U.S. In Need of an Immigration Makeover!

Images of immigrant issues and struggles in the United States are popular fodder for hit movies such as The Godfather and Gangs of New York. For a nation founded by immigrants, the United States has become a melting pot of international identities and also the center of major immigration issues.

According to a recent report published by the Council on Foreign Relations, “The continued failure to devise and implement a sound and sustainable immigration policy threatens to weaken America’s economy, to jeopardize its diplomacy, and to imperil its national security.”

Urging for a fundamental overhaul of the U.S. immigration system, I agree with many of the suggestions of the report.  But as a citizen, rather than a policy maker, I believe that the emphasis and main concerns of the report are misplaced.  We need to worry less about national reputation and border patrol and more about ensuring that those immigrants, whether legal or illegal, are provided the support necessary to realize the American Dream.

The report provided a variety of suggested areas of improvement, including:

• Devising a comprehensive immigration reform plan
• Attracting skilled immigrants
• Increased National security
• Employer enforcement of immigration laws & standards
• Simplifying, streamlining, and investing in the immigration system
• Improving America’s image abroad
• Better border enforcement
• State and local enforcement

The seven most popular states for immigrants to settle in are California, New York, Florida, Texas, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Illinois, according to statistics compiled by LegalMatch.  Many of the immigration issues presented by LegalMatch clients arise because an individual immigrant attempted to navigate their way through the complicated and paper-heavy legal system without an attorney and ran into problems.

Aside from potential language issues, many immigrants working on visas or their citizenship status are trying to understand a foreign legal system.  I barely understand the American system as it is and could not imagine attempting to work within one I have no background knowledge of!  All parties involved from the government, to employers, to the immigrants themselves need to strive to work within rather than around the legal system.

Opinions vary about the economic and other effects of immigration.  Whether pro or anti-immigration, one thing remains true- we are a nation founded by immigrants and we must embrace our multi-national heritage and provide the same services and opportunities to everyone that comes within our border.