Are U.S. Immigration & Refugee Programs a Thing of the Past?
“Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free.” – Emma Lazarus
Many are familiar with the phrase. Most correctly associate it with a plaque at the Statue of Liberty. Did you know the line is from a sonnet penned by Emma Lazarus as part of a fundraiser for the Statue of Liberty site? This is a powerful message, guiding principle, and reality by which the United States has followed and known, since before the birth of the nation. To many at home and abroad, Lady Liberty has served as a symbol of welcome and freedom for immigrants and others.
Recently, if you have followed the news, many have called into question the immigration policies of governments the world over, not solely here in the United States. Many in leadership positions throughout the country are talking. We took a brief look at immigration in the U.S., and some of the associated activity in the public sector.
As it pertains to here in the U.S., the American Immigration Council, in their report on August 12th, 2016, clarifies some key points, “The Immigration and Naturalization Act (INA), the body of law governing current immigration policy, provides for an annual worldwide limit of 675,000 permanent immigrants, with certain exceptions for close family members. Lawful permanent residency allows a foreign national to work and live lawfully and permanently in the United States. Lawful permanent residents (LPRs) are eligible to apply for nearly all jobs (i.e., jobs not legitimately restricted to U.S. citizens) and can remain in the country even if they are unemployed.” They also point out, “Annually, Congress and the President determine a separate number for refugee admissions.” To review the full report, and I recommend you do so, go here.
This week, Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos, Apple CEO Tim Cook, Ginni Rometty of IBM, and a group of other CEOs are at the White House in Washington D.C. for “Technology Week”. On the docket are a number of significant subjects which impact the technology industry, to include immigration. The results will be interesting. In Tim Cook’s opinion, shared by others, there are a number of economic values which immigrants provide to the U.S. economy and communities. Many are calling for revision to some of the current restrictions and laws. All in the name of helping the technology, healthcare, science, engineering and other industries to address their workforce demands and current shortfalls.
By the numbers? In their report on U.S. immigration, published on April 20, 2017, the Center for American Progress noted the following:
Foreign-born population:
– Approximately 43.3 million foreign-born people live in the United States.
– The number of foreign-born individuals in the U.S. population has more than quadrupled since 1965 and is expected to reach 78 million by 2065.
– Today, women outnumber men in the foreign-born population.
Unauthorized immigrant population:
– In recent years, the unauthorized population has declined slightly after continued growth for decades.
– Six states are home to the majority of the unauthorized population.
– The majority of unauthorized immigrants are long-term residents of the United States.
Full report from the Center for American Progress.
So what is being done by U.S. state, local, and federal governments to address immigration, assist refugees, etc..? In the twelve months preceding this report, there were 125 bid requests, specifically relating to “immigration” and “refugees”, those keywords in the bid/solicitation titles. See below for actual, active bid requests.
U.S. regions with the most bid requests being submitted:
California
New York
Colorado
Florida
U.S. entities with the most bid requests being submitted:
United Nations Global Marketplace – UNGM (New York)
Department of Children and Families (Florida)
State of Massachusetts
State of Washington
Sample active bids / RFPs
Immigration & Refugee Bid Requests
Undoubtedly, immigration will continue to be an important topic here in the U.S. and elsewhere. Due to the complex nature of the subject, it is safe to suspect that ‘Technology Week’ will not provide all of the solutions. As it pertains to immigration, refugees, migration, and similar areas, we will continue to monitor, and report on, what U.S. governments are doing. If you, or your business, provide services/solutions applicable to these needs, we have established that there are purchases being made, and contracts executed, which are originating throughout the public sector.
For bid requests related to “immigration”, “refugee”, and similar, or to discuss this report, please call us at 888.808.5356 or visit BidPrime.