U.S. Immigrant Integration Pt. 2: Lessons from Abroad and Policy Implications
America / Immigration / Other / U.S. Domestic Policy

U.S. Immigrant Integration Pt. 2: Lessons from Abroad and Policy Implications

As discussed in the preceding post, U.S. immigrant integration efforts occur mainly at the state and local level, with mixed success rates among various groups. However, as demonstrated by Figure 13, immigrants in the U.S. are more assimilated than in most European countries: Still, U.S. immigrant integration has room for improvement, according to the Migration … Continue reading

U.S. Immigrant Integration Pt. 1: An Overview
America / Immigration / Other / U.S. Domestic Policy

U.S. Immigrant Integration Pt. 1: An Overview

While debates on immigration reform have centered primarily on securing the border and potentially legalizing the undocumented population in the U.S., policymakers have overlooked one key aspect of immigration policy: immigrant integration. Through integration programs, immigrants can acquire the skills and credentials they need to successfully transition to their new life. This includes, among other … Continue reading

Is It Time to Lift the Cuba Embargo?
Foreign Policy / Latin America / Politics / Sanctions

Is It Time to Lift the Cuba Embargo?

Appearing before the Council on Foreign Relations last month, Hilary Clinton took a decisive stance opposite that of the administration as she called for an end to the half-century old U.S embargo against Cuba. “The embargo is Castro’s best friend. It provides Castro an excuse for everything,” Clinton stated, arguing that the embargo now serves … Continue reading

O Canada: 5 Advantages of Using a Points-Based Immigrant Selection System
America / Immigration / Labor Force / Politics

O Canada: 5 Advantages of Using a Points-Based Immigrant Selection System

While politicians, the press, and immigration advocates continue to criticize the “broken” U.S. immigration system, there is one country whose immigration model consistently receives praise: Canada. Our northern neighbor has one of the highest proportion of immigrants among the G8 countries—one in five Canadian residents is foreign-born. The Canadian people overwhelmingly support immigration, with 86 … Continue reading

Political Bickering over Immigration Reform Discrediting Both Sides
Immigration / Other / Politics

Political Bickering over Immigration Reform Discrediting Both Sides

President Obama announced on Monday what many have been speculating for some time now: there will be no House vote on immigration this year, meaning Obama will now take executive action to “fix” the immigration system. The president has also requested $2 billion from Congress in emergency funds to deal with the escalating immigration crisis … Continue reading

The Risks of Substantive NSA Reform
National Security / Politics / Technology

The Risks of Substantive NSA Reform

In the wake of Edward Snowden’s unsettling disclosures last year about the extent of government surveillance on Americans, the Obama administration and Congress made it imperative to restore public trust in the National Security Agency (NSA) as well as the government in general. The result was the Uniting and Strengthening America by Fulfilling Rights and … Continue reading