This chapter traces the historical evolution of US immigration policy, from the early 20th century to present-day debates on border control and influx of immigrants. It details the personal immigration story of the speaker's great-grandfather, illuminating the deep-rooted influence of family history on perspectives. The narrative delves into the unintended consequences of immigration laws over time and the evolving discourse surrounding immigration in the US.
The U.S. immigration system is a massively complicated machine, with a lot of worn-out parts. How to fix it? Step one: Get hold of some actual facts and evidence. (We did this step for you.) (Part two of a three-part series.)
- RESOURCES:
- The Truth About Immigration: Why Successful Societies Welcome Newcomers, by Zeke Hernandez (2024, available for pre-order).
- "Illegal Immigration Is a Bigger Problem Than Ever. These Five Charts Explain Why," by Andrew Mollica, Alicia A. Caldwell, Michelle Hackman, and Santiago Pérez (The Wall Street Journal, 2023).
- Ours Was the Shining Future: The Story of the American Dream, by David Leonhardt (2023).
- The Economic and Fiscal Consequences of Immigration, by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (2017).