Broken Immigration System

Broken Immigration System

Title: The Immigration Overhaul: Silence at the Border

Real Immigration Reform – A Way Forward

Tags: immigration, dystopia, politics, blog, policy, satire, America, reform

https://wp.me/p7NAzO-3zz

Personal commentary:

I served as a consular officer for the U.S. State Department from 1991 to 2016, with assignments in Seoul, Bangkok, Mumbai, Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean, and Madrid. During much of that time, I focused on immigrant visas and visa fraud investigations. I quickly came to three sobering conclusions: the immigration system was fundamentally broken; there was no political will to fix it—or even agreement on how to do so; and it was ripe for exploitation by applicants and crooked immigration attorneys.

In most cases, if the paperwork looks legit, and the applicant has been well schooled they will get their visa because even if there is obvious fraudulent indications it was very difficult to deny the visa, given time constrains and budgetary constrains and lack of support for combatting fraudulent applications.  Although that has changed a lot since I left the service, it is still difficult to deny immigrant visa applications and many fraudulent applications make it through the broken system..

The current massive deportation drive strikes me as counterproductive. It’s a classic case of throwing the baby out with the bathwater—and it’s doomed to failure. I imagine a President eventually coming to this realization and making a course correction, much like President Reagan did when, faced with similar challenges, he reversed course and agreed to an amnesty for undocumented immigrants.
I think the time is ripe to consider a similar approach. In the paragraphs that follow, I outline what I hope our President will consider—reforms I believe would resonate with much of the public. Of course, the Stephen Millers of the world will continue pushing for a draconian “deport all the brown people” policy, even if it means constructing a permanent police state. I am convinced that such an outcome is, in fact, the endgame for their Christian white nationalist agenda.

Time for an amnesty

I’ve long supported a limited amnesty built on practical and humane principles. Those who are undocumented but gainfully employed, have no criminal record, and speak English should be eligible to convert to lawful permanent resident (LPR) status. Priority should be given to individuals married to U.S. citizens and to parents of American children.

Additionally, Iraqi and Afghan nationals who assisted the United States during conflict—as well as Ukrainian refugees fleeing war—deserve our protection and the opportunity to stay. Every undocumented immigrant should be required to register, and those meeting clearly defined criteria should be granted legal status following a thorough review. Those who do not qualify would be subject to removal.

What we must end are the mass dragnet operations and the proliferation of detention centers. We are better than that. A compassionate, orderly process is not only morally sound—it reflects the reality that our economy depends on immigrant labor. Most undocumented individuals already contribute meaningfully to our society.

Lastly, we must enact comprehensive immigration reform to ensure a consistent and legal flow of new immigrants. That includes implementing and enforcing E-Verify for all employers, and penalizing those who violate the system.

President Trump’s Reverse Course

President Trump has doubled down on anti-immigrant rhetoric, announcing an immediate freeze on legal immigration and the termination of the Diversity Visa (DV) program—pending the enactment of a sweeping overhaul of U.S. immigration law.

the goal is to totally reform the Broken Immigration system.

The freeze includes exceptions for married immigrants sponsored by American citizens or lawful permanent residents (LPRs), along with a provision for temporary work permits available to agricultural, construction, and hospitality workers who meet the following criteria:

• Must pass a basic English conversation test
• No criminal record beyond minor traffic violations
• Documented, consistent work history in the U.S.
• Priority given to spouses and parents of U.S. citizens

Temporary Protected Status (TPS) revived

TPS will be reinstated for nationals of Cuba, Venezuela, Haiti, Central America, Afghanistan, Iraq, North Korea, and Ukraine. Qualifying individuals who meet the same criteria above may be granted permanent status, followed by:

• Eligibility to petition for lawful permanent residency (after 2 years)
• Eligibility to apply for citizenship (after 5 years)

All applicants must report to a local ICE office by year-end. Failure to meet the qualifications or deadline will result in deportation.

