The Time Is Right For Common Sense Immigration Reform
Author: Brian Miller, Helena Attorney
The Time is Right for Common Sense Immigration Reform
Brian Miller
Helena Attorney
In 1986, President Ronald Reagan signed the Immigration Reform and Control Act. The bipartisan legislation was sponsored by Sen. Alan Simpson (R-Wy). It allowed 2.7 million undocumented persons to obtain legal status and formally become U.S. citizens. When President Reagan signed the bill, he put out a signing statement which said in part that the bill would allow a “class of individuals who now must hide in the shadows . . . [to] be able to step into the sunlight and, ultimately, if they choose . . . become Americans.”
Trump Administration has set a goal of 3,000 deportations per day. If this goal is met, it would result in the deportation of over 1 million persons per year. With some estimates placing the undocumented population at over 10 million, such a policy would continue for at least a decade. Such a policy would fundamentally transform the nature of American society.
Many Americans are concerned about the Trump Administration’s mass deportation policy. The Trump Administration has stationed U.S. Marines in California and deployed a force of heavily armed, masked federal agents to arrest primarily children, workers, and others who pose no threats to public health and safety. A recent report estimated that only around 10% of the arrests are real criminal targets.
While the Trump Administration’s immigration policy has led to the lowest levels of illegal border crossings in decades (which is a good thing), most economists are concerned about the effects that the mass deportations will have on the U.S. labor force, with some even suggesting the enforcement actions will send us into a recession.
As a candidate for the United States Congress for Montana’s Second Congressional District, I share these concerns. I believe it is high time for common-sense immigration reform, which is consistent with the American values as articulated by President Ronald Reagan in 1986. Congress must exercise its constitutional authority to weigh in on this important matter without delay.
Brian Miller
Helena
Candidate for Montana’s Second Congressional District
Article Images
Click on Image Thumbnail(s) to view fullsize image
PhotoCredit: Brian Miller
Image 1 Caption: Brian Miller
