An effective immigration system must establish lasting solutions for border security and ensure we have the skilled workers our economy needs. Following recent executive actions, the border is now more secure than it has been in years. Funding from the One Big Beautiful Bill (OBBB) will support border security and reduce the incentives for illegal entry. We must combine border security and the rule of law with an orderly process for welcoming legal immigrants who contribute to America’s economy.

The immigration system needs to be modernized to provide legal immigration pathways for workers in high-demand fields. We propose the following actions:

1. The federal government should keep the border secure and address the factors that encourage illegal immigration. Just as companies employ leading innovations to improve processes and keep America competitive, the government should deploy cutting-edge technology, combined with physical barriers where appropriate, to enhance national security and improve the administration of immigration laws. Over the long term, the government should also sustain investments made in the OBBB in the personnel necessary to secure the border and enforce our immigration laws. Interior enforcement should prioritize those who pose the greatest threat. To address a magnet for illegal immigration, Congress must also prevent exploitation of our asylum system.
2. The United States should expand legal opportunities for temporary workers of all skill levels to contribute to marketplace needs. A modern U.S. immigration system needs to provide legal channels for foreign-born workers to fill critical workforce gaps and foster innovation in industries such as health care, hospitality, agriculture and construction.
3. The United States should increase the number of skilled legal immigrants needed to strengthen U.S. competitiveness and contribute to the economy over the long term. The United States cannot compete effectively with foreign competitors unless we grow the number of workers in high-demand fields including science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM).
4. The government should administer U.S. immigration laws in a timely, transparent and consistent manner. Businesses are more likely to invest and grow in the United States if they know how the government will administer the immigration rules and can plan for predictable adjudication outcomes and timelines. Talented foreign workers are more likely to pursue opportunities in the United States if they know the rules will not change while they go through the process and that government delays will not disrupt their employment.
5. Congress should embrace a practical, bipartisan solution for Dreamers. Congress needs to address individuals brought to the United States as minor children with fair, just and practical solutions.