All other undocumented immigrants will be identified and deported.

Not Amnesty, But a Reset

President Trump has denied that the measure constitutes amnesty, instead framing it as recognition that the U.S. “needs and values immigrants—just not chaos.”

Early polling suggests 70% of the public supports the new plan.

Ripple Effects Across the Nation

Community colleges and adult education programs experience a surge in demand for ESL classes. Congress passes emergency legislation endorsing the new framework as an interim policy, with a promise to deliver a comprehensive immigration overhaul within one year.

The new law includes:

• Elimination of the DV program and the F4 sibling immigration category
• Removal of per-country caps
• Reorientation of immigration pathways around employment, education, and skills
• Mandatory English proficiency tests for all applicants
• Background screening to exclude individuals hostile to American values or affiliated with terrorist groups
• Admission limited to applicants with a high school diploma or college degree

International students who earn U.S. degrees will become eligible to apply for permanent residency upon graduation.

Streamlined Visa System

Visa categories are simplified into two classifications: Non-Immigrants and Immigrants.

Non-Immigrant Visa Types:

• A – High-level diplomatic or official visitors
• B – Business or tourist visitors
• C – Temporary workers (excluding D)
• D – Additional diplomatic staff, including UN officials
• Exchange visitors
• F – Students (convertible to LPR status upon graduation)
• Religious workers
• J – Journalists
• L – Intra-company transferees
• M – Medical patients
• N – Nurses and medical professionals
• P – Performers
• S – Athletes (for competitive events)

Immigrant Visa Types:

• IR1 – Spouses, children, and parents of U.S. citizens
• IR2 – Spouses, children, and parents of LPRs
• F1 – Skilled workers
• F2 – Unskilled workers
• F3 – Investors (minimum $500,000)

The Sunset of the F4 Category

Siblings of U.S. citizens in the F4 queue will have one year to reapply. To qualify for immigration with spouses and minor children, applicants must:

• Speak English
• Hold a high school diploma or college degree
• Possess employable skills
• Secure a five-year sponsorship agreement from their U.S. citizen relative

No new applications will be accepted after the calendar year closes.

There are millions of people stuck in this category, many of them waiting ten years or more  to “legally” immigrate, many of them commit visa fraud to spend up processing, and others simply overstay their visas. Eliminating this category will go a long way to cleaning up the broken immigration system, and offering those who have English skills, education and process employable skills a path way to legally immigrate is only fair.

Elimination of the K Finance Visa Category

I would eliminate this category because it is so riddled with fraudulent applications, including internet scammers. If an American citizen wants to marry a foreign national who resides overseas, he or she should be willing to go overseas and marry his spouse and then petition for his or her spouse to join them in the US.

Author’s Note:

Whether you read this as reform or restriction, the message is clear: America is redrawing its borders. What remains to be seen is who will be left inside—and what kind of country they’ll inherit.

• • Overview of the Immigration Crackdown Debate

    The Trump administration has intensified its immigration enforcement, with ICE Director Tom Homan promising to deport all undocumented immigrants. This escalation has sparked legal challenges, protests, and a polarized media response.

    Key developments include:

    • Mass deportation efforts targeting long-residing undocumented immigrants.
    • Legal pushback from federal judges, especially in California and New York.
    • Political tension between federal agencies and sanctuary cities.
    • Public protests in major cities like Los Angeles and Chicago.

