Mr. Bier and Cato's immigration defense is one of the main reasons I am still a Cato donor. Mr. Bier's work in this area is superb.
One note of pessimism: David points out that the Biden administration dithered on fixing the immigration system and that created the well-documented chaos at the border and I get, but lets be honest: MAGA doesn't like immigration of ANY kind, even in a fully-functional, Biden-implemented immigration system that resulted in 100% legal immigration would STILL have the result of people of different ethnicities, races, and religions assimilating into this country, and that is intolerable to MAGA.
Americans have been left two choice on immigration: defacto open borders vs mass deportation. Given those are my only two choices I say deport every man woman and child who is here illegally.
way wrong answer, since immigrants are a significant net benefit, documented or not.
Furthermore, anyone making the ghastly suggestion in your second statement is quite rightly described as a xenophobe, and probably not interested in hearing about the benefits immigrants provide.
Way wrong answer. Immigrants can be a net benefit when they come legally through a proper process — but claiming all immigrants, documented or not, are a 'significant net benefit' ignores reality. Recent data shows massive overall economic boosts from immigration (like CBO projections of trillions in GDP growth), but that's largely from skilled, vetted legal entrants who pay taxes and fill jobs productively.
The big problem is illegal entry bypassing any vetting. Not every undocumented person adds to the greater good — some are straight-up dangerous. Look at the Tren de Aragua gang members who walked right into our country under lax border policies: DHS reports multiple cases of TdA suspects illegally crossing, getting released into American communities, then committing or being tied to violent crimes like assaults, trafficking, and attacks on law enforcement (e.g., recent incidents in places like Portland and Elgin). We've seen thousands of TdA arrests/deportations since early 2025, plus ongoing operations targeting MS-13 and others who slipped through earlier. I live in SF I know firsthand how bad it is. We moved out two years ago because of the uptick in violence and drugs on the street.
That's why legal immigration exists: a real process that requires effort, proves character and work ethic, and weeds out threats like gang members — not open borders where violent criminals just walk in. Calling anyone who wants secure borders and rules a 'xenophobe' is just deflection. We can welcome good immigrants while keeping out the bad ones. Fuck the blind ideology that ignores victims of these failures. Secure the damn border first. You lefty scum!
Allow me to quickly dispense with each of your errors here. Or at least as many of them as I can. There are a lot.
1) I never claimed "ALL" immigrants are a net benefit. That's a strawman. No sane person would make such an argument. My point was obviously that immigrants in the aggregate are a net benefit.
And they are. They are a net benefit to the economy and to the coffers of the federal and state governments. I recommend the plethora of excellent immigration work at Cato that confirms this. But for the purpose of this post, its silly to suggest that the benefit we get from immigrants is ONLY from high skilled entrants. Immigrants fill jobs at all levels of the economy, from the entrepreneurs at the most valuable tech company, all the way down to the most labor intensive, entry level jobs. The labor shortages in this country that are starving for immigrants to fill them are in all sectors of the economy, and they all keep the engine running. Xenophobes can't on the one hand say that immigrants take the jobs of Americans of lesser skill levels...then suggest that its only the highly skilled ones who are producing value.
2) Its fatuous to suggest that ONLY immigrants who manage to navigate the ridiculously complex and red tape-laden immigration process in this country provide a net benefit to the economy.
I DO agree that it is better for all concerned if the immigration process is quick and efficient so that immigrants can work here in a productive AND documented manner, but its definitely possible (and its true in this country without question) that a immigration system can be so broken that immigrants can arrive and work productively and UNdocumented by the state. The state and the economy are not the same.
3) your comments about Tren de Aragua tell me you might be watching too much Fox News. To the extent that a gang problem exists in this country, it is a CRIME problem not an immigrant problem. As this podcast points out, the Trump administration indiscriminate deportation actions are helping that not at all, since the overwhelming percentage of the people they are stopping, detaining, deporting are NOT violent people. Even among those convicted of crimes, the majority of them are NON-violent offenders.
The Trump administration drive for maximizing the sheer number of deportations must seem like manna from heaven to gangs like MS-13 and TDA because they can operate in this country knowing the authorities are spread thin trying to deport ANYONE who looks brown. Talk about being to operate in plain sight.
