The debate about immigration brings out some of the deepest anxieties and biggest disagreements in America. And right now, all of it feels like it’s coming to a head. In 2022, there were over 2.76 million illegal migrant crossings at the Southwest border. That’s roughly the population of Chicago, America’s third largest city. To address this unprecedented surge, President Biden recently announced tougher restrictions and made a show of visiting the border himself.
But unlike a decade or two ago, when the immigration debate was mostly about economics, today it’s an issue that’s subsumed by the culture wars and our polarized discourse. Republican governors bus migrants to sanctuary cities and they’re called “xenophobic” and “cruel” by the left. But what happens when a Democratic governor does much the same thing, bussing migrants from Colorado to New York City and Chicago? Is it still a heartless political stunt? Or is all of this just an inevitable consequence of our broken immigration system?
So today: a debate moderated by guest host Kmele Foster between Alex Nowrasteh and Jessica Vaughan. Are current levels of immigration helping or hurting America? How do we balance humanitarian concerns with America’s economic and security needs? Should we be trying to enforce more or less restrictions at the border? And what exactly should we do to fix our immigration policies?
Alex is the director of Economic and Social Policy Studies at the Cato Institute, a libertarian think tank. Jessica is the director of Policy Studies for the Center for Immigration Studies, a think tank that describes themselves as “pro-immigrant but low immigration.”
While Alex and Jessica couldn’t be more opposite in their approach – Alex favors free immigration, while Jessica argues for restrictionist policies – today on Honestly we look for common ground, debate the facts, and search for solutions
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Awful "Moderator". Weak back and forth .....but nice try !! needs to be revisited.
Man, this was good but I disagree with Alex for so many reasons. We have had over 5 million illegals come over our border from over 160 different countries in the last 2 years. They are not vetted so we have no idea who is getting into our country. It is disturbing. I find it interesting that it wasn't mentioned how many MILLIONS and MILLIONS of US dollars are being sent to Mexico from these illegal immigrants. They are working for cash and not paying taxes. It IS a huge problem. I can't tell you how many hispanic laborers that we hire ask us to pay them in cash and if we can't do that they won't work with us. That is a fact! They undercut American laborers when they get the jobs. I agree that there is a huge shortage of Americans who are starting businesses as roofers, painters, landscapers, drywallers,etc. etc. but I hate it that immigrants are not following our tax laws.
We are a sinking ship as we bow down to give these people welfare benefits. It is ridiculous. They should not be here if they cannot support themselves.
Assimilation is another issue I get frustrated with. I seriously would never immigrate to a foreign country without learning the language, and respecting that country's laws. Our schools are being overrun by non english speaking children so teachers then are struggling to take care of students needs. Our english students are failing miserably yet we are putting millions of dollars into taking care of illegal immigrant students. I could go on and on.