Broken Promises: The Legal Immigration Trap
Why America’s Immigrants are Stranded in Limbo
An Episcopalian bishop unexpectedly found herself at the heart of a political storm. On January 21, 2025, during the National Prayer Service at Washington National Cathedral, Bishop Mariann Edgar Budde delivered a carefully disguised diatribe to President Donald Trump. Her message was clear: more compassion, fewer solutions, to solve America’s immigration nightmare. If she were looking for genuine compassion, she’d be asking him for more common sense.
“And as you told the nation yesterday, you have felt the providential hand of a loving God,” she blurted out from the pulpit as if God was giving her dictation. In the name of our God, I ask you to have mercy on the people in our country who are scared now.”
Regardless of whether one sympathizes with her plea or dismisses it as Left-wing idealism, noting that she resides in a $2 million mansion and appeared on CNN the moment after her pulpit harangue, one truth is undeniable: America’s immigration system is failing — both for legal and illegal immigrants.
The Challenges of Legal Immigration
Anna, a French professor at an Ivy League college, stands at the front of her classroom, passionately discussing the existentialism of Jean-Paul Sartre and the artistry of French cinema. For over a decade, she has shaped young minds while calling the United States her home. Yet, despite her brilliance, accolades, and deep ties to the country, Anna remains unwanted by the immigration system.
Her H-1B visa is about to expire, as it has many times before. Every three years, Anna must pack her bags, leave her students, and reapply for the visa that allows her to stay in the U.S. With each renewal, the uncertainty grows, and the clock ticks closer to the six-year limit — a hard stop unless extraordinary circumstances allow for an extension.
Each application requires filing Form I-129 with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), a labyrinthine and costly process estimated at $10,000–$20,000 — an overwhelming expense on a professor’s salary. For ten years, Anna has also entered the Diversity Visa Lottery, desperately hoping for a chance at permanent residency, but she’s never been selected.
Anna’s story is a testament to the profound need for immigration reform. Despite her invaluable contributions to academia, the system repeatedly places her in limbo, forcing her to live as a perpetual outsider in the country she loves.
The Border Paradox
While Anna struggles within the confines of the legal system, María faces a different battle. Clutching her young son’s hand, María stands at the U.S.-Mexico border, having fled gang violence in Guatemala. On the other hand, she carries a folder with a birth certificate for her son, a letter from her pastor, an unverified identification document, and her fragile hope.
In the pre-dawn hours, María and her son join a line at an official port of entry, preparing to request asylum. Her goal: was to pass the “credible fear” interview, proving that returning to Guatemala would put their lives in danger. When her turn comes, she explains the gang’s threats after refusing to let her teenage son join their ranks.
The officer listens and informs María that she and her son will be taken to a detention center for further processing. After several days, they are released with a notice to appear in immigration court — an opportunity to stay in the U.S. temporarily while their case is adjudicated. She is granted work authorization, giving her a chance to support her son, but the immigration court backlog means her case may take years to resolve.
María finds work as a cleaner in a small restaurant, her son enrolls in school, and for the first time in months, they feel safe. They disappear into the system. María sees herself as one of the lucky ones.
Meanwhile, people like Anna, who follow the legal process, wait endlessly for a chance that never seems to come.
Why Bureaucracy Stands in the Way
Both Anna and María represent an immigration system desperately in need of reform. Their stories underscore the need for common sense and a streamlined pathway to citizenship — one that balances fairness with opportunity. Too often, the system closes one door to those following legal avenues while leaving another indefinitely ajar for those forced to navigate it illegally. America’s promise should not be one of broken dreams but a beacon of opportunity for those willing to work hard, contribute, and thrive.
This disparity creates the perception that asylum seekers entering without prior authorization often secure temporary residence and work opportunities faster than those adhering to traditional legal channels. Yet both paths are fraught with difficulty, leaving immigrants stranded in limbo.
A Path Forward
To rebuild a just and effective immigration system, America must address these challenges head-on. Reform could unlock the full potential of immigrants like Anna and María by:
- Tapping into Global Talent: Simplifying pathways for skilled professionals like Anna would enhance America’s economy and global competitiveness.
- Supporting Community Growth: Encouraging legal immigration sustains communities that rely on immigrant contributions.
- Upholding Genuine Humanitarian Values: Creating fair and transparent pathways for asylum seekers like María reaffirms America’s identity as a beacon of hope.
The author is the former Publisher of Forbes Magazine and CEO of Elon Musk’s first startup company. He is a legal immigrant.
