Immigration Policy and Human Resource Development

[Excerpt] Population projections made by both the U.S. Census Bureau and the National Research Council in 1995 show that, if existing immigration policies remain in place, immigration will account for two-thirds of the anticipated population growth of between 124 and 131 million people that will occur by 2050. Immigration, which is currently accounting for about 40 percent of annual population growth, is in the process of becoming the dominant influence on the nation\u27s human resource development. Two national commissions established by Congress since 1965 have strongly criticized prevailing immigration policy and offered significant recommendations for changes. Independent research findings have confirmed that extant immigration policy is not serving the national interest. Public opinion polls consistently indicate that most Americans want extensive reforms. But because immigration policy has been captured by a powerful coalition of special interest groups who have selfish private agendas, reform efforts have languished. As a consequence, immigration policy has been allowed to function without accountability for its economic consequences