Join immigration policy analyst Alex Nowrasteh and economist Bryan Caplan as they advocate for a more open immigration system. They tackle misconceptions around the economic contributions of immigrants, dismantle the myths linking immigration to crime, and unpack the complexities of visa programs like H-1B. With insights on cultural dynamics, they argue that immigration positively enriches American society. Their candid discussion invites listeners to rethink widely held beliefs while addressing the current political landscape surrounding immigration reform.

Alex Nowrasteh, Vice President for Economic and Social Policy Studies at the Cato Institute and an immigration and trade policy expert, delves into the implications of a potential second term for Donald Trump. He discusses the notable risks and downsides associated with Trump's return to power, while also highlighting potential benefits over a Kamala Harris administration. Nowrasteh explores anticipated policy changes on immigration and healthcare, as well as the complexities of fiscal policy and entitlement reform in a future Trump administration.

The debate about immigration brings out some of the deepest anxieties and biggest disagreements in America. And right now, all of it feels like it’s coming to a head. In 2022, there were over 2.76 million illegal migrant crossings at the Southwest border. That’s roughly the population of Chicago, America’s third largest city. To address this unprecedented surge, President Biden recently announced tougher restrictions and made a show of visiting the border himself. But unlike a decade or two ago, when the immigration debate was mostly about economics, today it’s an issue that’s subsumed by the culture wars and our polarized discourse. Republican governors bus migrants to sanctuary cities and they’re called “xenophobic” and “cruel” by the left. But what happens when a Democratic governor does much the same thing, bussing migrants from Colorado to New York City and Chicago? Is it still a heartless political stunt? Or is all of this just an inevitable consequence of our broken immigration system? So today: a debate moderated by guest host Kmele Foster between Alex Nowrasteh and Jessica Vaughan. Are current levels of immigration helping or hurting America? How do we balance humanitarian concerns with America’s economic and security needs? Should we be trying to enforce more or less restrictions at the border? And what exactly should we do to fix our immigration policies?Alex is the director of Economic and Social Policy Studies at the Cato Institute, a libertarian think tank. Jessica is the director of Policy Studies for the Center for Immigration Studies, a think tank that describes themselves as “pro-immigrant but low immigration.”While Alex and Jessica couldn’t be more opposite in their approach – Alex favors free immigration, while Jessica argues for restrictionist policies – today on Honestly we look for common ground, debate the facts, and search for solutions Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A discussion on the surge of illegal crossings at the US-Mexico border, the impact of chaos perception, building a less chaotic immigration system. Exploring complexities of immigration chaos, discussing political implications, factors influencing the increase in border apprehensions, challenges faced by Venezuelans in immigration, contradictory views on immigration and patriotism, contrasting perspectives on immigration policies, the divide within the libertarian movement, and navigating immigration policies.

Alex Nowrasteh, Vice President for Economic and Social Policy Studies at the Cato Institute, dives into the surprising stats on immigrant welfare usage. In 2022, immigrants accessed 21% less welfare per capita than U.S.-born citizens. He discusses how strict eligibility criteria and the drive for opportunity shape this trend. Illegal immigrants contribute significantly to Social Security without drawing benefits, showcasing their economic impact. The conversation also urges a rethink of welfare policies for non-citizens, highlighting their role in alleviating social costs.