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Immigration is one of the fundamental building blocks that helpmake America the unique nation that it is.

But the debate over border security and immigration has becometoxic because politicians have put politics before principles. And reasonableAmericans find themselves trapped between zealots on both sides.

For over two centuries, the United States has welcomed millions of people from every corner of the globe. And today, we lawfully admit over 1 million people every year. That is more than any other country in the world.

The debate is not about whether we should allow immigrationits about how we do so in a way that protects American sovereignty, respects the rule of law, and is beneficial to all Americans.

So what does a thoughtful agenda for American immigration reformlook like?

Here are four guiding principles:

1. We must respect the consent of the governedthat is, the will of the people.

Individuals who are not citizens do not have a right to American citizenship without the consent of the American people. That consent is expressed through the laws of the United States.

Through those laws, we the people invite individuals from othercountries, under certain conditions, to join us as residents and fellowcitizens.

2. We cannot compromise national security and public safety.

Every nation has the right, recognized by both international anddomestic law, to secure its borders and ports of entry and control what and whois coming into its country.

A disorganized and chaotic immigration system encourages peopleto go around the law and is a clear invitation to those who wish to takeadvantage of our openness to harm the nation.

Secure borders, especially in a time of terrorist threat, arecrucial to American national security.

3. Becoming a citizen means becoming an American. We must preserve patriotic assimilation.

The founding principles of this nation imply that an individual of any ethnic heritage or racial background can become an American. Thats why we have always welcomed immigrants seeking the promises and opportunities of the American dream.

Patriotic assimilation is the bond that allows America to be anation of immigrants. Without it, we cease to be a country with a distinctcharacter, becoming instead a hodgepodge of different groups.

If we are to be a united nation, living up to our motto of e pluribus unumout of many, onewe all must understand and embrace a common language, history, and civic culture.

And that not only benefits America, but also those immigrants andtheir families who aspire to prosper here.

4. Our lawmakers must respect the rule of law, and immigration is no exception.

Failure to enforce our immigration laws is unfair to those whoobey the law and follow the rules to enter the country legally.

Those who enter and remain in the country illegally should notbe rewarded with legal status or other benefits. When politicians condone suchbehavior they only encourage further illegal conduct.

Based on these principles, immigration reform should include transitioning to a merit-based system. We should end practices like chain migration, birthright citizenship, the visa lottery, arbitrary per-country immigration caps, and any form of amnesty for those here illegally.

We must close loopholes that prevent enforcement of our laws andhave overwhelmed immigration courts, allowing illegitimate asylum claimants andother lawbreakers to remain in the U.S. indefinitely.

And we must take on these issues one by one. A comprehensive deal subjects the fate of policies with universal appeal to the fate of the most controversial topics. The key is to begin by working on the solutions on which most Americans agree.

We must and can address this issue in a manner that is fair, responsible, humane, and prudent. This is too important an issue to not get right and too important an issue to be driven by partisan agendas.

Lets stay focused on what is best for the welfare of all Americans, both those of today and those of the future.

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4 Keys to the Immigration Reform We Need

Howard Schultz, opinion contributor Published 11:55 a.m. MT April 29, 2019

Republican members of Congress visit the Yuma border area with U.S. Rep. Andy Biggs, R-Ariz. Ronald J. Hansen, The Republic | azcentral.com

Opinion: It is time to reframe the immigration debate and recognize the ways immigration benefits our nations economy, the former Starbucks CEO says.

While stopping in Arizona, I heard from local law enforcement officials, business ownersand residents who shined a light on the national security and human implications of our border crisis and broken immigration system.

Looking at the issue through the eyes of those who live these issues every day reinforced that there are practical, realistic ways to secure our border while recognizing the value immigrants contribute to our economy and communities.

For decades, Washington has failed to enact common-sense immigration reform even though huge majorities of Americans are demanding it. Politicians talk about immigration as a left or a right issue, but as I sat with people in these communities, it was clear they do not view their problems through a partisan lens.

The Arizonans I met simply want political leaders to pass sensible, humane immigration reforms.

I agree with those who say that Americas southern border remains insecure. Our visa system has grown outdated and is insufficient for our countrys security and economic needs. In addition, we must begin to deploy advanced technology to bolster security on the border, enhance our existing border fence and add additional border patrol agents where needed.

I agree with those who say that Americas southern border remains insecure. Our visa system has grown outdated and is insufficient for our countrys security and economic needs.

