Immigration

National immigration policy was to be a central issue of the Obama administration but has been put off as other issues took precedence.  In recent years both the House and Senate passed their own versions of laws to control illegal immigration, protect national borders and deal with the millions of illegal immigrants already living in the United States.  Neither proposal became law, however, because differences between the bills could not be worked out with the other chamber.  In 2010 the state of Arizona ignited a political firestorm when its governor signed legislation making it a state crime for immigrants not to carry their documents with them, in effect allowing local police to act as immigration agents.  Critics decried the potential for racial profiling and a usurpation of federal law while advocates said the law was narrowly crafted and a legitimate response to federal inaction.  A federal judge has since blocked enforcement of the law, which is now awaiting a decision from the U.S. Supreme Court.  While the Obama administration has deported a record number of illegal immigrants, it is now reported the flow of Mexican nationals into the U.S. has now reversed due mostly to a lack of jobs north of the border.

Related Legislation