Prospects for Comprehensive Immigration Reform

Testimony of Doris Meissner, Director of MPI's U.S. Immigration Policy Program, before the Senate Judiciary Committee Subcommittee on Immigration, Border Security, and Citizenship, at its hearing: "Comprehensive Immigration Reform in 2009, Can We Do It and How?" 

"Mister Chairman and Members of the Subcommittee, 

Thank you for inviting me to testify at this hearing on “Comprehensive Immigration Reform in 2009: Can We Do It and How?” My name is Doris Meissner and I am a Senior Fellow and Director of the U.S. Immigration Policy Program at the Migration Policy Institute (MPI) in Washington, D.C. MPI is a non-partisan, non-governmental think tank that studies migration and the management of migration systems worldwide. One of our primary areas of research, analysis and policy recommendations is U.S. immigration policy. 

Introduction 

To answer questions about the “when” and “how” of immigration reform, it is important to have clear understandings about the “what.” What we know regarding immigration in the life of the nation today is important in informing how we move forward. In that connection, my statement will posit answers to four pressing questions: 

• What is the relationship between the current recession and immigration? 
• What must be key drivers of the nation’s longer-term immigration policy interests? 
• What security, law enforcement and administrative considerations are relevant to comprehensive immigration reform? 
• What makes legalization during a recession central to longer-term solutions? [...]"