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As the U.S. government appeared headed for a shutdown last week, some Republicans in Congress pushed for additional border security spending as part of a budget deal.
Although their last-minute proposal (which also included significant cuts in other federal spending) was not accepted, Congress is long overdue for comprehensive action on immigration.
Updating and improving the U.S. immigration system is a complex and difficult undertaking, not a political bargaining chip that should be used as last-minute leverage in budget negotiations. Further, needed updates, such as strengthening our borders, providing certainty to new arrivals and allowing asylum seekers to work more quickly, should not be partisan ideas. They should be changes that, done thoughtfully, lawmakers of any political affiliation should be able to agree to.
We, however, are realistic and understand that if Congress hasn’t passed comprehensive immigration reform in decades, it is unlikely to do so in the current divisive political climate. However, given the overlapping problems created by our outdated and inadequate immigration system, updates are essential.
The number of people seeking to cross the U.S.-Mexico border is again rising, driven in large part by immigrants from Central American countries. U.S. Customs and Border Patrol reported more than 2 million encounters with migrants over the last calendar year.
As economic conditions deteriorate in countries like Venezuela and Nicaragua, more migrants from these countries are trying to enter the U.S., adding pressure to a system that already has a backlog of court hearings.
In their version of a bill to avoid a shutdown last week, House Republicans pushed for funding for more border security, including a wall, and for a resumption of the “remain in Mexico policy,” which required migrants seeking asylum in the U.S. to stay in Mexico while waiting for court hearings. The policy, begun by the Trump administration, was bounced around by the courts for several years. Most recently, the Biden administration moved to end the program, but was blocked by a federal judge. Mexico opposes reinstating the policy.
There was some support for including immigration measures in the stop-gap funding bill in the Senate, but ultimately that version failed and lawmakers passed a continuing resolution without the border provisions.
However, lawmakers should find ways to address the growing flow of migrants. This includes funding to boost the economies of countries like Nicaragua and Colombia, while also earmarking money for immigration courts to speed the processing of asylum and other cases.
At the same time, Congress can help migrants already in America. For example, shortening the time for allowing asylum seekers to work would help grow the U.S. workforce while also allowing these immigrants to earn a living rather than relying on charitable and government support.
Passing an Afghan Adjustment Act would also fulfill promises the U.S. made to our allies in Afghanistan and help provide stability to refugees from the country that fell back into Taliban hands with the U.S. military withdrawal two years ago.
Congress has also failed to agree on a permanent solution for the millions of Americans who were brought to this country as children. Although people covered by the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals can remain in the U.S. for now, they don’t have a path to citizenship and no new applications are being accepted, leaving many so-called Dreamers in limbo as the DACA program faces ongoing legal challenges.
These, and other ongoing immigration issues, need attention from Congress. That attention, however, will come through thoughtful bipartisan negotiation, not from last-minute, high-stakes maneuvers to avert a government shutdown.
