A Plan for Fixing the Broken American Immigration System We need a fresh approach that aligns with market demands while upholding the principles of human dignity. By Wahab to fix the broken american migration system ChatGPT said: ChatGPT My article on the issue of American immigration has been published in Stars and Stripes. In it, I highlight the delay affecting 40,000 Afghan migrants whose cases were approved, yet their flights were postponed for three months. The article explores solutions to fix the broken U.S. immigration system.
I live in a well-to-do middle-class neighborhood in Foothill
Ranch, California. During my daily walk to the nearby public park, I pass a man
tending to the landscape. Upon seeing me, he shuts off his noisy lawnmower, and
we exchange smiles. I greet him with Buen día
and he kindly reciprocates. A few steps further, I notice a
sign that reads "Caution Construction in Progress." Nearby, a couple
in safety gear is repairing the sidewalk. They pause their work until I pass
safely. They speak Spanish, a language I don’t understand.
Later, I return home and meet José, my landscaper. He brings
along his teenage son to translate for us as we discuss how to set the
sprinkler timer. On Saturdays, the trash truck arrives, and workers—who also
converse in Spanish—collect the garbage. At the McDonald’s in our local
shopping mall, many employees speak Spanish among themselves. Each encounter
reminds me of my own journey as a newly arrived immigrant, and I feel a
profound connection with them.
In the early 1980s, I left my native Afghanistan in the wake
of the Soviet invasion. At the time, I held a law degree and was working as a
public prosecutor. Newly married and with an infant daughter, we applied for
refugee status. Our application was processed swiftly and approved in less than
a year. With the assistance of a Catholic church, we were able to settle in St.
Louis, Missouri. I started my journey with a variety of odd jobs, beginning as
a dishwasher in a retirement home and working as a parking lot attendant,
driving tractor-trailers served as a translator with the U.S. Army in
Afghanistan for 12 year
But those days are long gone. Today, coming to America is
far more challenging. Conflicts around the world have displaced millions, and
the lines at the U.S.-Mexico border grow longer as many attempt to enter
illegally. Americans are increasingly frustrated with the rising influx of
immigrants and are calling for stricter border controls.
Donald Trump demonstrated his commitment to his rhetoric by
deploying the military to the U.S.-Mexico border in an effort to curb the
influx of migrants, which he controversially referred to as an
"invasion." In November 2018, Trump stated:
"Illegal immigration affects the lives of all Americans. Illegal
immigration hurts American workers, burdens American taxpayers, undermines
public safety, and places enormous strain on local schools, hospitals, and
communities in general, taking precious resources away from the poorest
Americans who need them most. Illegal immigration costs our country billions
and billions of dollars each year."
Six years later, during the Biden administration, public
discontent over the federal government’s handling of immigration intensified.
Over the past four years, approximately eight million people have settled in
the United States, many of them unlawfully. This has led to a growing
perception of a crisis at the border.
There is no doubt that Americans are right to be concerned
about the safety and security of their borders. However, the critical question
remains: can the militarization of borders truly solve the U.S. immigration
problem?
While securing the border is indeed a government obligation,
deploying the military as a solution is not a sustainable approach. It often
appears more like a political maneuver aimed at domestic audiences than a
substantive policy designed to address root causes or offer long-term
solutions. As Amy Pope, Director General of the UN International Organization
for Migration, noted in Foreign Affairs Magazine writes "The
fact that the phenomenon is so global also points to the problem
with policy responses that aim to crack down on particular borders or in
individual countries: today’s unprecedented levels of migration make plain that
a decrepit, outdated system, built in the wake of World War II, is incapable of
contending with today’s humanitarian needs, demographic trends, or labor market
demands."
Relying solely on repelling people at the border is
insufficient. Instead, the focus should shift toward reforming immigration
policies, addressing the global factors driving migration, and creating systems
that balance humanitarian needs with national security. Only then can a lasting
and effective solution be achieved.
America needs immigrants. Statistics and research consistently show that the
U.S. benefits greatly from immigration. Immigrants have long
served as America’s rocket fuel, powering the nation’s unmatched economic
and cultural achievements. Nobel Prizes have been awarded to 142 immigrants to
the United States. Nearly half of the companies in the Fortune 500 were founded
by immigrants or their children. Blue jeans, Tesla, basketball, and even the
beloved anthem "God Bless America" are the work of immigrants.
The U.S. economy—and its global leadership—is at risk due to
a declining population. Since its inception, the U.S. has relied on population
growth to sustain economic momentum. However, recent data reveals a concerning
trend. The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) has
revised its 30-year U.S. population projection to 372 million residents, a
2.8% decrease from last year’s estimate. This decline is attributed to falling
birth rates and lower anticipated immigration levels.
But there is hope for a win-win situation.
The United States can draw valuable lessons from global practices. For example,
since 2021, India has
signed bilateral migration deals with countries like Australia, Germany,
and the UK. These agreements create legal immigration channels, aligning visa
quotas with workforce needs in high-demand sectors. Similarly, Italy has
adjusted immigration policies to admit over 450,000 foreign workers in response
to labor shortages.
No one argues against deporting those who commit crimes.
However, the mass deportation of millions of undocumented immigrants already in
the U.S. is neither practical nor humane. At the same time, the suspension of
flights for 40,000 Afghans approved for U.S. visas highlights another glaring
issue: America’s inability to honor commitments to allies.
To truly fix the broken system, the U.S. must adopt a
strategy that recognizes immigration as an opportunity, not a threat. This
means reforming outdated laws, addressing labor market needs, and appointing
expert commissions to craft sustainable policies. Simply deploying the military
or building walls is no longer viable.
As I reflect on the faces of immigrants in my neighborhood,
I can’t help but wonder: Who will manicure our lawns, harvest our vegetables,
and rebuild after disasters? These are not trivial concerns but fundamental
questions for America’s future.
So, Mr. President, do you have a plan?
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