Carter Was Right, Part II: Immigration Policy

His suggested approaches were even-handed, prudent and sound.

On August 04, 1977 – fully forty-five years ago now – President Carter sent to Congress a lengthy message on what he termed “illegal aliens.”

Some observers might conclude that Carter’s suggested approaches were, for the most part, even-handed, prudent and sound.

An excerpt:

I have concluded that an adjustment of status is necessary to avoid having a permanent "underclass" of millions of persons who have not been and cannot practicably be deported, and who would continue living here in perpetual fear of immigration authorities, the local police, employers and neighbors. Their entire existence would continue to be predicated on staying outside the reach of government authorities and the law's protections.

Among Carter’s several policy proposals:

• Adjust the immigration status of undocumented aliens who have resided in the U.S. continuously from before January 1, 1970 to the present and who apply with the Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) for permanent resident alien status; create a new immigration category of temporary resident alien for undocumented aliens who have resided in the U.S. continuously prior to January 1, 1977; make no status change and enforce the immigration law against those undocumented aliens entering the U.S. after January 1, 1977.

Carter’s suggestions never came to pass. Immigration policy has, of course, remained a Gordian knot for decades.

What do you think?

Source: https://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/documents/undocumented-aliens-message-the-congress

Gordian knot: https://www.history.com/news/what-was-the-gordian-knot