Illegal Immigration and Possible Solutions: 2016

By David Luxner

Because illegal immigration is currently the subject of a vigorous national conversation, one needs a basic history of our immigration system and laws. This essay by David Luxnerwas written in the fall of 2016, prior to the executive orders signed in early 2017 by the Trump administration, but his work provides a clear primer on the subject, including definitions of relevant terms (like “sanctuary cities”). Therefore, to better understand our U.S. immigration laws and their means of enforcement, it should be required reading for anyone seeking to take part in that national conversation, in order to find viable pathways to immigration reform.

--Para-Legal Studies Professor Marcy Delesandri

INTRODUCTION

“Illegalimmigration”refersto theactionsofpeoplecrossingthenationalborderintothe UnitedStatesinamannerthatviolatestheimmigrationlawsorstayinginthecountrypasttheparametersofalegalentry. Overall,immigration (legal and illegal) isusually anascendingmove--thatis, from a poorertoaricherliving situation—but the number of illegal immigrants living in the U.S. (about 11 million) has not varied tremendously since 2005.1

Thistermpaperfocusesonafewofthenumerouscontributingfactorstoillegalimmigration in the U.S.:acloudedunderstandingofillegalimmigration;acomplicatedimmigrationsystem(oftenwithlongwaits);discordamongAmericancitizens,Congress,elected

officials,federalandlocalgovernments,andlawenforcement;andSanctuaryCities.Economicfactorsanddreamsofanewlifeareinterwovenintothesecontributingfactorsandany possiblesolutionspresented.

CONGRESS,NATIONALGRASPANDDISCORD

According to the U.S. Constitution, Congressisgrantedtheabsoluteexclusiverighttolegislateintheareaofimmigration.Themajorityofrelevantlaws,includingtheImmigrationandNationalityAct(INA),arefoundinonefederal,legalsource—the United States Code.2

Congress,however, continuestofailtoreachanagreementonbroadimmigrationreforms,includingthepossibilityofgivingworkpermitstoas many asmillionundocumentedimmigrantsandof delayingsomedeportations.

ManyAmericansaredeeplyworriedthatillegalimmigrationthreatensthenation'sbeliefs,culture,customsandeconomy.Othersareconcernedthatstricterlawsand/orlawenforcementmayleadtounfairandunethicalconsequences(includingdeportation)formanygood,hardworkingpeopleandtheirfamilies. DespiteWhiteHouseandU.S.ChamberofCommerceargumentsthatillegal immigrants benefit businesses, manyAmericansstill believeillegalimmigrantsplaceaburdenontheeconomy.

Almosteveryonehasanopiniononillegalimmigration,butwhenitcomestothefacts,thenumberofpeoplewithagrasponthesituationdrops. Unfortunately,theissuesregardingthecausesofillegalimmigration enforcementofcurrentlawsandpossiblesolutionshasbecomeapoliticalelectioncampaigntool—rather than a means of doingwhatisbestforAmericabasedonthevaluesAmericawasfoundedonandan adherence to the U.S. Constitution.This further complicates Americans’understandingofillegalimmigrationfacts.

COMPLICATEDIMMIGRATIONSYSTEMANDALONGWAIT

In fact, theUnitedStateshasaveryactiveandcomplicatedlegalimmigrationsystem

including all of the following moving parts:

•Manykindsofvisas

•Avisalottery

•Aseriesofspecialvisaprogramsreservedforartists,internationalbusinessexecutives,scientists,andotherswithspecialorneededskills

•Waitingtimesofuptoseveralyears withmillions of people waiting

•Anarrayoffactorsincludingthecountrywherethevisaisrequested

Because of so many multiple tracks and factors,largenumbersofindividualschoosetheillegaloption.

SANCTUARYCITIES

Oneof thehottestrecent politicaltopics, thatnoteveryoneunderstands,isthatofSanctuaryCities (which adopt a “hand off” policy towards illegal immigration enforcement).Theprotectionthesecitiesoffercontributestoillegalchoicesand continues to divideAmericaandits political polarization.

