ThinkTankWeekly

Immigration Studies Director David J. Bier Testifies Before the House Judiciary Committee

CATO | 2026-05-18 | society

Topics: United States, Society

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English Summary

David J. Bier argues that restrictive immigration policies are detrimental to American society, citing research that shows immigrants—both legal and illegal—are net positive contributors who increase income, generate taxes, and improve public safety by reducing crime rates. He argues that current legal restrictions and the threat of mass deportation are counterproductive, leading to instability and undermining local governance. Policy recommendations include abandoning the 'mass deportation dream' and reforming legal pathways, while simultaneously ensuring that federal enforcement (DHS/ICE) prioritizes serious criminal fugitives over broad, indiscriminate arrests. This shift is presented as the only way to defend national safety, prosperity, and civil liberties.

中文摘要

大衛·J·比爾(David J. Bier)主張,限制性的移民政策對美國社會有害。他引用研究指出,無論是合法還是非法移民,都是淨正向的貢獻者,他們能增加收入、產生稅收,並透過降低犯罪率來改善公共安全。他認為,現行的法律限制和大規模驅逐的威脅是徒勞的,反而會導致社會不穩定並削弱地方治理。政策建議包括放棄「大規模驅逐的幻想」,同時改革合法的移民途徑;同時,也應確保聯邦執法機構(如DHS/ICE)將重點放在嚴重的犯罪逃犯,而非進行廣泛、不加區分的逮捕。作者提出,這是捍衛國家安全、繁榮和公民自由的唯一途徑。

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