US faces immigration dilemma

The US administration has adopted a hard-line anti-immigration stance, imposing severe restrictions even on legal immigration and hounding out illegal immigrants.

The United States has implemented a string of policy measures to reduce immigration, including but not limited to banning nationals of eight Muslim countries from entering the country, reducing the annual number of H-1B visas (for temporary employment of foreign skilled workers), and enhancing the discretionary power of immigration officers in denying or delaying immigration applications.

It appears that a segment of US citizens harbors strong anti-immigration sentiments and supports the restrictive policies, although the US economy is reaping the benefits of the presence of highly skilled professional immigrants. While Washington has repeatedly claimed that it still welcomes professional and well-educated immigrants, the anti-immigrant climate can have an adverse effect on this group.