Statement on United States Immigration and Refugee Policy

The American Presidency Project ^ | July 30, 1981 | Ronald Reagan

[WatchungEagle]

Our nation is a nation of immigrants. More than any other country, our strength comes from our own immigrant heritage and our capacity to welcome those from other lands. No free and prosperous nation can by itself accommodate all those who seek a better life or flee persecution. We must share this responsibility with other countries...

• Illegal immigrants in considerable numbers have become productive members of our society and are a basic part of our work force. Those who have established equities in the United States should be recognized and accorded legal status. At the same time, in so doing, we must not encourage illegal immigration.

[WatchungEagle]

Pretty bad stuff here. Amnesty, immigration sentimentality, refugee tear jerking and no mention of any negative impacts of immigration on Americans. Also, Reagan seemed to have no concept of the cultural impact of immigration on America, it's simply assumed that it's not an issue.

This was delivered in the wake of the disastrous Mariel boat lift fiasco and the increase in Central American "refugees"(ie MS-13) which was being driven by US Cold War policy in the region. Americans, especially in the most impacted states, were starting to get angry about immigration.

I'm posting this in part to debunk the claims that Reagan was forced to do amnesty, or it was Congress's idea or that he caved in against his better judgment. Reagan was pushing for amnesty and "refugees" from early in his first term.

Let's also remember that the Orlando shooting terrorist's father was one of those poor oppressed Muslim refugees who Reagan believed America had a "responsibility" to let in.

[Reno89519]

Our immigration problem started as much with Reagan as anyone else. His amnesty begot more illegal aliens and more amnesty. This incredible failure should not be forgotten or whitewashed.

[Dogbert41]

[WatchungEagle]

One of the points I wanted to make is that Reagan’s failure was failure of philosophy. That really comes through in this statement. There is fundamentally liberal philosophical worldview behind open borders.