4) likewise, you description of the situation in SF is a crime problem, not an immigration problem. Furthermore, its a local crime problem. The idea that legal immigration of any kind in this country should be stopped or restricted significantly because of the crime problem in one or a few cities is myopic in the extreme.
5) You should actually listen to the podcast here. There was NO open borders policy. Not even under Biden. That is MAGA claptrap.
Finally, if there is a deflection going on here, the deflection is yours. The deflection is the MAGA deflection that started when Trump glided down his golden escalator and ever since then, a deflection that argues MAGA folks like yourself would be okay with immigration IF ONLY it was legal.
Yet, its clear from your comment, from other comments here, from the MASS DEPORTATIONS NOW signs at the Republican convention that re-nominated Trump, from the every social media post from the MAGA community and from the operation of the Trump administration this term that the nationalist impulse has zilch to do with the documented/undocumented distinction and everything to do with the xenophobia at the heart of the policy.
It's inevitable that another violent crime by an undocumented immigrant will claim an innocent American life—a tragic reality I wish we could prevent. But if it must happen, let it awaken those who dismiss border security, rather than those who recognize it's essential for protecting our communities. And let it affect not those that advocate for secure borders but those that support open borders and sanctuary cities.
Uncontrolled immigration of the legal and illegal variety are HUGE benefit for democrat politicians who need bodies for apportionment and for republicans who like labor rates driven down, that much is true. For left wingers hell bent on transforming us into God know what, unrestricted immigration where population groups are encouraged not to assimilate accomplishes their goal of radical colonization.
For the working men and women of America who have to deal with skyrocketing housing prices (among other things) and depressed wages maybe not so much.
Completely incorrect on all points. Your xenophobia is now obvious.
1) Immigration is a net benefit to the economy, the documented evidence is crystal clear and unassailable. Its frankly even more than just a net benefit; its completely NECESSARY for a growing economy and to sustain the social safety net. Americans just aren't having enough children, and even if they were, they aren't about to have their children become landscapers and roofers.
2) Skyrocketing housing prices have everything to due with the difficulties in building new housing (government red tape, zoning laws) and zilch to due with immigrants, who, once again, we NEED in order to sustain the labor needs of the industry.
3) There's no indication immigrants are invariably democratic voters. Indeed, given the countries they come from and their religious background, they are fertile ground for the GOP if that party wasn't so intolerant.
4) The United States is an assimilation machine unparalleled in the world at turning immigrants into proud members of the country they immigrated to. This country is so good at it, we assimilate people before they even get here. American pop culture and our economy turns people into Americans before they even get here.
The path forward is clear: Prioritize legal, vetted immigration to build a stronger nation. Until we address the risks of unchecked, undocumented entry—through secure borders and enforcement—we're inviting chaos and hardship. Let's fix this now for a safer, more prosperous future.
Immediately deport all undocumented immigrants and prosecute the fraudsters who funded their entry. This isn't what Americans voted for—it's a calculated globalist agenda designed to undermine our sovereignty. We must reclaim control through strict enforcement and border security to protect our nation's future.
America is a nation built by immigrants—but legal ones who follow the rules and contribute to our society. Not the unchecked chaos unleashed under Biden's open-border policies, which have strained resources and compromised security. It's time to restore order through vetted, merit-based immigration.
The collateral damage coming from ALL the ICE activities lie solely at the feet of Liberals.
For 4 years Democrats OPENED WIDE the borders to ILLEGAL aliens, forcing the hand of Conservatives to stop it.
For the last year, Democrats have been demonizing ICE and inciting the general public to rise up against them, JUST AS LIBERALS DID THE SAME DURING THE BLM RIOTS.
So Liberals have both created the situation that forced Republicans hands to clean up their mess, and they've created the disastrous situation of pitting the general public against the Government.
Like pawns in chess, Liberals have moved pieces against the law, against ICE and against logic and reason.
Anybody who supports lawlessness including the lawlessness of allowing Illegals in freely, the lawlessness of opposing Federal law enforcement, and finally the lawlessness of the 'defund the police' movement which caused a massive increase in crime across the country should be ashamed of themselves, and they should be investigated and be held accountable.
What is happening lies solely at the feet of Liberals at this point and it's clear as day to anyone who is willing to objectively consider the facts.
The most important question is this:
Why were Democrats not opposed to all previous Democrats like Clinton, Obama or Hilary for removing illegal aliens en masse?
