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Legislation and Policy

Who Reports to Whom?: Immigration in the New Department of Homeland Security

The new Department of Homeland Security divides into three separate agencies immigration functions that previously were combined. This reorganization raises questions about who is in charge of immigration policy as a whole and how immigration services will fare in a department heavily tilted towards enforcement.

Published On: Fri, Aug 01, 2003 | Download File

Cuban Migration: Averting a Crisis

Increased repression by the Castro regime and limitations on the admission of Cubans into the United States create the risk that desperate refugees will look for more dangerous, unauthorized means of escaping persecution. The Bush administration must reform immigration policies towards Cubans to forestall such a crisis.

Published On: Mon, Jun 02, 2003 | Download File

Not Getting What They Paid For: Limiting Immigrants

The 1996 welfare reform law barred most lawful permanent residents of the United States from receiving many of the public benefits their tax dollars help to fund. Benefit restrictions have increased food insecurity and reduced access to health insurance for both legal immigrants and their U.S.-citizen children, while failing to significantly reduce government healthcare expenditures due to the high costs of caring for the uninsured.

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Published On: Sun, Jun 01, 2003 | Download File

A Moratorium on Common Sense: Immigration Accord On Hold While Failed Border Enforcement Policies Continue

After September 11th, efforts to reach an immigration accord with Mexico came to a halt. As a result, the Bush administration continues a poorly conceived border-enforcement strategy from the 1990s that ignores U.S. economic reality, contributes to hundreds of deaths each year among border crossers, does little to reduce undocumented migration or enhance national security, increases profits for immigrant smugglers, and fails to support the democratic transition that the administration of Vicente Fox represents for Mexico.

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Published On: Fri, May 02, 2003 | Download File

Foreign Policy Fallout: Assessing the Risks of Post-Sept. 11 Immigration Policies

Some of the restrictive policies toward non-citizens implemented after the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001 – particularly those affecting visa processing and others targeting Muslims and Arabs – may undermine U.S. foreign policy in the long term. According to foreign policy experts, these policies risk damaging U.S. relations with the international community without enhancing national security.

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Published On: Thu, May 01, 2003 | Download File

U.S. Soldiers from Around the World: Immigrants Fight for an Adopted Homeland

As American troops, including many immigrants, are now engaged in military action in Iraq, the Immigration Policy Center has updated its fact sheet about the role and participation of immigrants in the U.S. Armed Forces.

Published On: Sat, Mar 01, 2003 | Download File

Have We Learned the Lessons of History? World War II Japanese Internment &Today's Secret Detentions

n the aftermath of the horrific events of September 11, 2001, our leaders have begun exercising extraordinary powers to ensure our collective safety, sacrificing the personal liberties of some, particularly immigrants, in the process. Read more...

Published On: Tue, Oct 01, 2002 | Download File

Creating Common Ground: California's Strategies For Integrating Newcomers

A recent study by the Little Hoover Commission suggests that California policymakers need to consider new public programs in order to successfully assimilate immigrants. The Commission's recommendations attempt to align federal immigration policy with the interests of state and community integration.

Published On: Tue, Oct 01, 2002 | Download File

Mexican Immigrant Workers and the U.S. Economy: An Increasingly Vital Role

America's current immigration policies are antiquated and fail to recognize the importance of Mexican workers to the national economy. U.S. immigration law must provide ways for Mexican workers to enter and remain in the U.S., in both temporary and permanent status, with protections to assure that they have the dignity and respect they deserve, given the important contributions they make to America. The status quo can no longer be accepted if the United States is to remain the world's leading economy.

Published On: Sun, Sep 01, 2002 | Download File

A Good Exchange Rate: The Value of International Education Programs

International education and cultural exchange programs continue to offer foreign students an important perspective on American society. Government agencies discuss new measures to improve student visa process.

Published On: Sat, Feb 02, 2002 | Download File