

America's Immigration System Is Broken. Congress Can't Seem To Fix It.
Feb 6, 2024
Teresa Cardinal Brown, a Senior Advisor for Immigration and Border Policy at the Bipartisan Policy Center, brings her deep expertise in immigration to the forefront. In a riveting discussion, she explores the long history of failed immigration reforms since 1986 and the current impasse in Congress. Brown delves into the complexities of bipartisan negotiations and why lawmakers struggle to grasp the depth of the issues. She underscores the urgent need for comprehensive reform, especially for those seeking asylum at the southern border, amidst a crisis of outdated policies.
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Reagan's Immigration Stance
- In 1980, Ronald Reagan supported legal immigration with work permits.
- However, the 1986 Immigration Reform and Control Act he signed didn't solve illegal immigration.
Broken System
- The U.S. immigration system is broken, with the last major reform in 1986.
- Current reform efforts face significant challenges and likely failure.
Challenges of Bipartisanship
- Bipartisan efforts under Bush and Obama failed due to complex bill negotiations.
- Changes requested by individual members often led to the collapse of overall support.