Immigration Policy Summary

Considering something as complicated as American immigration policy it only makes sense that there have been so many changes to it. Tichnor explains that there are four interlocking processes that can explain all the changes and transformations that have occurred in American immigration policy over the course of its history. Tichnor’s first process argues that the fractured power spread across the United States government allows for powerful political actors to influence their views to create policy that falls in line with there ideals. This in turn makes it very difficult for any changes that do not agree with what the dominant political forces want to occur as Tichnor explains “decisive triumphs and nonincremental immigration reforms …show more content…
Immigration policy has been divided among two groups which makes this issue a very aligned with political alliances. On one side you have the American Right which consists of pro immigration free marketers as well as restrictionist cultural exclusionists. On the other side the American Left is made up of pro-immigration cosmopolitans as well as restrictionist economic protectionists. These two groups have been a major reason for any major immigration reforms in American policy. These parties have also been the reason that any breakthroughs in immigration policy have been rare. Although the status quo has largely been the norm Tichnor argues “the making and remaking of distinctive political coalitions on this issue that cut across familiar partisan and ideological lines”(Tichnor). These groups control the majority of the policy changes that occur, there are still new groups and alliances that can help create …show more content…
Considering that immigration not only is a domestic issue but also is a player in foreign policy. The traditional American viewpoint of isolationist ideals with a homogenous population leads to a better country. A great example of this idea can be seen with the Syrian immigration issues that the United States is dealing with today. International issues have lead to an increase in pressure to allow for these refugees to immigrate to the United States. Due to certain factors and the split opinions on this issue, immigration policy has been called into question. Tichnor writes “global threats or imperatives have proven to be a significant impetus for major immigration reform”(Tichnor). Global issues have been used to change immigration policy as the public opinion plays a key role in any change in any changes.

In conclusion, Tichnor brings up many great points about American immigration and the ways that any changes in policy occur. The four processes provide an explanation for why changes in policy occur or not. There are many factors that influence these changes as political powers, expert information, certain groups and American public opinion all play crucial roles. American immigration policy is a very complicated subject and Tichnor provides a basic structure to give further explanation to why it is the way it