The Foreseeable Future of U.S. Immigration Reform
What lies ahead for U.S. Immigration law? Reform does if the President and whatever supporters he is able to get on his side are successful in their quest to substantially change U.S. Immigration law.
The reforms implemented and sought address a range of issues. The Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA), enacted by the Department of Homeland Security memo rather than congressional authority in 2012,recognizes the stay of select undocumented students through two-year visas. Other pushes include the legalization of children who arrived at a young age and paths to citizenship based on a proven history of contribution by working and paying taxes. As for enforcement, a notable move is being made to focus more on deportation of those convicted of violent and other serious crimes, leaving alone those whose only infraction is the illegal presence in the country. These reforms and general attitude changes seem to reflect a more fluid approach to immigration, where rules allow for discretionary analysis and are more amenable to a world growing in population and complexity of interactions. Policy shifts, which come from the Obama administration, also represent a more active roll undertaken by a sitting president than has been seen in recent time. The president is trying to get Congress to follow.
Though Congress may seem preoccupied with the current battle over health care and a host of other issues, immigration reform seems to be gaining some speed. The Senate passed an immigration bill earlier this year that provides, among other things, for the legalization of some 11 million undocumented persons. A Congressional Budget Office report offered economic justification for bill, citing boosts in domestic growth and cuts to the federal budget deficit. House action on the bill remains stagnant as some Members of Congress object to the bill for various reasons including the bill’s provisions, structure, and implications.
As a result, reform talk has also become a political tool. Immigration is being thought of as too great a topic to address with so little time left in this year’s congressional session, leaving it to fuel political debates during the midterm elections next November. It would be wrong to assume, however, that proponents and opponents aren’t currently engaged in serious debate on the future of U.S. Immigration law. A House vote on the bill by the end of the year is still in the works as the President and leaders from various industries recently descended on the Capitol to persuade a vote.
Reform is never only a discussion about what content goes into the law. Resource allocation, timing, and general strategy in both the legislative process and the public press release of those ideas must play by the rules of politics as well. How this will affect what immigration policies are not only enacted, but also actually debated on, is a matter to be seen.
If you have any questions, the team here at Buda Law Group will gladly answer them. Please reach out to us to find out more or get a competitive quote on our legal immigration services.
Thank You,
John B. Buda, Esq.
www.budalawgroup.net office: 310-452-1872 john.buda@budalawgroup.net 3301 Ocean Park Blvd. Suite 205 Santa Monica, CA 90405
