The illegal immigrant crisis created by the Biden regime is so appalling, and so gigantic, that it has rightly captured the attention of both the public and the Trump administration. While the scale of the crisis defies description, it can largely be resolved through a faithful execution of existing immigration law. In dealing with the problem of illegal immigration, however, it is important that we also think about America’s legal immigration policy.

In thinking about immigration, we have the benefit of being about to draw upon the ideas of America’s Founding Fathers. Not so much on specific policies, as early America’s immigration policies were largely driven in large measure by the particular circumstances of the time, but in terms of general principles. The principles of the American Founding form a series of guideposts for thinking about legal immigration policy.

Legal immigration policy, like any other policy, should be oriented around the primary purpose of any just government: the protection of the unalienable natural rights of American citizens. The Declaration of Independence asserts that the purpose of government is “to secure these rights”, a reference to the unalienable natural rights........

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