Root causes on the back of an envelope

• Root cause analysis is essential for addressing complex problems, but it is crucial to decide which causes are actionable and worth addressing.
• Some root causes, like the difficulty of the legal immigration process, may offer the most promise for solutions, while others are either unchangeable or undesirable to act upon.
• Complex issues, such as illegal immigration, require identifying root causes and weighing the potential consequences of addressing them, especially in a system where political and social impacts are intertwined.

A root cause analysis of illegal immigration could start with the question: “Is there a problem?” The answer is affirmative for both procedural and humanitarian reasons. From a procedural standpoint, illegal immigration creates a disconnect between written laws and real-world practices, degrading trust and performance. From a humanitarian view, it leaves migrants vulnerable to exploitation. The analysis then identifies several potential root causes, ranging from the conditions in migrants’ home countries to the challenges of the legal entry process into the U.S.

Many of the root causes identified are either beyond control or undesirable to change. For example, the U.S.’s large population, long borders, and status as a desirable place to live are facts we cannot alter. While tightening regulations on employers who hire illegal immigrants, as seen in countries like Norway and New Zealand, is theoretically possible, it raises questions about how far enforcement should go. Similarly, stricter border controls could increase false positives, frustrating legitimate travelers.

The analysis suggests that simplifying the legal immigration process may be the most promising approach. Making it easier to follow immigration laws could reduce the incentive for people to bypass them. However, achieving this solution would require political consensus, which is often difficult to attain. Addressing illegal immigration will likely require a combination of measures, with reforming immigration law at the center of any meaningful change.

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