GuidelinesissuedbytheOfficeofJusticePrograms3mandate thatcitiesthatrefuseto

honorSection 1373 of Title 8 of the UnitedStatesCode4arenolongereligiblefortheEdwardByrneJusticeAssistanceGrantProgram(JAG)andtheStateCriminalAlienAssistanceProgram(SCAAP)grants.Section1373prohibits"governmententitiesandofficialsfromtakingactiontoprohibitorinanywayrestrictthemaintenanceorintergovernmentalexchangeof[immigrationstatus]information,includingthroughwrittenorunwrittenpoliciesorpractices."

TheJusticeDepartmentsurprisedmanyinJuly2016when it announcedpoliciesdenyingfederallawenforcementgrantstosomesanctuarycities;however,inadditiontoSection1373,thedoctrineof pre-emption intheU.S.Constitution'clearlymandatesthatwhenthereisaconflictbetweenastatelawandfederallaw,federallawprevails.Thefactthattheconflictexistsistangibleevidenceofcitizenandgovernmentdiscord.Regardlessoftherightor wrongbehindthesanctuary cities’ policies,thefactisthat they create disharmony, and therefore exacerbatetheillegalimmigrationproblem(orperceivedproblem).

TexasRep.JohnCulbersonspurredtheJusticeDepartment'smove,emphasizing“sanctuarypolicies"which prohibitlocallawenforcementagenciesfromprovidingcertaininformationtofederalimmigrationagencies. Additionally, his proposal stated that because of thebillionsinfundinggiventocitiesinthepastfiveyears, theymustceasenoncompliance.5

Quotations deleted from Culbertson—not documented in original text.

TheObama WhiteHouseactively opposedthe Stop Dangerous Sanctuary Cities Act6whichwouldcutfederaleconomicdevelopmentandcommunityblockgrantstosanctuaryjurisdictions– and hasarguedthatthebillwouldunfairlydenyfundingtoimplementawiderangeofinfrastructureandhousingactivitiesaswellasvitalpublicservices,includingmealstotheelderlyandaffordablechildcareforlow-income,workingfamilies.

OPPORTUNITIESANDPOSSIBLELONG-TERMSOLUTIONS

Seemingly,thereisnoeasywaytofixthislong-standingissue;but,therearedefinitepossible solutions. Ifweagreethattheillegalimmigrationproblemisaconsequenceofacombinationofelementspresentedinthispaper,thenthefollowingideas,noneofthemeasyandallwithcosts,arepossiblereallong-termsolutions.

1. StrengthenBorderSecurity. Inresponsetotheeventsof9/11andtheincreasingpopulationofillegalimmigrants,ourgovernmenthassteadilyincreasedeffortstoenhancenationalsecurity.Alaw7signedintolawbyPresidentBushmandatedtheconstructionof652milesoffencesalongourSouthernborders.AsofFebruary2012,651mileswerecomplete. On the other hand, PresidentObamaclaimedAmericahasnow"strengthenedbordersecuritybeyondwhat manybelievedwaspossible."However,withthecontinuouslyincreasingnumberofillegalbordercrossings,nationalsecurityremainsporous.

TheMexico-UnitedStatesborderhasatotallength of nearly 2000 miles.Asasolutiontothenever-endingillegalcrossings,manypeoplesuggestconstructingafencefor this entire length--whichwouldcostAmericabillionsofdollarsplusthecostofmaintenance,additionalreinforcement,andhigh-techequipment.Somesayit'snotcomplicatedandto"justbuildthedamnfence."

2. StrengthenInteriorEnforcement. Improvinginternallawenforcementmaygoalongwaytowards solving il1egalimmigration,butfederalandlocalgovernmentsmustbeunited. The287(g)provisionofthe Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996 providesauthorityforstateandlocallawenforcementagenciestoinvestigate,detain,andarrestillegalaliens.However,it'sacompletelyvoluntaryprogramthatonlyencouragesstateandlocallawofficialstoparticipateiftheywanttobeinvolvedinimmigrationenforcement.

