A dose of realism in our immigration policy
By Easton Martin | December 16, 2025
For too long, America’s immigration policy has been guided more by idealism than by realism. President Trump has announced new restrictions limiting the entry of foreign nationals from countries that have repeatedly demonstrated deficiencies in screening, vetting, and information sharing with the United States.
This policy shift is long overdue. The United States has been generous in welcoming immigrants, but generosity without discernment creates vulnerability. Many of the countries now restricted lack reliable documentation systems, have high visa overstay rates, refuse to repatriate their citizens, or harbor active terrorist networks targeting the U.S.
A nation has a duty to protect its citizens. Preventing bad actors from exploiting weak vetting systems is common sense. A common claim is that selective immigration enforcement amounts to discrimination, but that isn’t necessarily true. It is necessary enforcement for a nation like ours whose values cannot and should not be swayed. Other nations require documentation and security cooperation before admitting visitors. The United States should expect no less.
