The Immigration Debate: What Does a Functional Border Look Like?

On Tuesday, the House Subcommittee on Border and Maritime Security will hold a hearing entitled, “What Does a Secure Border Look Like?” If I were testifying at this hearing, I would respectfully submit to the members of the subcommittee that they’re asking the wrong question. This question has no answer, it’s a diversion from the essential task of creating an immigration system that works for America, and it misunderstands what the U.S.-Mexico border is.  Click here for a NAFSA blog post calling for a shift of the debate to one seeking a "functional border."

By the way, the witness list for tomorrow's hearing looks a bit one-sided:

Mr. Michael J. Fisher, Chief, Border Patrol, U.S. Department of Homeland Security

Mr. Kevin McAleenan, Acting Assistant Commissioner, Office of Field Operations, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, U.S. Department of Homeland Security

RAdm William Lee, Deputy For Operations Policy and Capabilities, U.S. Coast Guard, U.S. Department of Homeland Security

Ms. Rebecca Gambler, Acting Director, Homeland Security and Justice, Government Accountability Office

Marc R. Rosenblum, PhD, Specialist in Immigration Policy, Congressional Research Service, The Library of Congress

KJ