As part of this 1996 Act,onlyabout1,800policeofficershavebeentrainedbyU.S.ImmigrationandCustomsEnforcement(ICE)8. So, withmillionsofillegalimmigrantscurrentlyresidingintheU.S.today, these limited resources make itseemimpossibletoresolvetheissue.

Perhapsonewaytofinallystopillegalimmigrationistopressurethegovernmenttofullyenforceimmigrationlawsandexpandthe287(g)programbyobligatingstateandlocallawenforcemententitiestoenterintoapartnershipagreementwithICEandincreaseactivelaw enforcementpersonnel.

3. ImprovetheLegalImmigrationSystem. Notallillegalimmigrantssneakorswimacrosstheborder.Asmanyashalfofthem arrivewithlegaldocuments,includingpassportsand/orvisas,thatpermitthemtoentertheU.S.territory. Whentheirvisaexpires,theysimplydo notleavethecountryandbecomeillegalaliens by default.

Thegovernmentshouldimplementabettersystemthatwilleffectivelytrackdownpeoplewhooverstaytheirvisas.Evenif itmeansspendingmorefundsandhiringmorepeople,thegovernmentshouldpushitinordertostopillegalimmigration.Anothercomponentcouldbetoimplementstricterimmigrationrules,includinginterviews,backgroundchecks,verificationofemployment,etc.Withoutbettervisaprograms,itappearsimpossibletoeliminatethisillegalimmigrationproblem.

OneofthegoalsoftheUnitedStatesCongressistocurtailfutureflowsofunauthorized immigrationbycorrectingsomeoftheflawsofthecurrentlegalimmigrationsystem.Tothatend,itestablishesanupdatedsystemoflegalimmigrationthat,inprinciple,seekstomatchthecountry'seconomicandlaborneedswhilerespectingprinciplesoffamily unification.

4. ImplementABetter JobProgram. Abetterjobsprogramshouldalsohelp.ManypeoplebelievethattheUnitedStatesisthelandofopportunities-betterjobs,bettereducation,andbetterlifeingeneral.Andthat'sthereasonwhysomanypeoplearemigratingintothecountry.Infact,manyofthemevenrisktheirlivesjusttogethereandmakealivingtosupportthemselvesandtheirfamilies.

Therefore,if the country could createamuchmoreeffectivejobprogramthatwillopenopportunitiestonon-U.S.workers,sotheywouldnolongerhavetoentertheU.S.territoryillegally, that maybegoodfor people,business,theeconomy,andinternationalrelations.

5. MandateE-Verify. E-verifyisaneffectiveinternet-basedprogramoperatedbytwofederalagencies (Homeland Security and Social Security Administration) to ensure thatemployersdetermineifemployeesareeligibletoworkinthecountrybycomparingtheinformationfromtheemployee'sI-9todatafromU.S.governmentrecords. TheproblemisthatE-verify isnotmandatoryinallstates.Companiesaremerelyencouragedtoparticipate,whichmorethan500,000companiesdo9.

IfthegovernmentwillrequireallemployerstouseE-verify,illegalimmigrantswillhaveit more difficult tofindajob.Thiscouldbecomeamajorcontributortoeliminateemploymentasareasontoimmigrateillegally. Ofcourse,employerswhowillnotfollowtheruleswouldneed tobegiventoughcriminalpenaltiestomakethissolutionmoreeffective--because,desperateand/orgreedyemployersarepartofthereasonwhythereareillegalimmigrants.

6. EliminateIllegalImmigrationRewards. The continuingpracticesof hiringillegalworkers,grantingautomaticcitizenshiptobabiesofillegalaliensbornwithinourborders,andprovidingthem publicbenefitshavebecomeamagnetforillegalimmigration.LargenumbersofillegalimmigrantsbelievethatwithallthebenefitsAmericawillprovidetothem,cominginillegalismoreimmediatethanlegalentryandjustasrewarding.

7. LegalizeThem. PresidentObamamadeanannouncementaboutallowingalmosthalfofthe11million illegalimmigrantslivingintheUnitedStatesto remaininthecountry,provided,ofcourse,theypassacriminalbackgroundcheckandpaytaxes.Asexpected,noteverybodyagrees. Manybelievethatitwillonlymaketheproblemmuchworsebyfurtheringmotivationfor illegalalienstoenterthecountry.

