Blog on Chapter 16 The 1980s and Beyond

            Daniels describes the Immigration Reform Act of 1986 as ambiguous and it really characterizes so much of the immigration discussion and legislation we have revisited so often. Reforms can never be very “reforming” if they only seek to reflect the current tone of the nation and modify existing rules. Real change cannot happen if it is done without wanting to really change something. This is not to say that immigration policy is simple – it is clearly complex. But even Hesburgh himself wanted to walk the line – balancing America being a land of opportunity for the downtrodden yet also considering today’s harsh realities. Today, twenty years later, the chairman of a Select Commission could say the very same thing. The lack of a federal, comprehensive immigration policy and planning forces states such as Arizona, Alabama and California to take matters into their own hands out of frustration with their immigration issues.

            I agree with Daniels when he points out that the impact of immigration on the standard of living is a debate without end and that the argument has much more force and appeal in an era of economic stringency and lowered expectations. This is evident now as we live in the strain of high unemployment and a stagnant economy. It will be interesting to see the immigration discussions in the 2012 debates and election. What is very different now is that many non-immigrants are joining the ranks of those living near the poverty line or without health care. I’m not so sure that anti-immigration sentiment isn’t being replaced by anti-government sentiment. Many citizens, immigrants and non-immigrants have reached the end of their patience with the bitter partisanship and lack of leadership in our government.

            The explanation of the amnesty program was helpful to my understanding of how it actually works and the dilemmas it has also created for families and employers. It also seems that whatever good intention an immigration program has, it creates almost as many problems as solutions. Then there are always the exceptions made for the agricultural interests. You cannot have it both ways, there just has to be compromise somehow.

            It is interesting to think about Daniel’s prediction that the basic patterns that have been established since 1965, with most immigrants coming from Asia and Latin America, are likely to continue. Unless there is a disastrous depression like the one we experienced in the 1930s. We’ll see what happens.