Among the most contentious of today’s policymaking challenges is the issue of immigration. Comprehensive reform has languished for more than a decade, locked in political stalemate, despite near consensus that the nation’s immigration system is fundamentally broken. All the while, significant contributions to U.S. innovation and economic competitiveness have been stymied by existing immigration provisions. What does the historical and cultural context of immigration reform tell us about prospects for legislative action? What are the impediments facing implementing effective policy? What are the implications of reform along electoral and party lines?

This conference looked beyond the travails of a "broken" legislature slouching toward immigration reform. Featuring eminent scholars from political science, economics, and law along with practitioners and policymakers, the conference focused on three topics: The Historical, Legislative and Cultural Context for Immigration Reform; Prospects and Promise for Workplace and Border Security; and the Implications of Reform for Electoral and Party Alignments.