Listen to experts discuss the history of immigration in the United States and its implications for the current immigration debate.

Listen to experts discuss the dynamics of Latin American immigration in the United States and how it is affecting current legislation.

Watch experts discuss the history of immigration in the United States and its implications for the current immigration debate.

Watch experts discuss the dynamics of Latin American immigration in the United States and how it is affecting current legislation.

Clive Crook discusses the "baffling politics" of immigration in the United States.

While immigration policy reform is long overdue, the solutions now being considered by Congress are unlikely to solve the problem, says a new Council Special Report. By creating a guest worker scheme that replicates the flaws of the current legal immigration system, Congress is failing to understand the economic incentives that drive illegal immigration. “In their efforts to gain control over illegal immigration, Congress and the administration need to be cautious that the economic costs do not outstrip the putative benefits,” warns the report, The Economic Logic of Illegal Immigration.

As Congress prepares to revive attempts at immigration reform, some experts are urging a more comprehensive look at the economics of worker flows.

This report examines the economics of illegal immigration and finds that the fiscal benefits of illegal immigration offset its costs. Further, the report finds that the flexibility provided by the illegal immigration system that benefits the U.S. economy cannot be provided by the legal immigration system.

Immigration experts Bruce Fein and Marc R. Rosenblum debate the wisdom of offering a path to citizenship for the estimated twelve million illegal immigrants in the United States.

The Urban Institute reports on the characteristics of illegal immigrants in the Los Angeles area, California, and the United States as a whole (PDF).

CFR's Julia E. Sweig says President Bush’s trip to five Latin American nations “went as badly as I expected it to.”

President Felipe Calderon has shifted the tone of U.S.-Mexico relations. But during Bush's visit he made clear he still seeks comprehensive immigration reform.  

The Bush administration and Congress may join forces on immigration reforms, but there is growing public alarm at the local impact of illegal immigrants.

Backgrounder: The new Congress shares President Bush's reform approach but new legislation is by no means assured.