Immigration Policy

Immigration policy addresses how a nation manages the flow of people across its borders, determines who can become citizens, and integrates newcomers into society. This issue encompasses elements of national sovereignty, economic impacts, humanitarian concerns, and cultural identity. Immigration policy touches on all three axes: Economic (labor markets, public services), Authority (border control, enforcement), and Social Values (multiculturalism, national identity).

Key Positions Overview

Progressive/Left Position

Those with progressive views on immigration typically support more open borders, expanded pathways to citizenship, protection for refugees and asylum seekers, and multiculturalism. They often emphasize the humanitarian aspects of immigration policy, the economic benefits of immigration, and the importance of diversity in creating a vibrant society.

Conservative/Right Position

Those with conservative views on immigration often advocate for stricter border control, merit-based immigration systems, limiting illegal immigration, and emphasizing assimilation to the host country's culture. They tend to prioritize national security, rule of law, protection of domestic workers, and preservation of cultural cohesion.

Progressive/Left-Leaning Perspective

Key Arguments

Progressive approaches to immigration emphasize humanitarian concerns, economic benefits, and the value of diversity while questioning the morality and practicality of strict enforcement measures.

  • Immigration as a human right: People fleeing violence, persecution, or extreme poverty should have the right to seek safety and opportunity in other countries. Immigration restrictions often cause unnecessary suffering and violate human dignity. [1] Carens, J. H. (2013). The Ethics of Immigration. Oxford University Press.
  • Economic benefits of immigration: Immigrants contribute substantially to economic growth by filling labor market gaps, starting businesses, paying taxes, and increasing consumer demand. Immigration generally benefits both immigrants and the receiving country's economy. [2] National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (2017). The Economic and Fiscal Consequences of Immigration.
  • Cultural enrichment and diversity: Immigration brings cultural diversity that strengthens society through new ideas, perspectives, and innovations. Multiculturalism creates more vibrant, creative, and adaptable communities. [3] Putnam, R. D. (2007). E Pluribus Unum: Diversity and Community in the Twenty-first Century. Scandinavian Political Studies.

Supporting Evidence

Economic Impact Research

Studies show that immigration has a positive net effect on economic growth. According to research by the National Academies of Sciences, immigrants and their children contribute more in taxes than they consume in benefits over time. The dynamic effects of immigration, including innovation and entrepreneurship, have particularly strong positive impacts on the economy.

[4] Peri, G. (2016). Immigrants, Productivity, and Labor Markets. Journal of Economic Perspectives, 30(4), 3-30.

Effects of Border Enforcement

Research indicates that harsh border enforcement policies have limited effectiveness in deterring migration and often lead to unintended negative consequences, including increased danger for migrants, family separation, and the growth of human smuggling networks. Many researchers argue that addressing root causes of migration in sending countries is more effective than border enforcement.

[5] Massey, D. S., Durand, J., & Pren, K. A. (2016). Why Border Enforcement Backfired. American Journal of Sociology, 121(5), 1557-1600.

Think Tank Perspective: Center for American Progress

The Center for American Progress advocates for comprehensive immigration reform that includes pathways to citizenship for undocumented immigrants, protections for DACA recipients, asylum system reform, and addressing root causes of migration. They argue that integrating immigrants into American society strengthens communities and the economy while upholding humanitarian values.

[6] Jawetz, T., & Svajlenka, N. P. (2021). Building a More Dynamic Economy: The Benefits of Immigration. Center for American Progress.

Conservative/Right-Leaning Perspective

Key Arguments

Conservative approaches to immigration emphasize national sovereignty, security, rule of law, and the importance of assimilation to maintain social cohesion and protect citizen interests.

  • National sovereignty and security: Nations have the right and responsibility to control their borders and determine who may enter. Effective border security protects citizens from potential threats, including criminal activity, terrorism, and public health risks. [7] Huntington, S. P. (2004). Who Are We? The Challenges to America's National Identity. Simon & Schuster.
  • Rule of law and selective immigration: Illegal immigration undermines the rule of law and fairness to legal immigrants who follow proper procedures. Merit-based immigration systems ensure that newcomers will contribute to the economy and integrate successfully. [8] Borjas, G. J. (2016). We Wanted Workers: Unraveling the Immigration Narrative. W.W. Norton & Company.
  • Protection of citizen workers and communities: Large-scale immigration, especially of low-skilled workers, can negatively impact wages and employment opportunities for native workers, particularly those with less education. Immigration can also strain public services, infrastructure, and housing in receiving communities. [9] Camarota, S. A. (2020). The Employment Situation of Immigrants and Natives. Center for Immigration Studies.

