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U.S. immigration policy has long languished in political gridlock and failed to keep up with the realities of today. We are a nation of immigrants, and a nation governed by the rule of law, and both of these principles should be reflected in a system that welcomes new arrivals in an orderly and humane way.
It has been clear for quite some time that this standard is not being met, especially at the southern border. In polls, most Americans say that they support tougher measures at the border while also supporting measures like legal status for so-called Dreamers who were brought to this country illegally as children. The path forward has always been a bipartisan one that melds stronger border security with protection for Dreamers and others already here, along with the continued commitment to America being a refuge for those fleeing persecution.
It is too soon to know if the latest bipartisan proposal, forthcoming from Senate negotiators and tied to Ukraine and Israel funding based on previous Republican demands, strikes this needed balance. But comments from those involved indicate that would be the case. And more broadly, this balanced approach is what has been needed for years.
It was needed in 2013 when House Republicans refused to even consider a meticulously negotiated bipartisan bill from the Senate, ensuring that issues went unaddressed before an election. It was needed when Donald Trump helped scuttled another bipartisan border proposal in 2018, negotiated by independent U.S. Sen. Angus King and Republican U.S. Sen. Mike Rounds of South Dakota, once again ensuring that many immigration issues went unaddressed.
Trump, who currently holds no elected office, and House Republicans are now trying to thwart the newest bipartisan attempt to actually improve the situation at the southern border and improve U.S. immigration policy generally. It’s almost as if they want to campaign on these issues more than solve them.
We aren’t alone in this analysis.
“We have a divided government that was elected by the people in 2022, and nothing can be done without compromise,” Democratic U.S. Rep. Jared Golden said in a Monday statement. “Unfortunately, Donald Trump and other GOP leaders have made clear they would rather continue to see an overrun border, illegal immigration, and drug trafficking than address the border crisis.”
Golden has broken with his party and been critical of the Biden administration’s border policies. But he also recognizes the unproductive cynicism on display from some Republicans.
“They’re saying the quiet part out loud: They think border chaos is a good campaign tool against the Democrats, and they’re so determined to do nothing that they’re wasting time with a pointless, unfounded impeachment inquiry against [Homeland Security] Secretary [Alejandro] Mayorkas instead of working on a bipartisan border deal,” Golden continued in the statement.
The alternative to bipartisan dealmaking, as we’ve seen play out over a decade, has been inaction. That inaction has only made things worse. For politicians who want to solve problems, this has been a failure. For politicians who want to exploit people’s fears and frustrations, this has been a cynical opportunity.
Yes, immigration policy has not kept up with immigration realities, but in some ways, that has been by design. The need for comprehensive, bipartisan immigration reform has been clear for at least a decade. And for at least a decade, some Republicans — especially those in the House and Trump — have weaponized the problem while actively derailing potential solutions.
This needs to end. Lawmakers must actually want to solve the issues involved, not just campaign on them. It is past time for members of Congress, especially Republicans, to embrace pragmatic solutions rather than perpetuating campaign ad fodder.
“The American people largely agree the border should be secured, and they are fed up with politicians’ antics. They want a deal done, and so do I,” Golden continued in his statement. “The reported deal between the White House and Senate negotiators may not be perfect, but it would go a long way toward securing the border and slowing the flow of migrants, while ensuring our strategic allies in Israel and Ukraine have the tools they need to fend off Hamas and [Vladimir] Putin.”
It is past time for our elected officials to decide: Do they want to work to make America’s immigration system safer, more secure and more humane? Or do they want to keep campaigning on the issue? And as the voting public, do we want to keep letting them fail to address the issue, just so they can turn around and tell us how bad it is?
