year and are therefore American citizens, yet their parents lack legal status.

The Economic Benefits of Immigration Reform

Comprehensive immigration reform would have far-reaching economic benefits for the United States. Undocumented immigrants are an important part of the American workforce and contribute to a wide range of industries, including agriculture, hospitality, and construction. By providing a path to citizenship for undocumented immigrants, the United States would benefit from increased tax revenue and economic growth. According to a report by the Center for American Progress, legalizing undocumented immigrants would result in a $1.4 trillion boost to the US economy over a decade, a significant contribution to the country’s Gross Domestic Product.

Border Security

A critical aspect of comprehensive immigration reform is the development of a secure and controlled border. Republicans tend to focus heavily on this aspect and until the border is secured, the US Congress will be slow to act of reform. In addition, the United States needs to adopt measures to ensure that individuals who attempt to cross the border illegally are quickly and safely apprehended, with the appropriate use of force as necessary.

The Role of Family Reunification in Immigration Reform

Family reunification is a crucial element of comprehensive immigration reform. Currently, the process of reuniting families is lengthy and bureaucratic, often taking many years for families to be reunited. A streamlined system, which prioritizes the reunification of families, would greatly benefit millions of immigrants living in the United States.

Protection of Dreamers

The Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) policy was introduced under the Obama administration and has been under threat since the transition to the Trump administration in 2016. The DACA policy provides undocumented persons, who arrived in the United States as children and meet certain eligibility criteria, with temporary protection from deportation and offers the flexibility to apply for work permits. As a result of the introduction of the policy, there was a significant increase of enrolment in employment, education, and military service. A bill to establish a path to citizenship for the individuals covered by DACA has been introduced recently but is meeting some hurdles on the legislative process.

Conclusion

Comprehensive immigration reform is the need of the hour for the United States. By granting a legal status to millions of undocumented individuals, the country can significantly increase its economic growth and foster a more inclusive society. It is time for Congress to take meaningful action to establish secure borders, streamline the process of family reunification, and provide protection to Dreamers.

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