The steady increase in migrants requesting asylum at the U.S.-Mexico border over the last decade illustrates one of the core problems with our immigration system: There aren’t enough ways to come to the United States without a sponsor.

Laura Collins, Director of the Bush Institute-SMU Economic Growth Initiative, and Cris Ramón, Bush Institute-SMU Economic Growth Initiative Advisor, have outlined ideas to provide additional legal pathways for immigrating to the U.S. through self-petitioning.

1. Congress should build flexibility into the selection process for employment-based self-petition programs.  

2. Congress must build mechanisms to address an increase in applications in self-petitioning systems.  

3. Congress should appropriate funds to ensure U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services can effectively process immigration applications in a timely fashion. 

4. Congress should properly fund the agencies that will adjudicate the asylum cases, especially those coming from the border.  

5. The executive branch and Congress should reform asylum processes, not asylum eligibility.  

6. The executive branch should explore closer collaboration with other countries which can accept migrants. 

About the George W. Bush Institute

The George W. Bush Institute is a solution-oriented nonpartisan policy organization focused on ensuring opportunity for all, strengthening democracy, and advancing free societies. Housed within the George W. Bush Presidential Center, the Bush Institute is rooted in compassionate conservative values and committed to creating positive, meaningful, and lasting change at home and abroad. We utilize our unique platform and convening power to advance solutions to national and global issues of the day. Learn more at www.bushcenter.org

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