Legalizing Essential Workers and Immigration Reform
Douglas Holtz-Eakin
Testimony to the U.S. Senate Committee on the Judiciary Subcommittee on Immigration, Citizenship, and Border Safety The views expressed here are my own and do not represent the position of the American Action Forum. I thank Whitney Appel for tremendous assistance in preparing this testimony. All remaining errors are my own.
Introduction
Chairman Padilla, Ranking Member Cornyn and members of the Subcommittee, I am pleased to have the opportunity to appear today. In this testimony, I wish to make three basic points:
Legalization of a variety of categories of undocumented immigrants, such as the proposed Citizenship for Essential Workers Act – is an important aspect of federal immigration reform, but such reforms should also include securing borders and reforming the visa system to contribute to stronger economic growth;
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Examining the Latest Immigration Reform Legislation
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One Thumbs-Up for Immigration Reform
Douglas Holtz-Eakin
Eakinomics: One Thumbs-Up for Immigration Reform
The Biden Administration’s stealth immigration reform has now been unveiled, and it is exactly as advertised (see the short review by Whitney Appel and me). The U.S. Citizenship Act (USCA) of 2021, introduced in the House by Rep. Sanchez and in the Senate by Sen. Menendez, most notably includes an ambitious legalization of the roughly 11 million illegal immigrants present in the United States. Recipients of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA), those with Temporary Protected Status, and agriculture workers would have the ability to immediately apply for a green card and become citizens after 3 years. The remainder of the illegal immigrant population would have an 8-year path to citizenship. In addition to legalization, the bill would revamp the strategy at the southern border and provide assistance to Central American countries in an attempt to forestall illeg