The Immigration Act of 1990: Retreat from Reform

Abstract

[Excerpt] It is difficult to understand why anyone would editorially "rejoice", as has been done, over the immigration legislation passed by Congress on the last day of the 101st Congressional session. The new statute, which was signed into law by President George Bush on November 29, 1990, is ill conceived, deceptively designed, poorly timed, and subtly racist. Despite the chronic need for reform, the Immigration Act of 1990 cannot possibly be described as being in the national interest. It perpetuates and expands the worst features of the existing system while introducing new features that are both counterproductive and, in parts, unethical in the principles it projects.