Cato Daily Podcast
Making Legal Immigration More Difficult Is Part of the Trump Agenda
Jan 27, 2025
David Bier, the Immigration Studies Director at the Cato Institute, delves into the surprising implications of the Trump administration's immigration policies. He discusses how rhetoric surrounding illegal immigration often overshadows significant reductions in legal immigration. Bier highlights the economic consequences of these restrictions, the necessity to retain talented individuals, and the potential changes to birthright citizenship. He challenges the notion that legal pathways are straightforward, revealing the complexities that impact families and the economy.
24:00
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Quick takeaways
- The Trump administration's strategy includes significant reductions in legal immigration, which could impact the economy more than illegal immigration concerns.
- Proposals to eliminate birthright citizenship raise profound constitutional issues, potentially affecting many individuals' citizenship status in the U.S.
Deep dives
Impact of Immigration Policies on Legal Immigration
The Trump administration is focusing on reducing legal immigration as part of its broader immigration policy agenda. Despite significant concerns about illegal immigration, analysis shows that the number of legal immigrants far exceeds that of illegal immigrants, with over a million visas issued monthly compared to about 50,000 border arrests. This suggests that even modest cuts to legal immigration could have a more substantial impact than significant cuts to illegal immigration. Historical data indicates that legal immigration declined sharply during the previous Trump administration, with immigrant visas for new permanent residents dropping by 80% from 2016 to the end of 2020.
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