1. Immigration Politics in the USA in the Post- 9/11 Era
Presentation for the Western Migration Conference, University of Western Ontario, April 28–30, 2011
Ron Schmidt, Professor
Department of Political Science
California State University, Long Beach

2. US Immigration – demographic context
1965 Immigration Reform Act as Beginning of Contemporary Era
US Foreign-born Population increased from 9.6 million (6.7%) in 1970 to 36.7 million (12%) in 2009.
More than one-half were born in Latin America, and over one-third in Mexico.
Over 11 million (28% of foreign-born) were unauthorized migrants in 2009.
Geographic Shift to include “New Destinations”

3. US immigration policy
Similar to Canada’s, in that access to immigrant visa is based primarily on criteria of family unification or economic/ skills needed, as well as refugee status and a “diversity lottery”
Since 1990s, US immigration politics has focused primarily on unauthorized immigrants.

4. Central policy question in us:
What to Do About Undocumented Immigrants?
Restrictionists/Exclusionists = Many Conservatives (Mostly Republicans)
vs.
Expansionists/Inclusionists = Most Liberals (Mostly Democrats), Most Latinos

5. Policy alternatives in contention
Exclusionists: “Seal the Border” and “Deport”
Inclusionists: “Seal the Border” and “Pathway to Citizenship,” known as “Comprehensive Reform”

6. Timeline for immigration politics narrative, 2000-2010
2000: GW Bush Election
2001: September 11, and Aftermath
2002: Department of Homeland Security, with USCIS and ICE
2005: HR 4437 (Sensenbrenner Bill), a compendium of Exclusionary Measures
2006: Pro-Immigrant Marches; HR 4437 Fails in Senate; HR Immigration Hearings; GOP Loses Congress

7. Timeline (cont.)
2007 – Democratic Congress Fails at Comprehensive Reform; State-Local Govts. Increase Exclusionary Efforts
2008 – Obama Wins Presidency; Democrats Increase Control of Congress; Obama Appoints Rahm Emmanuel as Chief-of-Staff
– Immigration Reform Eclipsed by Healthcare & Financial Reforms
2010 – GOP Recaptures HR; DREAM Act Fails

8. Analysis: What’s going on?
Political Faultlines:
The Conservative Dance: Nativists vs “Main Street” (role of conservative media)
GOP Internal Strains: “Tea Party” vs. Latino Population Growth
Democrats: Obama Pragmatists vs. Latino Anger
Result: Stalemate

9. The future? Stalemate Unlikely to Change Soon
Exclusionists Have the Debate Framed in Their Favor: i.e., sovereignty, “law & order,” “Latino threat,” especially in New Destinations
However, considerable ambivalence remains, and most agree that Deportation is not the solution.
Inclusionists need to develop a new and compelling frame of their own.