Whilethismaybecontradictorytosomeofthesolutionsmentioned, itcouldbeapotentialcomponentbygivingcurrentillegalimmigrants(especiallythoseherealongtimewithnocriminalrecord,agoodworkhistory,aproductivetaxpayingrecord,andwithfamilies)achancetoliveoutoftheshadowandhaveabetterfuture.Legalizationwouldallowthesepeople to contribute to our economy through an increased work force, additional truces, and a mix of cultural benefits.

8. Authorize Armed Forces at the Border. Despite the large number of National Guard troops sent by Bush and Obama on the southern and northern borders, illegal immigrants continue to enter and live in the U.S. Because of this, many concerned individuals are urging the use of military to effectively secure our borders. A border barrier (wall) isalmostmeaninglessifitisnotmonitored properly.

SomeillegalimmigrantsenterAmericatobecomepartofdrugtrafficking,documentfraud,andothercriminalactivitiesincludinginstancesofkidnappinginnocentvictimsfor ransom.Theuseofarmedforcestoprotectourbordersneedstofocusoncriminalsandcriminal activityincludingdestructionoffencesandgates,damagetowaterpipes,massiveaccumulationsoftrash,propertydefacement,andlivestocktheft.

Thisaction mayfurtherservetodecreasecivilianstakingthematterintotheirownhands,whichisalsocriminal.

9. AuthorizeVolunteerCivilianGroups. Whilemostofthethousandsofillegalimmigrantswhoenterdailydososimplybecause ofthesearchforabetterIife,theiractionsadverselyaffectthelivesofothers.Farmersandranchers,wholivealongtheborders,sufferdailyalmostdailyduetoillegalimmigration. Dealingwithsuch issuesincreasestheirstressandhardship,and thatistheveryreasonwhyvariousciviliangroupshaveemergedwhenthefederalauthoritieshaveeffectivelyfailed.

Whilecivilianpatrolgroupsarenotlegallyauthorizedtoconducttheiractivities,increasingnumbers ofconcernedcitizenssupportthem. We,ascitizens,havetherighttodefendourselves,protectourproperties,andmakeanarrestincaseofbreachesofthepeace.

10. Establish international agreements. TheUnitedStatesmustalsoworkwithothercountriesbyinvestinginreal and lasting economicsolutionstofundamentalproblemsinordertohelpandprotectbothcountries.

CONCLUSION

Alone,anyoneofthesolutionsabovewill notsolvealltheissues. Furthermore, somehaveoverlappingelementsandsomearecontradictory.Depending onperspective,thesepossiblecomponentsmaybeviewedasstrongorweak,positiveornegative, andrewardingorpunitive.

Theultimatelong-termsolutiontoimmigrationwillbefoundinacombinationof federal, state,andlocalunity;changingof economicconditions;revising of current policies;andopportunities createdinthedisadvantagedcountriesfromwheretheillegalimmigrantshail. Somecombinationofthepossiblesolutionsismostlikelythebestchoicetoimplementaplanthatconforms totheConstitutionanditsintent,unifythe governmentandadiversityofcitizens--andbesuccessful.

END NOTES

  1. Population Estimates. “Estimates of the Unauthorized Immigrant Population,” [accessed November 1, 2016].
  1. Government Printing Office. “United States Code.”
    [accessed November 5, 2016].
  1. U.S. Department of Justice. “Memorandum to the Office of Justice Programs,” November 1, 2016].
  1. Government Printing Office. Title 8. Section1373. “United States Code.” October21, 2016].
  1. Culberson, John. 398522[accessed November 1, 2016].
  1. Congress.gov. “S.87 - Stop Dangerous Sanctuary Cities Act,” November 9, 2016].
  1. Congress.gov. “HR 6061 - SecureFenceActof2006,” November 1, 2016].
  1. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. “Delegation of Immigration Authority Section 287 (g) Immigration and Nationality Act,” November 2, 2016].
  1. U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. “Half a Million Companies Now Participate in E-Verify,” November 1, 2016].