But Washingtons insistence on weaponizing immigration does nothing to make our country safer or more prosperous. Instead, it unleashes uncertainty and economic disruption that adversely affect communities and economies across the country.

In 2018, Arizonas cross-border trade with Mexico totaled $16.7 billion. But the benefits of our trade with Mexico extend far beyond border states: Mexico is Americas third-largest trading partner with $612 billion in total trade per year, or $1.7 billion per day.

We should be encouraging, not discouraging, trade between our two dynamic economies.

For states like Arizona, the border and the legal immigrants who cross it represent economic growth and opportunity. Our leaders inability to enact common-sense immigration reforms is also disrupting once-thriving border communities that depend on cross-border trade.

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In Nogales, between 2007 and 2017, 24 businesses in downtown closed as customers from Mexico stopped shopping. The population in Nogales also declined by 4 percent from 2010 to 2017, as people moved away, no longer able to make a living.

American communities that depend on sensible immigration policies are suffering the consequences of todays negligent leadership on this issue.

Attitudes of those who live and work near the border and their desire for a solution seem to be lost in politicians discourse about immigration. Arizonans want a secure border, and they also support legal pathways to citizenship for the many hardworking immigrants they call neighbors, business partners, customersand friends.

Similarly, Americans overwhelmingly support a path to citizenship for the "dreamers" who contribute to our economy and know only this country as their home.

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It is time to reframe the immigration debate and recognize the ways immigration benefits our nations economy. Immigrants are job creators: They are twice as likely as native-born Americans to start a business, and 43 percent of Fortune 500 companies are led by first- or second-generation immigrants.

Americas labor force also relies on immigrants: According to the Pew Research Center, without immigrants and their children, the U.S. workforce will decline over the next two decades.

Immigrants fill important jobs that a number of sectors are looking to fill. Today, the U.S. faces critical worker shortages in industries as diverse as technology, farming and construction. Reforming our visa processes would enable law-abiding, skilled immigrants to come here and contribute to our economy.

The only things stopping us from passing legislation that keeps America safe while preventing unwanted crossings and illegal cross-border activity are political will and moral leadership.

As Americans, we have long been a shining example of how to pool diverse ideas and people in ways that expand access to life, liberty, and happiness. It is time for practical, humane immigration policies that secure our border, encourage free trade, stimulate local and domestic economies and welcome hardworking people who have something to contribute to America.

Howard Schultz is the former chairman and chief executive officer of Starbucks.He recently announced that he is considering running for president as a centrist independent outside of the two-party system.

Read or Share this story: https://www.azcentral.com/story/opinion/op-ed/2019/04/29/howard-schultz-immigration-reform-inaction-hurts-arizona-economy/3617929002/

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Inaction on immigration reform is hurting Arizona's ...

For those who watched the talk I did with Paul Smalera, some of this will be redundant. Paul asked me why we haven't gotten all of these "no brainer" immigration reform proposals like the startup visa (funded entrepreneurs get to stay in the US and build their companies here), or the STEM visa (graduate degrees in STEM come stapled with a visa), or an end to kicking undergrads out after they graduate.

The answer is that there has been a long standing debate in the US about "comprehensive immigration reform" which involves putting many of the immigrants who are already here on some sort of path to citizenship in return for a committment to strengthening our borders so we get less illegal immigration.

And all of these really great ideas about piecemeal immigration reform that both sides support have been hostage to the big idea of comprehensive reform. If the elected officials give industry the things they want like more H1B visas, STEM visas, startup visas, etc, then they lose our collective pressure on the immigration issue. And they need our collective pressure (and money) to get this done.

Last week, the "gang of eight" introduced a comprehensive immigration reform bill. It is now making its way through hearings and such and will eventually face a vote in Congress. This bill includes all of these piecemeal proposals we have been advocating for in the startup and tech community for years:

So if you want to see all of these good and important changes to the immigration laws in the US, you have to get behind comprehensive immigration reform. That's the way the deck is stacked in this debate. It took me a long time to understand that and although it is illogical, it is the way it is.

There are many opponents to the comprehensive immigration reform bill out there. And they will use anything, including things like what happened in Boston last week, to kill it. We need everyone in the tech industry and the world of startups to get behind this bill. Not only because it addresses pretty much every request we have made on immigration but also because the US is a land of opportunity and diversity and it is our greatest strength that we allow good people to come here and build a life, a career, a family, and a company.

