The President’s Inbox

Trump's Immigration Policy, with Edward Alden (Transition 2025, Episode 9)

Jan 14, 2025

Edward Alden, a senior fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations and expert on immigration policy, dives into the intricate landscape of Trump's proposed immigration reforms. He discusses the historical context of U.S. border control and compares current asylum issues to past conditions. Alden highlights the economic impact of deportations on critical industries and emphasizes the importance of high-skilled immigrant labor in fostering innovation. Additionally, he critiques nationalist immigration strategies, advocating for a balanced approach that merges effective border management with diplomatic initiatives.

34:04

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Episode guests

Edward Alden

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Episode notes

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Quick takeaways

Trump's immigration policy emphasizes stringent border controls and anticipates a significant shift towards state involvement in enforcement strategies.

The administration's plans for mass deportation face logistical challenges that could economically impact sectors reliant on immigrant labor.

Deep dives

Trump's Immigration Strategy at the Southern Border

Donald Trump's immigration policy places a strong emphasis on managing and controlling the southern border with Mexico, which has faced longstanding challenges. The increasing number of asylum seekers from various countries, including Central and South America, has complicated the situation, shifting the focus from primarily Mexican migrants to a broader spectrum of nationalities. Trump plans to adopt a range of deterrent measures to prevent illegal crossings, promising a return to a strictly enforcement-based approach as seen during his first term. However, historical context shows that deterrence alone often fails to solve immigration issues, as smugglers typically adapt to new restrictions over time.

Intro

4min

Navigating U.S. Immigration Policy Debates

11min

Navigating Repatriation Challenges in Immigration Policy

2min

Power Dynamics in U.S.-Canada Trade Relations

2min

The Impact of Trump's Immigration Policies

8min

Rethinking Border Security and Workforce Development

7min

Edward Alden, senior fellow at CFR and co-author of When the World Closed Its Doors: The Covid-19 Tragedy and the Future of Borders, sits down with James M. Lindsay to discuss Trump's proposed immigration policies and their likely effects on the economy. This episode is the ninth and final episode in a special TPI series on the U.S. 2025 presidential transition and is supported by the Carnegie Corporation of New York.

Enter the CFR book giveaway by January 28, 2025, for the chance to win one of ten free copies of When the World Closed Its Doors by Edward Alden and Laurie Trautman. You can read the terms and conditions of the offer here.

Mentioned on the Episode

Edward Alden, The Closing of the American Border: Terrorism, Immigration, and Security Since 9/11

Edward Alden and Laurie Trautman, When the World Closed Its Doors: The COVID-19 Tragedy and the Future of Borders

Alessandro Caiumi and Giovanni Peri, "Immigration's Effect on US Wages and Employment Redux," National Bureau of Economic Research

Council on Foreign Relations, The Work Ahead: Machines, Skills, and U.S. Leadership in the Twenty-First Century

Robert O. Keohane and Joseph S. Nye, Power and Interdependence: World Politics in Transition

Anna Maria Mayda, Francesc Ortega, Giovanni Peri, Kevin Shih and Chad Sparber, "The Effect of the H-1B Quota on Employment and Selection of Foreign-Born Labor," National Bureau of Economic Research

For an episode transcript and show notes, visit The President’s Inbox at: https://www.cfr.org/podcasts/tpi/trumps-immigration-policy-edward-alden-transition-2025-episode-9