The federal government is shut down, at least partially. The reason, we are told, is President Trump's demand for a "wall." That isn't really the President's demand, and that really isn't why we are at such an impasse.
President Trump last week reiterated his call for more foreign workers to fill jobs apparently Americans won't do. This was lost in the blow-up between the President and CNN correspondent Jim Acosta. However, it isn't the first time the President has said this, and it isn't true.
Christopher Browning, a professor of German history, published a long essay in The New York Review of Books. The topic wasn't a book review but a vituperative attack on President Trump, including a denunciation of those, Trump supporters or not, who seek to restrict immigration. It is shockingly shoddy work by someone of Browning's stature, and any effect it may have will only serve to inflame political passions.
On this Labor Day, let us consider how much work there is to do to achieve a sustainable immigration system. One that considers the well-being of the American people and the environment.
Barbara Jordan is a true hero of the Civil Rights Movement, an icon of American politics, and a guiding light to those who continue to fight for immigration reforms that put the interests of the American people first. Susan F. Martin, professor emerita at Georgetown University and former staff member of the Jordan Commission, wrote a piece last week attacking President Trump for a letter the White House put out praising Jordan's work. Martin was aghast that Trump would "intimate" that he and Jordan held similar policy positions on immigration. President Trump is a political lightening rod, no doubt, even more so than other modern Presidents, but in attacking him Martin misrepresented Barbara Jordan's views on immigration and the recommendations of the Jordan Commission.
President Trump delivered a speech on December 18 outlining his National Security Strategy, a document required each year from the executive branch by Congress. Reiterating themes that won him the 2016 election, President Trump gave strong indications that immigration policy will be at the forefront of his Administration's efforts in 2018.
CNN's Jim Acosta hi-jacked the White House briefing last Wednesday after the introduction of the RAISE Act. Problem is, he knows very little about immigration policy or the history of immigration to the United States.
Last week, House Speaker Paul Ryan launched the GOP’s plan to fight poverty and enable the upward mobility of Americans.
Immigration does “grow the economy” and highly-skilled immigrants do contribute more in taxes than they receive in direct government services (education, healthcare, entitlements, etc.). It would be very difficult to find an economist who disagreed with the above statement.