My essay will be about the immigration policy of the United States of America. The U.S. administration has tightened measures against (illegal) immigration to the USA since the 1980s. Especially the immigration of unskilled workers should be avoided. As we will see, the U.S. administration struggles with lacking reform in immigration policy, that’s why a conflict between the federal and state level exists. Especially since the terrorist attacks of 11th of September 2001, the immigration policy has dramatically been changed. Now security issues have become the most important topic. Already existing bilateral relations between the USA and countries of origin of immigrants have also been affected. The first chapter of this essay will be about the changes in immigration policy since the 1980s. I will try to describe the most important new anti-immigrant laws. Furthermore I will show the reasons for these legal changes. In the second chapter I will write about general reasons for changes in immigration policy in the United States and the meaning of the incidents of September 2001. The third chapter will be about the interest groups which are important in immigration policy. I will try to show how immigration policy is influenced and by whom. My hypothesis for this essay is that U.S. immigration has changed at the latest since the beginning of the 1990s, the level of education of the immigrants got more important because of economic reasons. Since the terror attacks in 2001 immigration is restricted because of safety reasons.
Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)
- U.S. immigration policy in the 1980s and 1990s
- Reasons for changes in U.S. immigration policy
- Interest groups
- Conclusion
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
This essay aims to analyze the evolution of U.S. immigration policy, specifically focusing on the tightening of measures against illegal immigration since the 1980s. It explores the reasons behind these changes, including the role of economic insecurity, Cold War hysteria, and the impact of the 9/11 attacks. The essay also examines the influence of various interest groups on U.S. immigration policy.
- Changes in U.S. immigration policy since the 1980s
- Reasons for changes in immigration policy, including economic concerns and security issues
- Impact of the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, on immigration policy
- Role of interest groups in shaping U.S. immigration policy
- Evolution of U.S.-Mexican immigration relations in the context of economic integration and border control
Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
- Chapter 1: U.S. immigration policy in the 1980s and 1990s: This chapter examines the significant shift in U.S. immigration policy during the 1980s and 1990s, marked by the enactment of laws aimed at restricting immigration, particularly from Mexico. It highlights the role of economic insecurity, Cold War anxieties, and the scapegoating of immigrants as contributing factors to these changes. The chapter discusses key legislation like the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986 and the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996, analyzing their impact on immigration flows and border control.
- Chapter 2: Reasons for changes in U.S. immigration policy: This chapter delves into the broader context of changes in U.S. immigration policy, exploring factors beyond specific legislation. It examines the influence of public opinion, the role of interest groups, and the significance of the September 11th attacks in shaping policy shifts. The chapter analyzes the interplay of economic, security, and political considerations in driving immigration policy decisions.
- Chapter 3: Interest groups: This chapter focuses on the diverse range of interest groups that exert influence on U.S. immigration policy. It explores the perspectives and strategies of key players, such as labor unions, businesses, immigrant advocacy groups, and law enforcement agencies. The chapter analyzes how these groups lobby for their interests and shape the policy landscape.
Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)
The essay examines key themes and concepts related to U.S. immigration policy, including: immigration reform, illegal immigration, border control, economic integration, security concerns, interest groups, and the impact of the 9/11 attacks. It explores the interplay of these factors in shaping immigration policies and the evolution of U.S. immigration practices.
- Quote paper
- Markus Rachbauer (Author), 2007, Immigration Policy in the USA, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/93992