    📊Enforcement Trends:

• ICE arrests have surged under the current administration, with over 56,000 people in custody
• Yet 71.7% of detainees have no criminal convictions, raising concerns about enforcement priorities

📰 Articles Supporting Immigration Visa Reform

1. Congress Quietly Revives Immigration Reform Push

   • Over 300 bipartisan immigration bills introduced since 2015, though only 5% became law

   • Recent proposals like S.1589 aim to reform immigration parole and address humanitarian protections
   • Highlights the lack of comprehensive reform and the dominance of employment-based tweaks
   • Reflects growing frustration with outdated visa categories and enforcement-heavy approaches

2. The Dignity Act of 2025

   • A bipartisan bill introduced by Reps. Salazar and Escobar to overhaul the immigration system
   • Proposes earned legal status for long-term undocumented immigrants without offering blanket amnesty
   • Includes mandatory E-Verify, asylum reform, and updates to employment and student visa programs
   • Offers a “Dignity Program”—a 7-year path to legal status based on restitution and good conduct
   • Recognizes the economic and social contributions of immigrants while emphasizing border security

3. Council on Foreign Relations Immigration Backgrounder

• Details decades of failed attempts at comprehensive reform
• Notes that executive actions have increasingly replaced legislative solutions
• Emphasizes the need for updated laws to reflect modern humanitarian and economic realities

📊 Latest U.S. Immigration Statistics (2025)

• Immigrant Population:

• • As of 2023, 47.8 million immigrants lived in the U.S., making up 14.3% of the population

  • Top countries of origin: Mexico (23%), India (6%), China (5%), Philippines (4%)

• Legal Immigration:

  • In FY 2023, over 1 million people obtained legal permanent residency
  • 58% through family reunification, 27% employment-based, 5% asylum, 4% diversity lottery

• Undocumented Immigrants:

  • Estimated 11 million undocumented individuals in the U.S.
  • Visa overstays now outnumber illegal border crossings

• Public Opinion:

Public Opinion Polling Highlights

Recent polls show a complex and shifting landscape:

• Gallup (July 2025):
  • 79% of Americans say immigration is good for the country.
  • Support for reducing immigration dropped from 55% to 30% since 2024.
  • Only 38% support mass deportations, down from 47% last year.
  • Source
• Pew Research (June 2025):
  • 65% support legal pathways for undocumented immigrants.
  • 60% disapprove of suspending asylum applications.
  • 54% disapprove of increased ICE workplace raids.
  • Source
• Monmouth University (Feb 2024):

• 61% see illegal immigration as a “very serious” problem.
• 53% support building a border wall.
• Source

for further reading see the following:

📰 Articles Supporting Immigration Visa Reform

1. 1. Congress Quietly Revives Immigration Reform Push

      VisaVerge article on bipartisan immigration bills and S.1589

   3. The Dignity Act of 2025 Overview

   4. Jagran Josh explainer on the Dignity Act’s provisions and bipartisan support
   5. Council on Foreign Relations Immigration Backgrounder
      CFR’s comprehensive analysis of U.S. immigration policy and reform efforts

ICE CHief Promises to Deport All Illegals

📊 Latest U.S. Immigration Statistics (2025)

1. Migration Policy Institute 2025 Immigration Statistics Report
   MPI’s full PDF report on immigrant population, visa categories, and trends
2. USCIS Immigration and Citizenship Data Dashboard
   USCIS quarterly reports on visa processing, asylum, and naturalization
3. The Global Statistics Immigration Overview
   TheGlobalStatistics.com summary of 2025 immigration categories and visa data

🇺🇸 📰 Media Coverage Across the Spectrum

Left-Leaning Sources

• America’s Voice: Argues mass deportation is unpopular and undermines due process.
  https://americasvoice.org/press_releases/100-days-roundup-new-memo-on-the-current-polling-and-politics-of-immigration/
• NBC News: Highlights Democratic backlash and humanitarian concerns.
  https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/politics-news/influx-migrants-border-gains-renewed-attention-crisis-rhetoric-spreads-rcna118595
• Latin Times: Critiques media bias and fearmongering in immigration coverage.
  https://www.latintimes.com/how-us-media-coverage-contributes-polarization-immigration-debate-across-country-552552

