Comprehensive immigration reform has been elusive for decades, despite its clear need. With about 11 million undocumented immigrants in our country, most of whom have lived and worked here for more than a decade, according to the Pew Research Center, it is untenable for Congress to continue doing nothing. We encourage President Joe Biden to pursue immigration reform and for Congress to accept it.
President Biden has proposed a comprehensive immigration reform plan that includes offering temporary legal status to undocumented immigrants who meet certain requirements, an eight-year path to citizenship for those who meet other requirements, expanding legal immigration opportunities and investing in border security.
This is a good starting point for a solution to the problems that come with having more than 10 million people in the country out of books, improving the current slow and overly restrictive legal immigration system and reducing illegal border crossings.
The reality is that the vast majority of the country’s 11 million undocumented immigrants are not going anywhere. They live here, usually with American citizen children, work here and are firmly established in communities across the country. According to the California Institute of Public Policy, nearly one in 10 California workers has no documents.
Keeping this population underground is not good for anyone. As President Ronald Reagan acknowledged, “Illegal immigrants in considerable numbers have become productive members of our society and are a fundamental part of our workforce. Those who have established shares in the United States must be recognized and given legal status. At the same time, in doing so, we must not encourage illegal immigration. “
That’s right.
Likewise, it is true that one of the best ways to limit illegal immigration is to expand opportunities for legal immigration.
There are many opportunities for Congress and President Biden to draft legislation to make something comprehensive work.
We have no illusion that this will be easy, or that Biden’s complete proposal will be approved. Senator Marco Rubio, R-Florida, and Senator Lindsey Graham, R-South Carolina, who previously supported reform efforts, have already stated that there is no start for them.
Graham suggests that a permanent solution for recipients of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals could be more viable in the recently divided Senate. We strongly encourage Congress to approve a permanent DACA correction as well. Rather than continuing executive shuttle action on DACA, a legislative solution is and has always been the proper way to help young people who have been brought illegally to the United States.
But at some point, the largest undocumented immigration population, the legal immigration system and border security will also have to be addressed. They will not magically resolve themselves.
This successful long-term approach will involve something similar to the Biden proposal, with some adjustments and changes to be sure. It remains to be seen whether Congress will resolve this sooner or later.