Biden ’s Border Policy Is Not “Open Borders”

David J. BierPractically since his first week in office, President Joe Biden has faced repeated criticisms from Republicans and someDemocrats that his border policy amounts to “open borders.” This criticism is not simply inaccurate: it isunhingedfrom reality in a way that distinguishes itself from normal political hyperbole. Indeed, U.S. immigration policy is effectivelyclosed borders, and Biden ’s immigration policies and goals are largely the same as those of President Donald Trump.Under U.S. immigration law, it is illegal for anyone in the world to travel or immigrate to the United States unless they fall into very narrow exceptions. Like Alcohol Prohibition —which had exemptions for religious, medicinal, or industrial purposes—America’s immigration prohibition’s small exceptions are irrelevant for the vast majority of potential immigrants. Effectively, if they don’t qualify as a select few high skilled workers or family members of U.S. citize ns, they can’t come legally.President Biden has not suddenly ended America ’s immigration prohibition and opened up U.S. borders to almost anyone who wants to come (as was largely America’s immigration policy from 1776 to 1924). Instead, he has far more vigorously enforced immigration prohibition than the law requires, narrowing the few exceptions to the universal ban on legal immigration.For example, one exception is for those facing persecution in their home countries. Biden has undisputed authority underthe l...
Source: Cato-at-liberty - Category: American Health Authors: Source Type: blogs