D-Squared Considers U.S. Immigration Policy

Invariably described as "broken," the U.S. immigration system has produced levels of illegal immigration that helped Donald Trump's election in 2016 and threatens to unseat the Biden Administration in 2024. Everyone acknowledges this problem, yet attempts to solve it are often still-born. Let's talk about it: the historical context, the costs and benefits of immigration, how many and who should be allowed in, the asylum conundrum, DACA, the complicated politics of immigration (especially for Democrats), and possible solutions. While we may not reach agreement, hopefully we can arrive at a deeper understanding of this critical and complex public policy issue.

D-Squared (Discussion and Debate) is a bi-monthly online gathering sponsored by HumanistsMN and hosted by Jerry Smith. To promote a thoughtful, informed discussion, we recommend that participants read some or all of the following in preparing for the event:

David Leonhardt's recent article in The Atlantic is a comprehensive discussion that includes a legislative history dating back to the 1960s. More recent history can be found in this piece by the the Council on Foreign Relations. A New York Times editorial addresses the current state-of-the-problem. The need for immigrant farm workers is dramatized in this HuffPost piece. Bier's NYT article compares the Trump and Biden Administration's approaches to the problem; another NYT piece explains how Democrats are divided on this issue. This NYT editorial endorses a recent legislative proposal having bipartisan support. The Cato Institute has published a comprehensive set of proposals that would substantially reform our immigration system.

This event is sponsored by HumanistsMN. If you are not yet a member, please consider joining to help us cover our costs and build the humanist movement. Not ready to join? Donations are gratefully accepted! Join or donate at https://humanistsmn.org/