Rebalancing Higher Education, Border A report by the 420 Madison Avenue, 7th Floor New York, NY 10017 the Narrative: Security, and Immigration Authored by George R. La Noue Professor Emeritus of Public Policy and Political Science University of Maryland, Baltimore County This essay reflects the research and opinions of the author and not necessarily those of any organization. Published January, 2021 Cover Design by Beck & Stone Interior Design by Chance Layton © 2020 National Association of Scholars About the National Association of Scholars Mission The National Association of Scholars is an independent member- ship association of academics and others working to sustain the tradi- tion of reasoned scholarship and civil debate in America’s colleges and universities. We uphold the standards of a liberal arts education that fosters intellectual freedom, searches for the truth, and promotes vir- tuous citizenship. What We Do We publish a quarterly journal, Academic Questions, which examines the intellectual controversies and the institutional challenges of contem- porary higher education. We publish studies of current higher education policy and prac- tice with the aim of drawing attention to weaknesses and stimulating improvements. Our website presents educated opinion and commentary on higher education, and archives our research reports for public access. NAS engages in public advocacy to pass legislation to advance the cause of higher education reform. We file friend-of-the-court briefs in legal cases defending freedom of speech and conscience and the civil rights of educators and students. We give testimony before congressional and legislative committees and engage public support for worthy reforms. NAS holds national and regional meetings that focus on important issues and public policy debates in higher education today. Membership NAS membership is open to all who share a commitment to its core principles of fostering intellectual freedom and academic excellence in American higher education. A large majority of our members are current and former faculty members. We also welcome graduate and undergraduate students, teachers, college administrators, and inde- pendent scholars, as well as non-academic citizens who care about the future of higher education. NAS members receive a subscription to our journal Academic Questions and access to a network of people who share a commitment to academic freedom and excellence. We offer opportunities to influence key aspects of contemporary higher education. Visit our website, www.nas.org, to learn more about NAS and to be- come a member. Our Recent Publications Disfigured History. 2020 Dear Colleague. 2020 Corrupting the College Board. 2020 Critical Care. 2020. The Lost History of Western Civilization. 2020. Social Justice Education in America. 2019. Separate but Equal, Again: Neo-Segregation in American Higher Education. 2019. Beach Books 2010-2019. The Irreproducibility Crisis of Modern Science. 2018. Cont ents 8 11 21 27 39 59 64 75 Cont ents Introduction Immigration and Border Control Policy: Political Context The Complexity of Immigration and Border Security The Higher Education Establishment’s Motivations The Higher Education Establishment’s Policy Preferences Debating Immigration & Border Security Policy on Campus Topics for Debate Conclusions 8 Introduction The size and characteristics of immigration to the United States have been historically contentious issues. Nevertheless, there is probably a greater partisan division on this subject than ever before. While there are several important pro-immigration expan- sionist stakeholders, one of the most vocal has been higher education. From the public statements of academic organizations, testimony and litigation sponsored by the higher education establishment, as well as student activism, there has been a consistent effort to oppose border enforcement and to expand multiple forms of immigration. Policies regarding immigration are complex. One of the unfortu- nate consequences of the near uniformity of opinion in higher education about legal and illegal immigration issues are that they are almost nev- er debated on campuses. This research report describes some of vari- ous dimensions of immigration policy and suggests topics for debate, so that students will be better informed to make their citizen decisions. A nation that does not openly and thoroughly debate the contentious poli- cy problems it faces will be subject to demagoguery from both the right and the left. 9 10 Immigration and Border Control Policy: Political Context