Supporting Evidence

Labor Market Impacts

Some economic research indicates that immigration can have negative effects on wages and employment for certain segments of the native workforce, particularly for workers without a high school education who compete directly with less-skilled immigrants. These effects may be localized in certain industries and regions but can be significant for affected workers.

[10] Borjas, G. J. (2003). The Labor Demand Curve is Downward Sloping: Reexamining the Impact of Immigration on the Labor Market. The Quarterly Journal of Economics, 118(4), 1335-1374.

Cultural and Social Cohesion

Research suggests that rapid demographic change through immigration can sometimes lead to reduced social trust and cohesion, particularly when newcomers do not assimilate to the host country's culture and values. Some studies indicate that cultural homogeneity correlates with higher social trust and welfare state support.

[11] Goodhart, D. (2013). The British Dream: Successes and Failures of Post-war Immigration. Atlantic Books.

Think Tank Perspective: Heritage Foundation

The Heritage Foundation advocates for an immigration system that prioritizes national security, economic interests, and assimilation. They support strong border enforcement, merit-based immigration, ending chain migration, and requiring proof of financial self-sufficiency for immigrants. They emphasize that immigration policy should primarily benefit American citizens and the national interest.

[12] Inserra, D. (2018). Immigration and Border Security Reform. Heritage Foundation.

Common Ground & Key Disagreements

Shared Values

Despite deep differences, there are some areas where progressive and conservative perspectives on immigration overlap:

  • Recognition that the current immigration system is flawed and needs reform
  • Support for some level of legal immigration and acknowledging its benefits
  • Concern for the humane treatment of migrants, regardless of status
  • Interest in addressing the root causes of migration in source countries

Core Disagreements

The fundamental disagreements on immigration stem from different priorities and values:

  • The relative importance of national sovereignty versus humanitarian obligations
  • Whether immigration should primarily serve national interests or humanitarian goals
  • The economic impacts of immigration on different segments of society
  • The importance of cultural assimilation versus multiculturalism

Multimedia & Further Resources

Video Perspectives

Progressive Perspective Video

This video from Vox examines the challenges facing the U.S. immigration system and presents arguments for more humane and efficient policies, touching on both humanitarian and economic aspects of immigration.

Conservative Perspective Video

This video from NumbersUSA presents arguments for more controlled immigration, focusing on numbers, sustainability, and impacts on American workers. It illustrates conservative concerns about mass immigration.

Further Reading

Progressive Perspective Resources

Conservative Perspective Resources

References

  1. [1] Carens, J. H. (2013). The Ethics of Immigration. Oxford University Press.
  2. [2] National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (2017). The Economic and Fiscal Consequences of Immigration. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press.
  3. [3] Putnam, R. D. (2007). E Pluribus Unum: Diversity and Community in the Twenty-first Century. Scandinavian Political Studies, 30(2), 137-174.
  4. [4] Peri, G. (2016). Immigrants, Productivity, and Labor Markets. Journal of Economic Perspectives, 30(4), 3-30.
  5. [5] Massey, D. S., Durand, J., & Pren, K. A. (2016). Why Border Enforcement Backfired. American Journal of Sociology, 121(5), 1557-1600.
  6. [6] Jawetz, T., & Svajlenka, N. P. (2021). Building a More Dynamic Economy: The Benefits of Immigration. Center for American Progress.
  7. [7] Huntington, S. P. (2004). Who Are We? The Challenges to America's National Identity. Simon & Schuster.
  8. [8] Borjas, G. J. (2016). We Wanted Workers: Unraveling the Immigration Narrative. W.W. Norton & Company.
  9. [9] Camarota, S. A. (2020). The Employment Situation of Immigrants and Natives. Center for Immigration Studies.
  10. [10] Borjas, G. J. (2003). The Labor Demand Curve is Downward Sloping: Reexamining the Impact of Immigration on the Labor Market. The Quarterly Journal of Economics, 118(4), 1335-1374.
  11. [11] Goodhart, D. (2013). The British Dream: Successes and Failures of Post-war Immigration. Atlantic Books.
  12. [12] Inserra, D. (2018). Immigration and Border Security Reform. Heritage Foundation.