Research Paper

Impact of U.S. Immigration Policies on National Security and Public Perception Student's Name Institution Course Code: Course Name Professor's Name Submission Date Introduction Background of the Study Immigration has been a contentious public policy matter at different times in the United States (U.S.) history and has now become a significant concern for the public. There is a reduction in legal immigration, both short- and long-term, due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the restrictive policies (Batalova, 2024). There are between 10.5 million and 12 million “illegal immigrants” estimated to be in the country, making up an average of 3.4 percent of the U.S. population (Kamarck & Stenglein, 2019). These unauthorized immigrants have used deceit and dishonest approaches to cross the U.S. borders. Illegal immigrants are motivated by the need to overcome ethnic barriers and assimilate into American society while realizing their dreams and using the opportunities the nation presents. Historically, the idea that the U.S. is a "country of immigrants" has informed these ideas. Most immigration stories about Americans focus on how people came to the country for economic opportunities, to flee injustice or persecution back home, or to provide a better future for their children. Over the years, Americans have generally been seen as a nation that welcomes diverse cultures and provides an abundance of opportunities. Prior to 1880, Europe was the primary destination for immigration to the U.S. (Yale et al., 2020). According to Bolter (2022), immigration into America was spurred on by political and religious persecution, failed agriculture, the expansion of the “American West, and the American Industrial Revolution.” The number of people brought into slavery from Africa and the Caribbean increased significantly in the eighteenth century, but it began to decline sharply after 1810 and finally stopped in 1861. Following the 1848 finding of gold in California, there was a notable wave of Chinese immigration (Baker, 2020). However, given the current state of migration, which includes legal and illegal movements, policymakers must balance the values of opportunity and liberty and the practical need for law enforcement and security. Enforcing immigration laws has wide-ranging implications that impact prospective immigrants and natives within the nation's borders. Statement of the Problem There has been a surge of immigration into the U.S. recently. The dual goals of U.S. immigration policy, allowing immigrants to make substantial economic contributions to the nation and facilitating family reunions, as well as providing humanitarian protections and fostering diversity, make the policy increasingly complex and multifaceted. Immigration policies, especially those targeting undocumented immigrants, are often seen as vital to national security. These policies may make immigrants and the broader public uncomfortable and alienated. Political discourse is polarizing, making it unclear how immigration policy will affect public opinion and national security (Wright & Levy, 2019). Strict immigration laws are suggested in order to protect national security. On the other hand, these policies are criticized for fostering xenophobia and undermining the principles of diversity and inclusion that the U.S. prides itself on. Research Questions The key questions are: 1 What are the societal and economic consequences of illegal immigration? 2 What rules govern immigration in America? 3 How have US immigration laws evolved over the past century? 4 Which primary factors led to those modifications? Aim and Objectives of the Study Aim This study examines the effects of the U.S. immigration policy, such as border safety precautions and the treatment of illegal immigrants, on national security measures and their impact on public opinion. Objectives of the Study 1 To analyze the chronological development of immigration policies in the U.S. 2 To assess the present condition of immigration policy in the U.S. and their execution. 3 To evaluate the influence of immigration policies on the nation's overall security. 4 To assess the influence of immigration laws on public sentiment and societal cohesion. Scope and Limitations of the Study The laws about immigration in the U.S. that were put in place after the second half of the twentieth century are the subject of this study. To do this, the laws, the ways they are being enforced, and the general public's views on immigration must all be carefully looked at. Secondary sources, like academic journals, official documents, and media commentary, will be used extensively in the study. This study's main flaw is that it relies on external sources, which might not always give the “complete” details on immigration policy and its effects. The study only looked at American immigration laws, so it might not be helpful for other countries with different migrant problems and legal systems. Literature Review Evolution of U.S. Immigration Policies For generations, the U.S. has offered many people the freedom and opportunity to achieve success and prosperity via initiative, determination, and hard work. The country's social and economic vitality has, for an extended timescale, depended on immigrants’ contributions. Immigrants have traditionally helped the US grow and diversify its economy. The immigration system that grew in the 1920s was affected by a lot of different factors (Marinari, 2022). Keely (2021) and Haas et al. (2019) both reviewed how U.S. immigration policy has been used to change the factors that make people participate in politics. The “Age of Mass Migration,” which began in the mid-nineteenth century and ended in the early twentieth century, saw a sharp rise in the overall number of immigrants (Tabellini, 2019). Immigration laws, such as the Immigration Act of 1924, were enforced strictly at the beginning of the 20th century. Jasso (2021) noted that the “Emergency Quota Act of 192” laid the groundwork for the “Immigration Act of 1924,” which built upon those concepts. Arenilla (2024) emphasized policies that tried to limit immigration and deny citizenship to people who belong to particular ethnic groupings. Moreover, Houston (2022) found that entry bans, citizenship restrictions, immigration quotas, and special entry taxes were imposed in the middle of the 20th century. Current State of U.S. Immigration Policies In Favell's study (2022), advanced frameworks for comprehending immigration, integration, and citizenship were developed by a comparative analysis of reputable academic literature. Similarly, Meissner (2022) examined recent developments in U.S. immigration law, focusing on strengthening border security, particularly at the U.S.- Mexico border. There was a noticeable increase in the number of migrants and refugees from other countries, making the present migration scenario at the U.S.-Mexico border very different from prior decades. In 2020, Waslin contended that executive actions, policy advice, regulatory reforms, and pandemic response measures have significantly changed legal immigration, in contrast to Meissner's results in 2022. The Biden administration ended the Title 42 expulsion policy, which had been in place during the pandemic, in May 2023 (Slade, 2023). The immigrant rights movement's lack of a clear objective has impeded its progress and left it open to derisive criticism. According to Markowitz's research from 2021, there are many obstacles standing in the way of significant reforms in immigration enforcement. However, to accomplish such change, it is necessary first to have a clear and concise viewpoint on a new strategy for immigration enforcement. Deportations and detentions of “illegal immigrants” have increased as a result of the stricter enforcement of immigration rules, claims Markowitz (2021). This has triggered discussions about human rights and appropriate legal procedures on several occasions. Hernández (2024) took a unique look at the past of putting Latino immigrants in jail in the US. As a result of this dissatisfaction, there has been no progress on total immigration reform. As a result, many parts of the immigration system are now insufficient and outdated. Impacts on National Security and Public Perception When it comes to how US immigration laws affect national security, both sides of the argument have solid evidence. Researchers like Helbling and Meierrieks (2020) assert that Immigration rules are needed to protect the country from threats like drug trafficking, terrorism, and other types of international crime. Helbling and Meierrieks (2020) showed that immigration is becoming more dangerous. Laque et al. (2021) called attention to the 9/11 attacks as a reason for stricter screening processes for immigrants and refugees and for keeping a close eye on the borders. On the other side, Finley and Esposito (2019) asserted that immigration laws that are too strict could hurt national security by tearing apart immigrant communities, making people angry, and giving criminal groups chances to continue functioning. Finley and Esposito also contended that there are two ways to understand Trump's anti-immigrant comments: either as a rejection of the notion that patriotism should come first or as a protest against the current political correctness norms. Swanson and Bruni-Bossio (2019) indicate that legal and illegal immigrants benefit society and the economy. They argued that policies that exclude or penalize immigrants could lead to social unrest and a decline in trust among citizens in the power structure. Public opinion of immigrants and immigrati...