Rethinking U.S. Immigration Policy
This multiyear MPI initiative is generating a big-picture, evidence-driven vision of the role immigration can and should play in America’s future. Drawing from research, data analysis, and insights gained from convenings of key stakeholders across the spectrum, the Initiative is providing policy ideas and proposals—both administrative and legislative—that reflect new realities and needs for immigration to continue to be a comparative advantage for the United States as a society.
Among the key topics covered: The economic, labor market, and demographic impacts of immigration; immigration and national security; humanitarian, family-, and skills-based immigration; immigration enforcement; and immigrant integration.
Historically, across-the-aisle cooperation and consensus building have been essential for immigration policymaking and legislation to succeed. MPI is committed to re-energizing such bipartisanship in shaping and advancing feasible solutions for a system that is widely acknowledged as being broken.
Read the initiative Concept Note, Rethinking U.S. Immigration Policy: New Realities Call for New Answers.
Showing 1–10 of 17 results
Breaking the Cycle of Dysfunction at the U.S. Immigration Courts
With 3.8 million deportation cases pending as of mid-2025, the U.S. immigration courts faced a deepening crisis requiring urgent legislative and administrative reform.
A New Way Forward for Employment-Based Immigration: The Bridge Visa
With the United States facing growing demographic pressures and labor needs, MPI is proposing creation of a bridge visa as a means of bringing flexibility to an employment system last overhauled by Congress in 1990.
At the Breaking Point: Rethinking the U.S. Immigration Court System
By 2023, the U.S. immigration court backlog surpassed 3 million cases. Incremental fixes have failed—fundamental redesign of the system is essential.
Toward a Better Immigration System: Fixing Immigration Governance at the U.S. Department of Homeland Security
DHS's fragmented immigration structure undermines effective governance. Immigration functions should be consolidated under stronger DHS leadership, along with IT modernization and stronger oversight.
From Jailers to Case Managers: Redesigning the U.S. Immigration Detention System to Be Effective and Fair
U.S. immigration detention cost up to $200 per person per day in fiscal year 2021. Shifting to case management and supervised release can reduce costs and improve outcomes.
Rethinking the U.S. Legal Immigration System: A Policy Road Map
Last updated in 1990, the U.S. legal immigration system needs deep reforms so employment and family pathways better match today’s economic and demographic realities.
Back on the Table: U.S. Legalization and the Unauthorized Immigrant Groups that Could Factor in the Debate
With 11 million unauthorized immigrants embedded in U.S. communities, there are legislative and executive options for policymakers to consider to offer durable legal status.
Obscure but Powerful: Shaping U.S. Immigration Policy through Attorney General Referral and Review
This report examines how attorneys general have used referral and review powers to reshape U.S. immigration law, with the Trump era marking a major expansion.
At the Starting Gate: The Incoming Biden Administration’s Immigration Plans
This brief maps immigration challenges and opportunities facing the incoming Biden administration in enforcement, asylum, legalization, and regional cooperation.
Building a New Regional Migration System: Redefining U.S. Cooperation with Mexico and Central America
An enforcement-only approach cannot manage Central American migration. A regional system of legal pathways, protection, and development is needed, as this report sketches.
