Julia Gelatt, Associate Director of the U.S. Immigration Policy Program at the Migration Policy Institute, tackles pressing immigration issues. She breaks down the implications of sealing the border and the myths surrounding current policies. Gelatt explains the intricate dynamics of asylum processes and the unique challenges faced by refugees versus asylum seekers. She also discusses the labor market's reliance on immigration and critiques restrictive policies affecting skilled workers. Lastly, she explores controversial changes to birthright citizenship and their long-term effects on immigrant families.
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Refugee Resettlement
Nine resettlement organizations, some religiously affiliated, help refugees with initial resettlement needs.
Asylum seekers may access some services, but many are self-sufficient and unaware of available support.
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NYC Migrant Influx
New York City's migrant influx reveals failures in slow asylum processing and lack of efficient distribution systems.
Faster decisions and resettlement support, along with diverting migrants to other areas, could benefit everyone.
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Immigrant Benefits
Unauthorized immigrants are ineligible for most federal benefits, with some exceptions like disaster aid.
Legal permanent immigrants face a five-year bar, then gain similar eligibility to citizens, with state variations.
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Among Trump's Day 1 executive orders is one called Securing Our Borders, which promises to build the wall, detain and deport immigrants who violate federal or state law, prosecute illegal border crossers, and obtain "complete operational control" of the border. He also declared a state of emergency and ordered the military to "seal the border" and repel an "invasion." Perhaps most controversial of all, another order claims to end birthright citizenship.
The crackdown is already in full swing, with NBC News reporting a single-day record 1,179 immigration arrests this past Sunday. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem posted picturesof herself overseeing a series of arrests in New York on Tuesday.
Today's guest is going to help us understand the myths and realities of the immigration system and offer some suggestions about what pragmatic steps could be taken to reform an immigration system that people on all sides have come to believe just isn't working.
Julia Gelatt is associate director of the U.S. Immigration Policy Program at the Migration Policy Institute, where she studies the legalities of the immigration system, demographic trends, and the interactions between local, state, and federal immigration policy.
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