George Will’s Shift on Immigration Policy
George Will, a veteran commentator, has made a surprising turn in his long-held views on immigration, which he has championed since the Reagan era.
After 50 years of advocating for mass immigration, he recently signaled a significant shift in his stance through a single word in a column discussing the slowing population growth amidst President Trump’s low-immigration policies.
There’s one promising solution: increasing skilled immigration to our country.
Currently, Will emphasizes “skilled immigration,” a notable change from his earlier support for large-scale migration.
This pivot marks a substantial departure for the 84-year-old, whose op-ed columns have influenced various generations since 1974.
By focusing on “skilled,” Will seems to advocate for a limited influx of highly productive individuals, suggesting they would complement, rather than overshadow, the American workforce.
However, for decades, Will has praised elite-driven mass immigration, which has turned American suburban politics into a site of intense ethnic conflicts.
This approach welcomed millions from regions like South America, Africa, India, and China. While there are benefits to this diversity, it has also enabled a consumer economy reliant on low-wage, taxpayer-subsidized jobs.
These immigrant populations have bolstered the Democratic Party’s reach in cities like New York, Denver, and Los Angeles, presenting a challenge to the small government principles that Will has traditionally supported, especially as he represents a dwindling type of establishment figure.
Moreover, the previous mass immigration policies may have reduced market pressures on employers to offer better wages and invest in technologies that could enhance labor conditions and productivity.
This sympathy from elites for immigrants often masked a kind of condescension toward them. Will, in a past era, penned thoughtful columns aimed at college graduates to promote such policies.
In 2014, he expressed disappointment when the Republican base blocked an immigration reform bill, suggesting that only substantial immigration could reinvigorate the nation.
The Republican departure from immigration reform reflects a waning confidence in American culture and the belief that the Republican Party alone can restore the nation’s economic vigor.
By 2022, the U.S. population stood at around 333 million, with suggestions that a well-regulated immigration policy could boost that number significantly.
Even in mid-2024, he continued to prioritize mass immigration as a means to replenish the workforce.
This country… needs many legal immigrants to sustain its workforce. Failing to provide this is second only to the state’s financial mismanagement.
Will seems troubled by the public’s turn towards President Trump’s populist and anti-immigrant policies, having previously critiqued Trump as a childish leader.
In his earlier support for diversity, Will also faced rejection from patriotic Americans toward established leaders, and now he reflects on this turmoil and loss.
However, the American public carries stories rich in both struggles and successes. Perhaps Will might consider reclaiming a more relatable stance as a supporter of the everyday citizen.
If that’s the case, his first focus could be on maintaining the talent of American college graduates to bolster the nation’s youth. A fitting topic might be, “America is losing its most valuable asset: its people.”
