Some random thoughts on immigration... What do you think?

As someone who has had permanent residency in 5 countries (and in the process of trying to obtain number 6), I've had a little bit of experience with immigration. It's not always been a pleasant experience, and came with a decent degree of paperwork, time, effort and expenses. The US obviously has been a land of immigrants from day 1 and has had its ups and downs with how it has handled this issue. Trump made it a huge component of his 2016 election platform and now Biden is just the latest of our leaders to deal with the border crisis. 

Here are some random thoughts on things that should be considered when making an effective immigration policy (I don't have all the answers, but think that these are key considerations):

  • which category migrants are allowed into a country is by its very nature quite arbitrary, but some rules need to be laid explicitly out;
  • how tough to be with those that are attempting to enter the country illegally;
  • a cap on yearly entry into a country in order to allow the systems in place to appropriately incorporate and assimilate new entrants;
  • we should look to help those that are already in the country first, especially given all of the issues that plague the US prior to focusing on and prioritizing new arrivals;
  • should we have a different policy for those countries that are near (such as those in central and south America) versus those people that come from places further away;
  • what is the balance that should be struck between focusing on those seeking to come to the US because they are being persecuted in their home countries, versus those that seek to immigrate for the promise of better economic prospects;
  • how many protections and benefits/services should be offered to undocumented people and at what point do we send people home (especially repeat offenders);
  • given that the US probably aided in desperation of people in certain countries, should the country be more lenient towards immigrants from those places;
  • expand visa lengths to allow (impose the requirement?) immigrants the opportunity the chance to eventually become American citizens, and reduce the types of visas offered now that preclude that possibility.
Bottom line is, I am reminded of the pre-takeoff safety briefings on planes: please make sure to put the oxygen mask on yourself before helping those around you. Shouldn't we look to solve the many domestic issues that face this great country first rather than looking to help everyone else?

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