Ep. 226 - Immigration "Process, Not Performance" pt. 3

This episode dismantles the most persistent myths surrounding immigration and replaces them with how the system actually works.We walk through immigration policy historically and in real time—naming the racial roots of U.S. immigration law, explaining why “just do it legally” is not a serious policy position, and breaking down the real costs, timelines, and barriers people face today.We also look at crime data, benefits myths, economic contributions, and the very real impact current enforcement strategies are having on American farmers and food systems.Topics coveredWhy immigration law has always been shaped by racePolicies that restricted Italians, Asians, and other groupsObama-era deportations vs. today’s enforcement tacticsWhy deportation numbers vary depending on who’s countingReal immigration pathways, timelines, and costsWhy asylum is slow—and dangerous to wait throughCrime data vs. fear narrativesTaxes, benefits, and economic contributionFarm labor shortages and food supply impactsWhy immigration reform is urgent—not theoreticalKey historical policies referencedChinese Exclusion Act (1882)Immigration Act of 1917Emergency Quota Act (1921)Immigration Act of 1924 (Johnson–Reed Act / National Origins Act)Immigration system & policy resourcesU.S. State Department — Visa Bulletinhttps://travel.state.gov/visa-bulletinU.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services — Asylum & Work Authorizationhttps://www.uscis.gov/asylumhttps://www.uscis.gov/i-765Migration Policy Institutehttps://www.migrationpolicy.orgCrime & data resourcesNational Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine — Immigration & Crime Summaryhttps://nap.nationalacademies.org/resource/21746/issue_brief_crime.pdfPNAS peer-reviewed study (Texas arrest data)https://www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/pnas.2014704117Cato Institute — Incarceration Rates by Immigration Statushttps://www.cato.org/policy-analysis/illegal-immigrant-incarceration-rates-2010-2023Benefits, taxes & economyNational Immigration Law Center — Benefits Eligibilityhttps://www.nilc.org/resources/overview-immeligfedprograms/Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy (ITEP)https://itep.org/undocumented-immigrants-taxes-2024/Agriculture & labor impactWisconsin Public Radio — Farm labor shortageshttps://www.wpr.org/news/deportations-worry-farmers-labor-shortage-harvestDairy Herd Management — ICE raids and dairy workforce losshttps://www.dairyherd.com/news/labor/overnight-exodus-how-ice-raid-cut-dairys-workforce-more-halfReflection questionIf the system looked then the way it looks now—who would have been allowed in at all?Support the Show — Join Our PatreonWe’ve just launched a brand new Patreon, and it’s packed with content many of you have been asking for.Subscribers get access to:Brand new exclusive videos on requested topicsStudy guides for deeper reflection and group useReference materials and sources to support further learningBehind-the-scenes content and extended conversationsIf you value thoughtful, well-researched conversations like this one—and want tools to keep exploring—Patreon is the best way to support the work and dive deeper.Support: https://patreon.com/TheDeconstructionistsPodcast👉 Join us on Patreon and help make conversations like this possible.For all things Deconstructionists check out: www.thedecontructionists.orgSpecial music provided by: Forrest Clay from the Recover EP. Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-deconstructionists1035/exclusive-contentAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy