9/3/17 The contemporary debate around immigration is often framed around an axis of selfishness versus generosity, with Donald Trump talking about the need to put ‘America first’ while opponents tell heartbreaking stories of deportations and communities torn apart. A debate about how to enforce the existing law tends to supersede discussion of what the law ought to say.
All of this misses the core point. Immigration to the United States has not, historically, been an act of kindness toward strangers. It’s been a strategy for national growth and national greatness.
