David Cronin, a senior policy and legislative specialist with Catholic Relief Services, has emphasized that effective immigration reforms will remain elusive unless politicians put aside partisan differences and address the root causes of global migration. During a recent webinar hosted by the Center for Migration Studies, Cronin highlighted the confusion created by the shifting immigration policies of the Trump and Biden administrations.
“When considering the policy swings under the Trump administration, there was a complete cut in funding to Central America,” Cronin explained. “In contrast, the Biden administration has aimed to address root causes. Such drastic changes create confusion, particularly in Central America.”
Cronin advocates for consistent, balanced, and humane immigration reforms, stressing that these measures could reduce migration levels, save taxpayer dollars, and enhance national security. He called for a long-term, bipartisan commitment from Congress and the administration to invest in communities, partner with governments, and support individuals in their home countries.
Giulia McPherson, executive director of the Global Campaign for Education-US, echoed these sentiments. She urged advocates to focus on the humanity of migrants and refugees, rather than becoming entangled in partisan rhetoric. “We need to humanize the stories of these individuals,” McPherson said. “Complex policies can be hard for advocates and recipients to understand.”
McPherson also highlighted the impact of presidential policies on the refugee resettlement program. Following the passage of the U.S. Refugee Act in 1980, the U.S. has welcomed refugees who undergo extensive vetting by the United Nations and are granted work rights and pathways to citizenship. However, the Trump administration’s policies led to a historic low in refugee admissions, with only 11,000 refugees resettled in fiscal year 2020, far below the target of 18,000.
Under the Biden administration, the refugee resettlement program has begun to recover, with 74,000 refugees resettled this year and a target of 125,000. McPherson noted that the need for resettlement is urgent, with an estimated 2.9 million refugees expected by 2025 due to climate disasters, economic crises, and conflict. “The number of refugees resettled by the U.S. is a small fraction of the total need, but the U.S. remains a global leader in refugee protection,” she said.
Mark Hugo Lopez, director of race and ethnicity research at Pew Research Center, highlighted that the shortcomings of U.S. immigration policy are widely recognized by Americans. A 2024 study showed that only 18% of U.S. adults believe the country is effectively managing the migrant situation at the southern border. Meanwhile, 80% of Americans think the U.S. is handling the situation poorly, with 45% rating it as “very bad.” Republicans are particularly critical, with 89% dissatisfied compared to 73% of Democrats.
To address these issues, 60% of Americans support increasing the number of immigration judges and staff to expedite the asylum process, while 56% advocate for more legal immigration opportunities. Additionally, 56% believe that providing safe and sanitary conditions for migrants is essential.
Lopez also noted that the importance of immigration as an issue varies by political affiliation. “For Trump supporters, immigration often ranks among the top issues,” Lopez said. “In contrast, for Biden supporters, it is usually lower on the priority list. This disparity reflects differing perspectives on immigration among voters.”
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