I hope all of you will support comprehensive immigration refrom loudly and vigorously. We will need it. If you want to do something right now, go here or here and get involved.

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Immigration Reform AVC

Democrats believe immigration is not just a problem to be solved, it is a defining aspect of the American character and our shared history.

-Democratic Party Platform

Democrats are fighting for every immigrant who feels threatened by Donald Trumps election. We will not stand by and watch families be torn apart Democrats in Congress and in states and cities across the country are already standing up to Trumps hatred and bigotry to defend their immigrant neighbors.

Thanks to President Obama, hundreds of thousands of DREAMers have been able to receive a temporary status that allows them to study, work, pay taxes, and contribute to the communities they grew up in. His administration has made a tremendous difference by prioritizing immigration enforcement so that it is focused on those with criminal records and doesnt arbitrarily separate families, and Democrats are fighting to protect that progress.

Democrats will continue to work toward comprehensive immigration reform that fixes our nations broken immigration system, improves border security, prioritizes enforcement so we are targeting criminals not families, keeps families together, and strengthens our economy.

Democrats know the importance of our countrys history as a nation of immigrants. We honor our fundamental values by treating all people who come to the United States with dignity and respect, and we always seek to embrace not to to attack immigrants.

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Immigration Reform - Democrats

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Immigrants are viewed from both positive and negative perspectives in the world. Various governments institute mechanisms to ensure individuals and groups of people crossing borders are legal, and that their input into the economic, political and social standing is not adverse. The United States is one such country. The U.S leadership is currently engaged in major attempts to institute immigration reforms, attempts that have received support and opposition in equal measure, from various quarters. This paper evaluates the impact of immigration reforms and establishes that such reforms would be counterproductive in the long-run.

Immigrants are said to be one of the key elements in the history and economy of the United States. The U.S was built, to a large extent, by immigrants who provided free labor during the pre-independence period. Former President Barack Obama often recognized the role of immigrants in the development and well-being of the American nation. He even blocked attempts to reform immigration laws targeting people who illegally came to the U.S as children. President Donald Trump, on his part, campaigned on, among other aspects, the promise that illegal immigrants were adversely affecting the well-being of citizens and that he would ensure such individuals were deported.

One of the main points of opposition is the fact that some illegal immigrants came to the U.S as children and are now adults, while others were born in the U.S to illegal immigrants. When President Trump insists on deporting such people, where would they go? Such people have known America to be their home hence forcefully evicting them would amount to inhuman treatment and is a violation of their rights.

Illegal immigrants are accused of taking low-paying jobs hence they indirectly put thousands of citizens at risk of becoming unemployed as employers prefer to spend less on employee wages. In addition, some immigrants have rightfully been accused of increasing the amount of insecurity and perpetuating terrorism. Immigrants of Islamic origin have particularly been accused in that regard. However, such claims could be unfounded and can be considered to be a blanket accusation of all immigrants of Islamic faith based on their religion. Some terrorist activities have been linked to white Americans, an example being Californian-born John Walker Lindh who was found fighting beside Al-Qaeda militants in Afghanistan in 2001. From this perspective, it is unnecessary to institute immigration reforms that tighten innocent immigrants desire to seek greener pastures in the U.S. Furthermore, over one-third of the Catholics in the U.S. are of Latino origin. Pentecostal churches also have significant Latino following. Given the significance of the Catholic Church in the U.S, attempts to implement reforms that adversely affect such immigrants could have far-reaching religious, political and possibly, legal consequences.

One of President Trumps defining immigration reform agenda is the establishment of a wall on the U.S-Mexico border, to keep illegal immigrants out. While this could help to prevent illegal immigrants from accessing the U.S, a wall has never been a solution to most of the worlds immigration problems. The Berlin Wall in the Cold War era, for instance, was more counterproductive than earlier thought. Allocation of funds towards the construction of such walls would be a step towards isolation rather than development. Immigrants bring about some positivity as well, including skills and experience needed in a range of American industries. Immigrants are not just harmful, undeserving individuals- their affirmative contributions should be noted as well.

In conclusion, the proposed immigration reform might have short-term benefits, ranging from implementation of America First policy and Getting Americans Back to Work but such reforms could have adverse long-term consequences. Human rights and needs should be considered and the positives associated with immigrants need to be evaluated before the current government makes a decision on evicting or locking out anyone.

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Immigration Reform, Essay Sample