President Obama's first big speech on immigration reform missed opportunities to chart a political roadmap for new legislation and failed to reframe the issue's security implications, writes CFR's Edward Alden.

Edward Alden writes that "unless we begin a sensible debate on what a secure border means, and how to get there, badly needed immigration legislation will forever be hostage to an elusive goal."

Edward Alden says that the real threat to U.S. national security is not the people we fail to keep out but those we fail to invite in.

Shannon K. O'Neil testifies before the U.S. House of Representatives' Committee on Foreign Affairs and  Committee on Homeland Security on the way forward for U.S.-Mexico security cooperation.

CFR's Edward Alden analyzes the national implications of Arizona's immigration bill.

Listen to Edward Alden discuss Arizona's controversial new immigration law and its implications for comprehensive immigration reform.

CFR Senior Fellow Edward Alden discusses and fields questions on the possibility of comprehensive immigration reform in this CFR media conference call.

Arizona's new immigration law is unwise, unworkable, and probably unconstitutional. And who's to blame? Actually, the rest of the country, writes CFR's Edward Alden.

Arizona's new immigration law may force both Democrats and Republicans into a no-win situation for a tough election year.

Immigration places America at the centre of a web of global networks. So why not make it easier?

Amity Shlaes argues that immigration of skilled workers into the United States might be the key to bringing Social Security into balance without raising taxes.

Edward Alden testifies before the House Committee on Homeland Security on the obstacles preventing the U.S. government from accurately identifying those who come lawfully to the United States but then overstay their terms of entry.

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.

Edward Alden discusses the Obama administration's quiet overhaul of immigration policies.

Edward Alden argues that the Obama administration should promptly eliminate the "special registration" procedures under the National Security Entry-Exit System set up after September 11, 2001.

Listen to CFR's Edward Alden discuss the findings of the CFR-sponsored Independent Task Force on U.S. Immigration Policy, which he directed, as part of CFR's State and Local Officials Conference Call series.

Learn more about CFR's State and Local Officials Initiative.