“We are a nation of immigrants.” No doubt you have heard that well-known saying describing the rich tradition of people arriving from all over the world onto our shores to find opportunity and forge a new life of prosperity.
Immigration has also become a highly charged topic with wide-ranging viewpoints on who should be allowed entry and what the right levels of immigration are for our country.
In this brief we provide an overview of this issue, define some key terminology, look at a brief history of immigration policy, understand the numbers over the years, outline varying viewpoints, explore areas of future reform, and identify resources where you can learn more.