I am a longtime border hawk who believes that most of the many millions of impoverished migrants that the Biden-Harris administration admitted need to leave or be removed, but I am also uncomfortable with the excesses and cruelty of the Trump approach. I would welcome a fair and nuanced conversation about how to reform the immigration system in humane fashion to balance humanitarianism with the material interests of American citizens, but Cato's David Bier is simply not a credible voice on this issue. He is an advocate and cheerleader rather than a sober policy analyst.
The asylum system was never meant to apply to economic migrants. There is no meaningful difference between an illegal immigrant who illegally sneaks into the country and an "asylum seeker" admitted into the country "legally" on a bogus asylum claim, as the vast majority of those asylum claims will be rejected in seven or eight years and the vast majority of those people will melt into the shadows as illegal immigrants at that time. Presumably, Bier will then argue that they've put down roots and deserve a path to citizenship despite having committed asylum fraud and refused deportation orders. Along a similar line, the Biden administration handed out Temporary Protected Status like candy. It's sophistry to insist that those who have had TPS rescinded were "legal immigrants" rather than short-term guests.
I hope that in the future this publication revisits immigration with a more nuanced and responsible thinker. America badly needs a compromise on migration combining the legalization of millions of people who have resided in the U.S. for a very long time without criminal records with actual stringent enforcement at the border and worksites so that illegal immigration doesn't come roaring back on a grander scale as occurred after the 1986 amnesty. A compromise means neither side gets everything that it wants. Bier's silly contention that Biden-Harris "fixed the immigration system," when their policies were so unpopular that they alienated even the Latino vote, suggests that he is unserious and uninterested in seeking a good faith compromise. Indeed, his maximalism actively makes the likelihood of any sort of reasonable compromise that much more remote.
This was an excellent podcast! Well done!
Mr. Bier and Cato's immigration defense is one of the main reasons I am still a Cato donor. Mr. Bier's work in this area is superb.
One note of pessimism: David points out that the Biden administration dithered on fixing the immigration system and that created the well-documented chaos at the border and I get, but lets be honest: MAGA doesn't like immigration of ANY kind, even in a fully-functional, Biden-implemented immigration system that resulted in 100% legal immigration would STILL have the result of people of different ethnicities, races, and religions assimilating into this country, and that is intolerable to MAGA.
You are not a mind reader, and simply CANNOT judge intent. Judge actions.
Were you opposed to Democrats like Clinton, Obama and Hilary who ALL CAMPAIGNED on removing illegal aliens and who actually removed more than Trump?
Americans have been left two choice on immigration: defacto open borders vs mass deportation. Given those are my only two choices I say deport every man woman and child who is here illegally.
way wrong answer, since immigrants are a significant net benefit, documented or not.
Furthermore, anyone making the ghastly suggestion in your second statement is quite rightly described as a xenophobe, and probably not interested in hearing about the benefits immigrants provide.
Way wrong answer. Immigrants can be a net benefit when they come legally through a proper process — but claiming all immigrants, documented or not, are a 'significant net benefit' ignores reality. Recent data shows massive overall economic boosts from immigration (like CBO projections of trillions in GDP growth), but that's largely from skilled, vetted legal entrants who pay taxes and fill jobs productively.
The big problem is illegal entry bypassing any vetting. Not every undocumented person adds to the greater good — some are straight-up dangerous. Look at the Tren de Aragua gang members who walked right into our country under lax border policies: DHS reports multiple cases of TdA suspects illegally crossing, getting released into American communities, then committing or being tied to violent crimes like assaults, trafficking, and attacks on law enforcement (e.g., recent incidents in places like Portland and Elgin). We've seen thousands of TdA arrests/deportations since early 2025, plus ongoing operations targeting MS-13 and others who slipped through earlier. I live in SF I know firsthand how bad it is. We moved out two years ago because of the uptick in violence and drugs on the street.
That's why legal immigration exists: a real process that requires effort, proves character and work ethic, and weeds out threats like gang members — not open borders where violent criminals just walk in. Calling anyone who wants secure borders and rules a 'xenophobe' is just deflection. We can welcome good immigrants while keeping out the bad ones. Fuck the blind ideology that ignores victims of these failures. Secure the damn border first. You lefty scum!
Allow me to quickly dispense with each of your errors here. Or at least as many of them as I can. There are a lot.
