Research Finds Issuing Work Visas is More Effective Than Building a Wall to Reduce Illegal Immigration
A study conducted by National Foundation for American Policy found that building a wall to reduce illegal immigration, as Donald Trump suggests, would be counterproductive and ineffective because it would encourage more unauthorized immigrants to stay in the U.S. for the long-term, rather than work briefly in the U.S. and then return home. The study found that issuing temporary work visas would be a much more effective solution.
Contrary to Donald Trump’s campaign rhetoric, the illegal immigration of Mexicans declined by 82 percent between 2005 and 2015. According to the findings, temporary work visas would likely decrease illegal immigration further by providing a legal channel for people to temporarily work in the U.S. at low-skilled jobs and then return home. This method would also allow law enforcement to focus its resources on confronting more serious security threats.
Moreover, the study predicts that building a wall on the Mexican border would likely threaten the current cooperative relationship between Mexico and the U.S. on immigration enforcement. This would likely bolster human smuggling cartels, which already profit from the lack of legal avenues to work in the U.S. at low-skilled jobs.
Additionally, the study notes that building a wall will do nothing to deter families and unaccompanied minors fleeing violence and economic hardship in Central America. Because anyone can legally present themselves at a lawful port of entry and request asylum, building a wall would have no impact on Central Americans seeking asylum in the U.S. Therefore, the study advocates for a combination of intensive efforts to address the root causes of immigration from Central America, in-country refugee processing, and fair and expeditious processing of asylum claims, in addition to providing more ways to work legally in the U.S.
To view a summary of the research findings, please click here.
To view the full study, please click here.
VAWA Amendments to the Cuban Adjustment Act Provide Continued Eligibility for Abused Spouses and Children
USCIS released a new policy memorandum outlining Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) amendments to the Cuban Adjustment Act. The amendments provide continued eligibility for adjustment of status for an abused spouse or child of a qualifying Cuban principal. The new amendments are effective immediately.
The amendments are as follows:
- The abused spouse or child does not need to demonstrate he or she currently resides with the abusive Cuban spouse or parent;
- The abused spouse remains eligible to file an application for adjustment of status within 2 years after the death of the abusive Cuban spouse, if the applicant lived with the abusive Cuban spouse; and
- The abused spouse remains eligible to file an application for adjustment of status within 2 years after the termination of the marital relationship (i.e., divorce or annulment) from the abusive Cuban spouse, if the abused spouse demonstrates that the:
- Termination of the marriage and the abuse by the Cuban spouse are connected; and
- The abused spouse lived with the abusive Cuban spouse.
To view the full memorandum, please click here.
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