Legal processes are an essential component of U.S. immigration laws. There are rules covering everything from the admission of legal immigrants to enforcement against alleged violations of immigration laws, adjustment of status, and applications for protection from persecution.
The processes are often slow and cumbersome. Many are out of date, given the speed of today’s world. But all of them are important to protect the safety, security, and legal rights of everyone already in this country as well as those seeking to come here.
The last decade-plus of immigration policy has shown that these processes need an overhaul by Congress. Humanitarian protection is secure but incredibly slow. Refugees wait years to restart their lives. Asylum seekers get to resettle faster, but they live with the uncertainty that their cases can be denied, even after they establish themselves, find work, and form attachments in the United States.
Immigrants with family sponsorships often wait decades. Employment-based immigrants can also wait years for a permanent spot in the United States. These long wait times benefit no one…
Laura Collins, Director, George W. Bush Institute, April 14, 2025
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