Center-Leaning Sources

• Pew Research Center: Offers balanced polling and demographic breakdowns.
  https://www.pewresearch.org/politics/2025/06/17/americans-have-mixed-to-negative-views-of-trump-administration-immigration-actions/
• NBC News: Covers bipartisan frustration and policy gridlock.
  https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/politics-news/influx-migrants-border-gains-renewed-attention-crisis-rhetoric-spreads-rcna118595
• AllSides: Tracks media bias and offers comparative coverage.
  https://www.allsides.com/topics/immigration

Right-Leaning Sources

• Fox News Digital: Frames the crackdown as restoring law and order.
  https://www.foxnews.com
• Newsmax: Emphasizes support for ICE and border enforcement.
  https://www.newsmax.com
• Washington Examiner: Defends Trump’s immigration policies and criticizes sanctuary cities.
  https://www.washingtonexaminer.com
• Media Matters Analysis: Shows right-wing dominance of immigration discourse on Facebook.
  https://www.mediamatters.org/facebook/facebook-right-leaning-content-overwhelmingly-dominates-immigration-conversation

• American Dreams

• written on the visa line in Mumbai circa 2002?

   

• 

  

• You see them
• Every morning
• Lined outside 

  Any US Embassy

  Around the world

   

  The visa seekers

  The American Dream seekers

   

  The poor, the dispossessed

  The disenfranchised

  The marginalized

   

  The forgotten

  The left behinds

  Of the not so great society

   

  The rich, the mightily

  The powerful

  The beautiful

   

  All looking for a slice

  Of the American Dream

   

  Some to sample its delicious flavors

  Others to try to live

  Among its deceptive lures

   

  America beckons

  As it has for years and years

   

  Land of the free

  Home of the brave

  Lady Liberty

   

  Land where a dream

  And a little luck

  Can make you too

  The richest man alive

   

  So they line up

  Outside my office door

   

  Just to talk

  To the American Visa God

   

  Spin a tale

  Tell a story

  Play a game

   

  Pretend to be

  What the American Visa God needs

   

  And then you get

  Your piece of the American Pie

   

  And off you go

  Only to end up

   

  In a thousand neglected

  Backwaters of the American nightmare

  Flotsam

  Floating from one marginal

  Illegal job to another

   

  Prey to the predators

  Ever behind

  The rent demands

   

  For you see

  America is a rich habit

  It is expensive to maintain

   

  The first taste is free

  The rest will cost yah

   

  You life, your soul

  And 70 hours per week

  At sub-minimum wages

   

  Soon you will be speaking

  English

  With the poor, the disenfranchised

   

  The flotsam

  The neglected

  The left behinds

   

  The rich will ignore you

  Not know your name

   

  The poor will fear

  You will take their jobs away

   

  And your friends back home

  Will wait to hear

   

  About you became a big shot

  In the American land

   

  They don’t want to hear

  No tales of working at McDonald’s

   

  Working 70 hours a week

  At five jobs per day

   

  No, No, No

  That’s not the America

  They see on TV

   

  They want it now

  They want their MTV

   

  Where’s the babes?

  Where’s the parties?

  Where’s the sex with naked ladies

   

  Come on man,

  You’re holding out

   

  Tell us the tales

  Of Wild America

   

  And so they line up

  Each and every day

   

  Line up outside

  My office window

   

  And we have the power

  To set them free

   

  Some to enable them

  To dream the American dream

   

  Some to send to the American nightmare

  Others to go back home

  To wherever they come back

   

  They will be back

  They will be back

   

  Nothing will deter them

  Not even the lack

   

  Of a piece of paper

  From the American Visa God

   

• Poems That Speak to the Immigrant Experience in America — includes Pat Mora’s Immigrants and Emma Lazarus’s The New Colossus
• 12 Alluring Poems About the American Dream — explores themes of ambition, resilience, and disillusionment
• Power Poetry’s “The American Dream…” — a personal narrative poem reflecting immigrant struggles and aspirations

Medium

Substack

Substack Podcast

Spotify Podcast 

Wattpad

#brokenImmigrationSystem #poltics