St. John's Law Review

The Border Security and Immigration Improvement Act: A Modern Solution to a Historic Problem?

By: Kiera LoBreglio

The Border Security and Immigration Improvement Act is a bill that has been offered to Congress by House Representatives Jim Kolbe and Jeff Flake and Senator John McCain.  The bill's main proposal is to establish two new categories of nonimmigrant work visas.  It also provides for admission of temporary H-4A workers, adjustment of alien status to that of H-4B nonimmigrant status in certain circumstances, and allocation of additional funds to the United States Employment Service.

This Note analyzes the likely effectiveness of the proposed legislation and its possible consequences on the migration relationship between the United States and Mexico.  It also looks briefly at Canadian and European migration legislation for comparative purposes and for novel approaches to immigration policy.  This Note concludes with possible alternative solutions to the problems facing immigration policymakers today.

Full text version available for download in PDF format.