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ICE: US Immigration and Customs Enforcement
Issues in the immigration system have been long overlooked, and it has been a subject of political debate for some time now.
Two weeks ago, I wrote my opinion, as an international student, on ICE and how unjust the immigration system can be. Therefore, to gain a deeper understanding, I reached out to Dr. Maureen Stobb, associate professor of Political Science at GSU, and former immigration attorney.
Dr Stobb’s background as an immigration attorney has given her a unique view of the complexities of immigration law. She reveals that the media and political rhetoric miss key points on how immigration laws are structured. “It is not so simple as one change, it takes a comprehensive change…immigration law is a maze, as complex as tax law”, says Dr. Stobb.
Given her experience, I asked what critical changes she would advocate for in the US immigration laws and policies, and her response shed light on an important, overlooked issue.
A major topic that Dr. Stobb believes needs to be talked about more is whether employers will be held accountable for their actions. The simple act of requiring employers to use E-verify to know if someone is eligible to work in the US is critical, however many employers don’t do this.
Dr. Stobb explains, “If employers must face fines for hiring people to work without permission (which often means the employee is in a vulnerable position), they may be more willing to support legislation creating more visas for unskilled workers in the US.” Nonetheless, as she stated before, the immigration system is too complex to have a perfect solution.
“One of the big fears is the danger of racial profiling in employment practices”, states Dr. Stobb.
Looking ahead, the immigration system will inevitably continue to evolve, especially in terms of balancing security concerns with human rights.
Dr. Stobb emphasizes we can’t foresee the future but the issue is clear.
“The securitization of immigration policy is, according to many scholars, an issue across the globe. I honestly can’t predict the future, but without a concerted effort against it, it is likely to continue…”
