Immigration and U.S. Foreign Policy

Abstract

US immigration policy traditionally has been regarded as a domestic policy issue a perception apparent in the virtual absence of immigration policy concerns in US foreign policy debate. The lag in appreciating immigration policy as a component of foreign policy seems to be more a matter of convention of outdated issue identification. Underlying assumption concerning the fundamental nature of foreign policy and international politics have left migration matters outside the traditional focus of foreign policy analysis. The matter in which the enormous socioeconomic disparities between the advanced and the least developed countries affect international population flows is a subject that needs to be understood before immigration becomed a central concern of US foreign policy. No single model or classificatory scheme with which to analyze US immigration policy as foreign policy exists. One way to structure a consideration of US immigration policy as foreign policy would be to break down the general policy area to broad types of migrants concerned: immigrants illegal aliens temporary workers refugees and visitors. In each case the foreign policy significance of US policy seems somewhat different yet the categories are of mutual relevance to each other. The question is not whether foreign policy relevant change in US immigration policy comes but when and how it will come. 3 major scenarios seem possible. First immigration policy can stant as is and be slowly overwhelmed by the events and forces that already have prompted cries of alarm. The likely outcome would be a radical policy departure in the form of immigration restriction which would seek to seal off the US from international migration pressures. The foreign policy consequence of such a departure would be severe. A 2nd scenario could result from a continuing inability of the US to adapt to changing would circumstances as manifested in increasing global migratory and refungee pressures. Between the extremes of the 2 scenarious lies the 3rd option of a constructive response to the global immigration problem. The key to this response is creative and farsighted diplomacy.