Immigration attorney Ken Robinson presented on recent changes to immigration policy and the challenges associated with immigration to the United States at the Bexley Public Library March 11.
Robinson explained immigration policy has been changed in ways that make it harder for people to enter the country and earn citizenship.
“The immigration system has changed in such a way that I barely recognize it,” he said.
New regulations make vetting processes more strict, increase wait times for visas and green cards and expand the number of countries restricted from immigration. In some cases, immigrants may have to wait months or years to have their citizenship approved in court, Robinson said.
A major backlog in immigration courts is delaying millions of cases, with some taking up to a decade to resolve, he added.
“This creates uncertainty for many immigrants, especially those seeking asylum from war, natural disaster or other dangers in their home country,” Robinson said. “Approval rates for asylum have begun to drop to only 25 to 30%, leaving many unsure about their future.”
The policy changes made by the Trump administration have also limited opportunities for immigrants once they arrive in the U.S., Robinson said. For example, immigrants seeking asylum are no longer allowed to work, making it harder for them to support themselves and their
families. Additionally, the validity period of green cards has been shortened, forcing immigrants to renew their legal status more frequently.
Robinson said immigration has a positive impact on the economy.
“Economists agree that immigrants benefit the country more than they take away from it,” he said. “They contribute to the economy, pay taxes and help keep the population and workforce growing.”
Without immigration, everyday costs like food and housing would become far more expensive because there would be shortages of workers in industries that depend on immigrants for labor, he said.
Robinson also addressed common misconceptions about immigration during the discussion. Contrary to popular belief, he explained, most immigrants do pay taxes, and they rarely qualify for public benefits.
If an immigrant does utilize public benefits, it increases their likelihood of being deported, he added.
Robinson explained immigration policy is complicated, but recent changes affect real people’s lives.
“The excuse that it gets worse before it gets better is not an excuse to let it get worse,” Robinson said.
Published and digitized April 2026.
