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Perspectives on Immigration

Perspectives offers fresh ideas and alternative viewpoints on immigration policy from writers inside and outside the immigration debate.

A Conversation about the Economic Effects of Immigration on African Americans

Anti-immigrant groups have repeatedly tried to drive a wedge between African Americans and immigrants by capitalizing on the myth that immigrants take American jobs. In a new Perspectives piece for the Immigration Policy Center, Yale Professor Gerald Jaynes dispels the myth that immigrants take “black jobs” and instead suggests we find solutions on how to lift up all low-wage American workers.

Published On: Tue, Jul 14, 2009 | Download File

Immigration Reform Cited as an Economic Necessity and a Net Gain

The Immigration Policy Center (IPC) has culled the words of leading economists and numerous experts who agree that immigration reform is an economic necessity and a net gain to the U.S. economy.

Published On: Tue, Apr 28, 2009 | Download File

From Denial to Acceptance: Effectively Regulating Immigration to the United States

U.S. immigration policy is based on denial. Most lawmakers in the United States have largely embraced the process of economic “globalization,” yet stubbornly refuse to acknowledge that increased migration, especially from developing nations to developed nations, is an integral and inevitable part of this process.

Published On: Sun, Mar 29, 2009 | Download File

Missing the Target: Anti-Immigrant Ordinances Backfire

In the wake of congressional failure to pass immigration reform legislation this year, hundreds of state and local governments across the country are considering thousands of legislative proposals that target undocumented immigrants. IPC Research Associate Walter Ewing rebuts the arguments of

Published On: Wed, Aug 01, 2007 | Download File

Beyond Border Enforcement: Enhancing National Security Through Immigration Reform

Since 9/11 the watchword in the debate over immigration reform has been “security.” As a result, most policymakers and pundits now approach the subject of immigration largely from a law-enforcement perspective. However, the current border-enforcement strategy, which tends to lump together terrorists and undocumented jobseekers from abroad as groups to be kept out, ignores the causes of undocumented immigration and fuels the expansion of the people-smuggling networks through which a foreign terrorist might enter the country.

Published On: Wed, May 02, 2007 | Download File

Serving the Under-Served: Banking for Undocumented Immigrants

In recent years, there has been a great deal of controversy over the efforts of some banks to offer financial services to individuals without Social Security numbers, many of whom are undocumented immigrants. More and more banks now allow people to open checking and savings accounts and to apply for credit cards and home mortgages using an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) issued by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) or an identification card issued by a foreign consulate in the United States.

Published On: Thu, Mar 01, 2007 | Download File

The Sins of the Fathers: The Children of Undocumented Immigrants Pay the Price

How should the U.S. treat the children who come to the U.S. with their undocumented parents? If they grow up here like children who are born here, should they be able to go to college or to enlist in the military?  Or should their futures be limited because of a decision to immigrate in which they had no voice? Former Arizona State Senator Alfredo Gutierrez and talk show host on Arizona’s Radio Campesina Network argues against requiring children of undocumented immigrants to pay the price for their parents' decision. Read more...

Published On: Mon, Jan 01, 2007 | Download File

Sometimes Imperfect Reform is Better than Perfect Deportation

Former Arizona state senator Alfredo Gutierrez, who hosts a daily talk show on Arizona

Published On: Fri, Dec 01, 2006 | Download File

Less Rhetoric and More Substance on Immigration

Voters rebuffed anti-immigration hardliners in this month’s midterm elections. Despite their best efforts to use immigration as a wedge issue, many of the hardliners were rejected by voters who want more than just tough talk and a 700-mile fence to nowhere. As a result, the stage is set for Congress to find a workable solution to the immigration issues we face.

Published On: Wed, Nov 01, 2006 | Download File

The Rush to Limit Judicial Review

A provision of the House immigration bill that hopefully has been set aside for the year would

Published On: Fri, Sep 01, 2006 | Download File