1) I never claimed "ALL" immigrants are a net benefit. That's a strawman. No sane person would make such an argument. My point was obviously that immigrants in the aggregate are a net benefit.
And they are. They are a net benefit to the economy and to the coffers of the federal and state governments. I recommend the plethora of excellent immigration work at Cato that confirms this. But for the purpose of this post, its silly to suggest that the benefit we get from immigrants is ONLY from high skilled entrants. Immigrants fill jobs at all levels of the economy, from the entrepreneurs at the most valuable tech company, all the way down to the most labor intensive, entry level jobs. The labor shortages in this country that are starving for immigrants to fill them are in all sectors of the economy, and they all keep the engine running. Xenophobes can't on the one hand say that immigrants take the jobs of Americans of lesser skill levels...then suggest that its only the highly skilled ones who are producing value.
2) Its fatuous to suggest that ONLY immigrants who manage to navigate the ridiculously complex and red tape-laden immigration process in this country provide a net benefit to the economy.
I DO agree that it is better for all concerned if the immigration process is quick and efficient so that immigrants can work here in a productive AND documented manner, but its definitely possible (and its true in this country without question) that a immigration system can be so broken that immigrants can arrive and work productively and UNdocumented by the state. The state and the economy are not the same.
3) your comments about Tren de Aragua tell me you might be watching too much Fox News. To the extent that a gang problem exists in this country, it is a CRIME problem not an immigrant problem. As this podcast points out, the Trump administration indiscriminate deportation actions are helping that not at all, since the overwhelming percentage of the people they are stopping, detaining, deporting are NOT violent people. Even among those convicted of crimes, the majority of them are NON-violent offenders.
The Trump administration drive for maximizing the sheer number of deportations must seem like manna from heaven to gangs like MS-13 and TDA because they can operate in this country knowing the authorities are spread thin trying to deport ANYONE who looks brown. Talk about being to operate in plain sight.
4) likewise, you description of the situation in SF is a crime problem, not an immigration problem. Furthermore, its a local crime problem. The idea that legal immigration of any kind in this country should be stopped or restricted significantly because of the crime problem in one or a few cities is myopic in the extreme.
5) You should actually listen to the podcast here. There was NO open borders policy. Not even under Biden. That is MAGA claptrap.
Finally, if there is a deflection going on here, the deflection is yours. The deflection is the MAGA deflection that started when Trump glided down his golden escalator and ever since then, a deflection that argues MAGA folks like yourself would be okay with immigration IF ONLY it was legal.
Yet, its clear from your comment, from other comments here, from the MASS DEPORTATIONS NOW signs at the Republican convention that re-nominated Trump, from the every social media post from the MAGA community and from the operation of the Trump administration this term that the nationalist impulse has zilch to do with the documented/undocumented distinction and everything to do with the xenophobia at the heart of the policy.
It's inevitable that another violent crime by an undocumented immigrant will claim an innocent American life—a tragic reality I wish we could prevent. But if it must happen, let it awaken those who dismiss border security, rather than those who recognize it's essential for protecting our communities. And let it affect not those that advocate for secure borders but those that support open borders and sanctuary cities.
https://open.substack.com/pub/manofsteele/p/the-leftists-march-for-renee-not?r=6alom&utm_medium=ios&shareImageVariant=overlay
Yes, more quality learing centers are an essential net benefit to America.
Uncontrolled immigration of the legal and illegal variety are HUGE benefit for democrat politicians who need bodies for apportionment and for republicans who like labor rates driven down, that much is true. For left wingers hell bent on transforming us into God know what, unrestricted immigration where population groups are encouraged not to assimilate accomplishes their goal of radical colonization.
For the working men and women of America who have to deal with skyrocketing housing prices (among other things) and depressed wages maybe not so much.
Completely incorrect on all points. Your xenophobia is now obvious.
1) Immigration is a net benefit to the economy, the documented evidence is crystal clear and unassailable. Its frankly even more than just a net benefit; its completely NECESSARY for a growing economy and to sustain the social safety net. Americans just aren't having enough children, and even if they were, they aren't about to have their children become landscapers and roofers.
2) Skyrocketing housing prices have everything to due with the difficulties in building new housing (government red tape, zoning laws) and zilch to due with immigrants, who, once again, we NEED in order to sustain the labor needs of the industry.
3) There's no indication immigrants are invariably democratic voters. Indeed, given the countries they come from and their religious background, they are fertile ground for the GOP if that party wasn't so intolerant.
