Four experts debate whether Obama's immigration reform plan, including an expanded path to legalization, would help or harm U.S. workers and economic growth.

Mildrade Cherfils of the Global Post discusses the recent recommendation by French lawmakers to forbid women from wearing head-to-toe Islamic dress in some public spaces, and how this proposed law relates to the question of "French identity," including issues of immigration, integration and religion.

The recession has added fuel to the debate over skilled-worker visas, including a recent congressional effort to create stricter rules. CFR's Jagdish Bhagwati says the United States should be welcoming skilled workers and other immigrants.

This year's Nobelists demonstrate the United States' success in science. But Edward Alden argues that we are jeopardizing this success through shortsighted immigration restrictions that make it difficult for the most talented and ambitious scientists to come here and remain.

This Brookings Institution Governance Studies Event examines the difficulties of immigration reform and proposes a number of policy changes.

Edward Alden, CFR senior fellow and director of U.S. Immigration Policy, a CFR-Sponsored Independent Task Force Report, discusses immigration policy online with Politico readers.

This Task Force report offers a strategy for maintaining America's political and economic leadership by attracting skilled immigrants, a program of legalization for those living in the United States illegally, and steps for securing the country's borders in an effective and humane way.

This module features teaching notes by CFR Senior Fellow Edward Alden, author of The Closing of the American Border: Terrorism, Immigration, and Security Since 9/11, along with other resources to supplement the text. In this book, Mr. Alden examines the complicated interplay between the United States' need for homeland security and economic openness in the wake of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.

Jeb Bush, Thomas F. McLarty III, and Edward Alden discuss the recent Independent Task Force on Immigration Policy and argue, "Getting immigration policy right is fundamental to [U.S.] national interests -- our economic vitality, our diplomacy and our national security."

The Task Force on U.S. Immigration Policy argues that the failure to reform immigration laws and procedures threatens to harm America's economy, jeopardize its diplomacy, and weaken its national security. It makes the case that maintaining America's political and economic leadership depends on attracting talented and hard-working immigrants, and on securing the country's borders in a smart, effective, and humane way. The report urges Congress and the administration to undertake a new comprehensive reform effort with three central components: the creation of a more efficient legal immigration system that responds to labor market needs and enhances U.S. competitiveness; a strong enforcement regime that secures U.S. borders and ends the hiring of unauthorized workers; and a program of earned legalization that will offer an opportunity for many illegal immigrants to earn the right to remain in the United States.

Tamar Jacoby says the political landscape shifted enough that it is possible for the dynamics of immigration reform to change this time.

Joe Contreras, former Latin America bureau chief for Newsweek, says while Mexico and the United States step up engagement on battling drug traffickers, another priority--immigration reform--is unlikely to get top U.S. attention.

The Development, Relief, and Education for Alien Minors Act of 2009 (DREAM Act) was first introduced in the Senate in 2001 and reintroduced in 2009.

Former Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff says a combination of tough enforcement measures and a new system for regulating flows of Mexican labor are essential for reforming the U.S. immigration system.

While immigration reform usually refers to unskilled labor, skilled immigration requires different policy action. Bhagwati and Hanson bring together today's foremost immigration experts to examine the phenomenon.

New research shows that highly skilled workers are returning home for brighter career prospects and a better quality of life.