Legalization

2018 Whole-of-Community Conference | Session V: Refugees, Dreamers, Unaccompanied Minors, and TPS Beneficiaries

In July 2018, scholars, researchers, community organizers, service providers, local officials, leaders of faith communities, immigrant advocates, and others gathered together for a three-day event on how diverse groups in Ohio, Kentucky, and Indiana are working together to meet the...

2018 Whole-of-Community Conference | Session III: National and Regional Responses to Changing Policies

Framing Immigrants: New Coverage, Public Opinion, and Policy

Yamil Ricardo Velez of Wesleyan University reviews Framing Immigrants: New Coverage, Public Opinion, and Policy, by Christopher Haynes, Jennifer Merolla, and Karthick Ramakrishnan. Christopher Haynes, Jennifer Merolla, and Karthick Ramakrishnan analyze media coverage of several key immigration policy issues—including mass deportations, comprehensive immigration reform,...

Anchor Babies and the Challenge of Birthright Citizenship

Joon K. Kim of Colorado State University reviews Anchor Babies and the Challenge of Birthright Citizenship by Leo R. Chavez. Leo R. Chavez explores the deep and contentious history of birthright citizenship in the United States. A history that is often hard...

From IIRIRA to Trump: Connecting the Dots to the Current US Immigration Policy Crisis

This paper examines the effects of the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996 (IIRIRA). It traces the evolution of US immigration law and policy from IIRIRA’s implementation, to recent measures that seek to diminish legal immigration, restrict access to the US asylum system, reduce due process protections for non-citizens in removal proceedings, criminalize immigration violations, and expand the role of states and localities in immigration enforcement. The paper draws from a collection of papers published in the Journal on Migration and Human Security on IIRIRA’s multi-faceted consequences, as well as extensive legal analysis of IIRIRA and the current administration’s immigration agenda.

CALL FOR PROPOSALS | Special Collection on Access to Justice, Due Process, and Fundamental Fairness in Tribute to Juan Osuna

The Center for Migration Studies in New York (CMS) is publishing a special online collection of original articles, essays, and blogs in tribute to the late Juan Osuna, former director of the Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR) at the...

JMHS Special Collection | The US Immigration System: Principles, Interests, and Policy Proposals to Guide Long-Term Reform

The Center for Migration Studies (CMS) announces the release of The US Immigration System: Principles, Interests, and Policy Proposals to Guide Long-Term Reform, a special collection of the Journal on Migration and Human Security (JMHS). The collection seeks to look beyond...

The Case for a National Legalization Program without Legislation or Executive Action

This paper presents the results of a study that finds that as many as two million unauthorized immigrants in the United States could have a path to permanent legal status. However, these immigrants may not know that they are eligible for legal status or be able to afford the costs. The two million figure is drawn from an analysis of data on 4,070 screened unauthorized immigrants from 12 states. The study highlights the profound impact that a national project to screen for legal status would have on the US unauthorized population, mixed-status families, and US communities, including growth in home ownership and increased tax revenues. The paper recommends the following: (1) a massive, nationwide legal screening and legalization effort; (2) a substantial increase in high-quality, low-cost legal service providers; (3) increased legal training focused on immigration law and eligibility screening; and (4) extensive community outreach and education, especially among under-resourced populations.

The President’s Immigration Reform Plan Takes a Well-Deserved Tumble

The Trump administration repeatedly insisted during the Senate’s immigration debate that it would reject any plan that did not incorporate all of its pillars for reform. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) inserted itself into the debate with a press...

Immigration Governance for the Twenty-First Century

The system of US immigration governance is administered by several agencies and departments across the federal government, with no clear chain of command or single department that captures the reach of the Immigration and Nationality Act. This paper studies the administration of immigration law and policy while looking towards immigration governance for the future. It opens with a historical overview that provides the backdrop for the current fragmented system of immigration governance. It then breaks down the missions and functions of the Immigration and Nationality Act by the lead agencies tasked with these responsibilities. The paper concludes with an analysis of options for improving the current system, such as: reorganizing and expanding governance by creating an Interagency Council on Immigration interagency; consolidating governance by creating an independent immigration agency; or tweaking the current system through critical reforms.