The Trump administration's handling of immigration has set a concerning precedent, prioritizing enforcement over fairness and due process. The key to effective leadership is providing examples of good governance, which this administration sorely lacks.
Under the guise of "law and order," the Trump administration has abandoned its commitment to treating individuals fairly under the law. Instead, it relies on racial profiling, collective punishment, and an abuse of power that amounts to a form of lawlessness. This approach not only erodes America's moral authority but also drives away international talent, making it harder for the country to remain competitive in a globalized world.
The latest example of this failed policy is the USCIS decision to reduce the validity of Employment Authorization Documents (EADs). Asylees and others are now forced to undergo more frequent vetting, which can lead to their removal if deemed a threat to "public safety" or "American values." This move is nothing short of institutionalized xenophobia.
The administration's efforts to "pause" immigration from certain countries have also had significant consequences. The recent shooting in Washington D.C. was used as a pretext for halting all Afghan immigration applications, freezing asylum decisions nationwide, and ordering a review of green cards and benefits for nationals from 19 "countries of concern." While the language appears technical on paper, it functions as a demographic filter that unfairly biases the system against millions who have done nothing wrong.
The new rules also target asylum seekers with increased security checks, even after being approved. This collective punishment approach is not only morally reprehensible but also carries significant economic costs. International student enrollment at U.S. universities has plummeted, and reports estimate a $1.1 billion loss and nearly 23,000 jobs lost due to the decline.
In contrast, the labor market is witnessing an expansion of temporary guest-worker visas in agriculture and other sectors. However, long-term workers face increasingly difficult barriers to obtaining or maintaining permanent status. This contradiction highlights the administration's slow-motion approach to losing its competitive edge.
The government's expanding detention system also poses significant concerns. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has nearly three-quarters of its detainees with no criminal convictions, demonstrating how this machinery influences foreign policy.
Ultimately, there is an ethical collapse in America's immigration policies. The country's claim to leadership relied on a simple idea: treating individuals fairly under the law and welcoming talent from anywhere as long as they played by the rules. Today, that message has become distorted, prioritizing enforcement over fairness and due process.
The example set by the leaders in the White House is concerning, with people treated like inventory rather than individuals deserving of respect. Better leadership and a respect for ethics are what America needs again, particularly in the area of immigration.
Under the guise of "law and order," the Trump administration has abandoned its commitment to treating individuals fairly under the law. Instead, it relies on racial profiling, collective punishment, and an abuse of power that amounts to a form of lawlessness. This approach not only erodes America's moral authority but also drives away international talent, making it harder for the country to remain competitive in a globalized world.
The latest example of this failed policy is the USCIS decision to reduce the validity of Employment Authorization Documents (EADs). Asylees and others are now forced to undergo more frequent vetting, which can lead to their removal if deemed a threat to "public safety" or "American values." This move is nothing short of institutionalized xenophobia.
The administration's efforts to "pause" immigration from certain countries have also had significant consequences. The recent shooting in Washington D.C. was used as a pretext for halting all Afghan immigration applications, freezing asylum decisions nationwide, and ordering a review of green cards and benefits for nationals from 19 "countries of concern." While the language appears technical on paper, it functions as a demographic filter that unfairly biases the system against millions who have done nothing wrong.
The new rules also target asylum seekers with increased security checks, even after being approved. This collective punishment approach is not only morally reprehensible but also carries significant economic costs. International student enrollment at U.S. universities has plummeted, and reports estimate a $1.1 billion loss and nearly 23,000 jobs lost due to the decline.
In contrast, the labor market is witnessing an expansion of temporary guest-worker visas in agriculture and other sectors. However, long-term workers face increasingly difficult barriers to obtaining or maintaining permanent status. This contradiction highlights the administration's slow-motion approach to losing its competitive edge.
The government's expanding detention system also poses significant concerns. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has nearly three-quarters of its detainees with no criminal convictions, demonstrating how this machinery influences foreign policy.
Ultimately, there is an ethical collapse in America's immigration policies. The country's claim to leadership relied on a simple idea: treating individuals fairly under the law and welcoming talent from anywhere as long as they played by the rules. Today, that message has become distorted, prioritizing enforcement over fairness and due process.
The example set by the leaders in the White House is concerning, with people treated like inventory rather than individuals deserving of respect. Better leadership and a respect for ethics are what America needs again, particularly in the area of immigration.