4) The United States is an assimilation machine unparalleled in the world at turning immigrants into proud members of the country they immigrated to. This country is so good at it, we assimilate people before they even get here. American pop culture and our economy turns people into Americans before they even get here.
You continue to judge intent when it is impossible to do.
It's not xenophobia to dislike having illegal immigrants pour into a country to radicalize it. It's logic.
Or do you keep the front door to your home open to all strangers?
And it is also an offense against EVERY SINGLE IMMIGRANT WHO CHOSE TO APPLY AND IMMIGRATE LEGALLY.
This sort of twisting of logic and truth that you are doing is precisely why the public has been incited to violence against federal law enforcement.
The path forward is clear: Prioritize legal, vetted immigration to build a stronger nation. Until we address the risks of unchecked, undocumented entry—through secure borders and enforcement—we're inviting chaos and hardship. Let's fix this now for a safer, more prosperous future.
Immediately deport all undocumented immigrants and prosecute the fraudsters who funded their entry. This isn't what Americans voted for—it's a calculated globalist agenda designed to undermine our sovereignty. We must reclaim control through strict enforcement and border security to protect our nation's future.
America is a nation built by immigrants—but legal ones who follow the rules and contribute to our society. Not the unchecked chaos unleashed under Biden's open-border policies, which have strained resources and compromised security. It's time to restore order through vetted, merit-based immigration.
I support ICE
Preach!
Repost from another substack.
The collateral damage coming from ALL the ICE activities lie solely at the feet of Liberals.
For 4 years Democrats OPENED WIDE the borders to ILLEGAL aliens, forcing the hand of Conservatives to stop it.
For the last year, Democrats have been demonizing ICE and inciting the general public to rise up against them, JUST AS LIBERALS DID THE SAME DURING THE BLM RIOTS.
So Liberals have both created the situation that forced Republicans hands to clean up their mess, and they've created the disastrous situation of pitting the general public against the Government.
Like pawns in chess, Liberals have moved pieces against the law, against ICE and against logic and reason.
Anybody who supports lawlessness including the lawlessness of allowing Illegals in freely, the lawlessness of opposing Federal law enforcement, and finally the lawlessness of the 'defund the police' movement which caused a massive increase in crime across the country should be ashamed of themselves, and they should be investigated and be held accountable.
What is happening lies solely at the feet of Liberals at this point and it's clear as day to anyone who is willing to objectively consider the facts.
The most important question is this:
Why were Democrats not opposed to all previous Democrats like Clinton, Obama or Hilary for removing illegal aliens en masse?
I am a longtime border hawk who believes that most of the many millions of impoverished migrants that the Biden-Harris administration admitted need to leave or be removed, but I am also uncomfortable with the excesses and cruelty of the Trump approach. I would welcome a fair and nuanced conversation about how to reform the immigration system in humane fashion to balance humanitarianism with the material interests of American citizens, but Cato's David Bier is simply not a credible voice on this issue. He is an advocate and cheerleader rather than a sober policy analyst.
The asylum system was never meant to apply to economic migrants. There is no meaningful difference between an illegal immigrant who illegally sneaks into the country and an "asylum seeker" admitted into the country "legally" on a bogus asylum claim, as the vast majority of those asylum claims will be rejected in seven or eight years and the vast majority of those people will melt into the shadows as illegal immigrants at that time. Presumably, Bier will then argue that they've put down roots and deserve a path to citizenship despite having committed asylum fraud and refused deportation orders. Along a similar line, the Biden administration handed out Temporary Protected Status like candy. It's sophistry to insist that those who have had TPS rescinded were "legal immigrants" rather than short-term guests.
I hope that in the future this publication revisits immigration with a more nuanced and responsible thinker. America badly needs a compromise on migration combining the legalization of millions of people who have resided in the U.S. for a very long time without criminal records with actual stringent enforcement at the border and worksites so that illegal immigration doesn't come roaring back on a grander scale as occurred after the 1986 amnesty. A compromise means neither side gets everything that it wants. Bier's silly contention that Biden-Harris "fixed the immigration system," when their policies were so unpopular that they alienated even the Latino vote, suggests that he is unserious and uninterested in seeking a good faith compromise. Indeed, his maximalism actively makes the likelihood of any sort of reasonable compromise that much more remote.