Viewpoint: At Last, a Rational Approach to Immigration Matters
In the past, unacknowledged spouses and their children were forced to depart the US, only to apply for residency later. This process severs ties from a home, job, community, and entire family system.
However, the recent initiatives aim to provide protection to these individuals and their children, who are stepchildren of American citizens. By every definition, this scheme is supportive of families and children. This policy doesn't boost immigration, as it solely benefits people who reside in the country and have been present for numerous years - around 500,000 grown-ups and approximately 50,000 children. All of whom lived in a perpetual state of uncertainty.
It's essential and compassionate: Imagine the turmoil of knowing your long-term spouse or the parent of your child could be taken away at any moment, even accompanied by your stepchild.
Unsurprisingly, many "pro-family" Republicans are criticizing this action, despite their earlier sabotage of a restrictive and bipartisan immigration bill that provided numerous concessions for them.
The Biden administration finds itself in a tricky position, particularly during an election year. President Joe Biden has tightened immigration measures significantly, including issuing an executive order that substantially limited the ability of migrants at the southern border to claim asylum.
Thousands of people have been detained every day while crossing from Mexico into the US; in December of last year, Border Patrol made a record 249,000 arrests. US cities, dealing with housing shortages, homelessness crises, and infrastructure challenges, have struggled to handle a surge of people requiring food, housing, and assistance.
Donald Trump has made immigration a key campaign issue. With Republicans blocking Biden's past attempts to restrict immigration, the president faces limited options when it comes to bipartisan negotiations. Leading a party with varying opinions on immigration, with some Democrats advocating for stricter controls and others strongly opposing efforts to limit asylum or turn away desperate individuals, adds to his challenges.
Polls indicate that voters, including the majority of Democrats, support Biden's stricter border policies. Nevertheless, the administration has to walk a tightrope, especially after presenting itself as a kinder alternative to Trump, who infamously attempted to bar immigrants from several majority-Muslim countries, separated migrant children from their families, and imposed other strict immigration regulations.
The latest action, which maintains families together while avoiding addressing border policies, is an important step forward. It is preposterous that people married to American citizens or their children should leave their homes, families, and jobs if they wish to obtain legal status in the United States.
For years, politicians and activists on both sides of the political spectrum have highlighted the importance of stable families for children and communities; the value of a two-parent household has long been a Republican talking point.
An immigration policy that compels individuals to choose between legal status and an intact family is a policy that helps no one. It's challenging to see how Biden's latest move would encourage immigration given that it doesn't apply to new arrivals, but it's straightforward to understand how the absence of this change keeps families in an unnecessary state of uncertainty and anxiety.
The Republican criticisms of the bill are hollow. "They are increasing incentives for people to enter the country illegally,” Republican Whip John Thune said. “I am sure they’ll be challenged." The conservative group America First Legal has indeed stated they will challenge the new measures.
Other Republicans, like Sen. Thom Tillis, argue that the administration should have pushed for a bipartisan bill instead. However, the Republicans already supported a bipartisan immigration bill, and they sunk it for purely political reasons.
Calls for bipartisanship and common-sense legislation seem almost nostalgic in our hyper-polarized era. But the fact is that Americans desperately need elected officials who will work in their best interests, not just to secure more seats in Congress or their preferred presidential candidate in the White House.
There are genuine, substantial policy disagreements over immigration. However, when leaders propose solutions that meet almost every criteria for good policy, politicians should give credit where credit is due. Or, if that's too difficult, at least remain silent and focus on crafting their own policies and projects.
Many Republicans claim to advocate for mass deportations. However, the reality will inevitably become more complicated when the people being deported are cherished and long-standing members of their communities, married to American spouses, and potentially raising American children.
Biden's plan to pave a smoother pathway for those entitled to permanent residency to secure it without disrupting their families is about as conventional and sage as it gets. Both Republicans and Democrats should support it.
