The Quiet Crisis in Immigration: How Policies Are Changing the Game
The recent shooting of two National Guardsmen in Washington sparked a swift reaction from the Trump administration, but not in the way one might expect. Instead of focusing on the crime, the administration imposed severe restrictions on legal immigration.
USCIS Halts Millions of Applications
The U. S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) halted millions of applications and reviewed thousands of already approved cases. This move was part of a broader strategy to reshape the agency from within.
Significant Changes Under Trump's Leadership
Former USCIS employees reveal that the agency underwent significant changes under Trump's leadership. The administration targeted experienced staff, creating chaos and instability.
Chaos and Instability
- Employees were forced into unprepared offices, leading to network failures and supply shortages.
- Some workers were even turned away due to lack of space.
- These disruptions were not just about inefficiency; they were part of a plan to push out seasoned professionals and destabilize the agency.
Campaign Against Career Civil Servants
The campaign against career civil servants went beyond attrition.
Ultimatums and Fear
- Employees were given ultimatums: leave or face potential layoffs without severance.
- Long-standing work schedules were revoked overnight.
- The administration even compiled a “watch list” of civil servants accused of bias, complete with personal details and photos.
- This created an environment of fear, with targeted employees installing home security systems or leaving the agency altogether.
Workforce Reengineering
The workforce is being reengineered to focus more on enforcement.
New Hires and Job Ads
- Nearly 1, 800 experienced staff have left, replaced by new hires with a different agenda.
- Job ads now emphasize protecting the homeland and defending culture, offering bonuses to attract applicants.
- The new director openly calls USCIS an “immigration enforcement agency, ” a role that was never intended for it.
New Policies and Scrutiny
New policies instruct officers to scrutinize the character of immigration applicants, even considering their “Americanism” or neighbors’ opinions.
Proposed Public Charge Rule
- The proposed public charge rule will expand discretion to deny applications based on speculative judgments.
- The agency is also preparing to grant certain officers arrest authority and permission to carry firearms.
Impact on Legal Immigration System
These changes are making the legal immigration system slower, harsher, and more arbitrary.
Damage Beyond the Current Administration
- Errors will increase, and law-abiding applicants will face wrongful denials.
- U. S. citizens seeking to reunite with family, businesses needing talent, and researchers on the verge of breakthroughs will all be affected.
Conclusion
A functioning legal immigration system protects the nation by admitting those who qualify under the law and identifying genuine threats. A system distorted by political retribution does neither well.
What is at stake is not just the future of one agency but the nation’s ability to manage immigration in a way that is consistent with its laws and worthy of its highest ideals.
