Every year, because of the generosity of the Legal Intelligencer, I am provided with an opportunity to write a piece for publication and every year I am provided guidelines for the piece, including, but not limited to, instructions to talk about a substantive issue. While I certainly could talk about a recent immigration decision and its impact or implications, or a recently passed regulation, I find myself compelled in this moment to talk about a much broader issue related to immigration: work authorization and why that and increased migrant welcoming is critical for all of us.

As another day ticks toward the end of the temporary agreement to keep our federal government running, the line in the sand seems to be our Southern border and the broader issue of immigrant and refugee admissions. I agree with what many Republicans have said, tying our country's economic survival and health to our Southern border is necessary. But not because we need to keep more people out.