Week of February 15–21, 2024

Lawyers for the Biden administration and Texas debated the implementation of Senate Bill 4 in a federal court in Austin. The new state law, set to take effect in March, allows police to arrest those suspected of illegally crossing the Texas-Mexico border. The law imposes penalties, including jail time, for illegal border crossings and requires judges to order migrants' return to Mexico upon conviction. The Biden administration, backed by nonprofit organizations, argues that only the federal government can enforce immigration laws, while Texas contends that it has a constitutional right to defend itself against criminal organizations involved in human and drug smuggling. The court hearing raised concerns about potential racial profiling, violation of federal asylum processes, and impacts on diplomatic relations with Mexico. The judge is expected to make a decision before the law's scheduled enactment.

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The article discusses the historical context and current challenges of the U.S. immigration system, particularly regarding green card applications. It highlights a backlog of 34.7 million pending green card applications, attributing this to restrictive immigration policies since the 1920s. The paper emphasizes that only about 3 percent of applicants will receive green cards in 2024 due to low annual caps and processing delays. It suggests that addressing this backlog could unleash economic potential, mitigate demographic decline, and reduce illegal immigration. The author proposes increasing legal immigration and approving existing applicants as solutions, arguing that the U.S. can assimilate a larger immigrant population. The article concludes by urging Congress to act promptly to reform immigration policies for long-term sustainability and economic growth.

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U.S. Representatives Pramila Jayapal and Melanie Stansbury, along with 50 colleagues, are urging Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas to enhance transparency regarding immigration detention centers that Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) recommended for closure. Despite ICE's 2022 memo proposing the closure of nine facilities due to cost and safety issues, six continue operating, some managed by for-profit detention companies. The representatives claim these facilities receive excessive payments from DHS, provide substandard care, and could save taxpayers up to $235 million if closed. They specifically inquire about the finalized memorandum, actions taken on each facility, and the removal of Torrance County Detention Facility from the draft memo despite documented issues. The letter was endorsed by organizations such as Detention Watch Network, National Immigrant Justice Center, National Immigration Project, and Physicians for Human Rights.

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Democrats are altering their approach to immigration, shifting towards tougher border security policies to appeal to voters. Joe Biden, who previously criticized Trump's policies, supported a Senate proposal for daily border crossing limits, blaming Republicans for its failure. Democrats aim to emphasize this stance in Biden's reelection campaign, highlighting their willingness to negotiate on border security. Some Democrats, like New York's Rep. Tom Suozzi, advocate for more security while supporting citizenship paths for "Dreamers." However, Biden's pivot risks alienating immigrant supporters who helped him win in 2020. Critics argue this shift mirrors Trump's rhetoric and could backfire politically. Despite concerns, many Democrats support Biden's stance, prioritizing border security while advocating for immigration reform. In Nevada, where immigration is a key issue, Democrats like Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto aim to balance border security with comprehensive reform, addressing constituents' concerns while criticizing Republicans for obstructing solutions.

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The article argues that while the United States needs more immigrants due to a declining fertility rate, there's growing political resistance against immigration. Despite the economic benefits highlighted by the Congressional Budget Office (CBO), public opinion is increasingly against increasing immigration levels. The tension between economic necessity and political backlash is mirrored in other wealthy countries. The article also discusses the impact of immigration on housing costs, highlighting zoning restrictions as a significant factor. It compares the Canadian experience, where a surge in immigration has coincided with rising housing costs, leading to public discontent. The article concludes by suggesting that while both immigration and housing policy reforms could increase prosperity, there's often resistance to change in favor of maintaining the status quo.

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A debated immigration proposal in Arizona seeks to extend E-Verify requirements, currently applicable to employers, to certain independent contractors. The proposal, HCR2060, sponsored by House Speaker Ben Toma, aims to strengthen illegal immigration laws by imposing fines or Class 6 felony charges on those who refuse E-Verify. Toma argues the proposal closes loopholes and brings real consequences for law violations, emphasizing the potential use of fines for enforcement reimbursement. If approved by the State Legislature, the proposal would require voter approval. Critics express concerns about the economic impact on industries like restaurants, retail, and construction, already facing labor shortages, and argue that such laws lead to discrimination and a national disgrace. The proposal passed a committee vote on Feb. 19, advancing to potential legislative approval.

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Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has filed a lawsuit against Annunciation House, an NGO, seeking to revoke its registration to operate in Texas. The lawsuit alleges that Annunciation House is involved in illegal activities such as facilitating illegal entry to the U.S., harboring aliens, human smuggling, and operating a stash house. The Attorney General's office had requested access to specific records to investigate these potential violations, but Annunciation House refused to provide any documents and instead sued to prevent enforcement. The lawsuit aims to terminate Annunciation House's authorization to operate in Texas, with the court potentially appointing a receiver to liquidate its assets. Attorney General Paxton criticizes NGOs, accusing them of worsening illegal immigration amid chaos at the southern border.

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The Idaho Senate passed Senate Joint Memorial No. 102, urging federal immigration reform. The resolution criticizes Congress and the president for failing to secure the border and opposes granting amnesty to undocumented individuals in the U.S. It advocates for security measures using modern technology to prevent illegal entry and a guest worker program to address labor needs in sectors like agriculture and construction. The resolution passed 30-4, with opposition from members like Sen. Glenneda Zuiderveld, who wants stronger border closure, and Sen. Dan Foreman, who prioritizes enforcing laws against hiring undocumented workers. Despite Idaho's stable undocumented workforce of about 35,000, according to a report, the resolution emphasizes legal immigration. It now moves to the Idaho House for consideration.

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The U.S. Ministry of Truth, a conservative satire account on social media, falsely claimed that President Biden announced new tax incentives for families housing immigrants in exchange for labor. The post, shared on Twitter, alleged a 'Housing for Labor' initiative, allowing families to host migrants for tasks like cooking and cleaning. However, there is no such announcement on the IRS account, and the featured photo is unrelated to immigration, depicting Biden signing a debt ceiling agreement in June. Despite fact-checkers debunking the claim, it spread on social media without the satire disclaimer. A California politician even shared it on Instagram, wrongly asserting the legalization of "modern-day slavery," which is entirely fabricated.

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The National Immigrant Justice Center (NIJC) is urging the Biden administration to take executive actions to address immigration issues, given legislative challenges. In a 10-step plan, NIJC suggests creating a White House task force for coordinating migrant arrivals and onboarding, reallocating funds towards quick migrant processing, and dismantling immigration detention while expanding legal pathways for long-term undocumented immigrants. The proposal aims to counteract political attacks and shift the focus from enforcement to order. Advocates, including a coalition of 35 groups, emphasize the need for the administration to address long-standing immigration issues and the intersection of criminal justice and immigration enforcement. The call for executive action follows failed bipartisan reform attempts, prompting a reevaluation of Democratic priorities on immigration.

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