Debate on Immigration: Should the United States Significantly Liberalize Immigration?

Dr. Bryan Caplan

Professor of Economics, George Mason University

Stephen H. Balch

Director, Institute for the Study of Western Civilization

The Free Market Institute and the Institute for the Study of Western Civilization cohosted a debate on immigration policy. Unfortunately, Dr. Herb London, President, London Center for Policy Research, had to cancel his visit to Texas Tech University at the last minute due to a medical emergency. Dr. Stephen H. Balch, Director, Institute for the Study of Western Civilization, agreed to fill in for Dr. London. Dr. Benjamin Powell, Director, Free Market Institute, moderated the debate.

Dr. Bryan Caplan is Professor of Economics at George Mason University and blogger for EconLog. Dr. Caplan is the author of The Myth of the Rational Voter, which was named "the best political book of the year" by the New York Times. He is also the author of Selfish Reasons to Have More Kids and the forthcoming volume The Case against Education. Dr. Caplan's research has been published in American Economic Review, Economic Journal, Journal of Law and Economics, and Intelligence. His popular articles have been published in the New York Times, Washington Post, and Wall Street Journal. He has appeared 20/20 and C-Span.

Dr. Herbert London is a scholar, policy analyst and think tank executive. He is currently President of the London Center for Policy Research, a member of the Council on Foreign Relations, and President Emeritus of the Hudson Institute, where he served from 1997 to 2011. Dr. London is also professor emeritus and former John M. Olin Professor of Humanities at New York University. He was responsible for creating the Gallatin School of Individualized Study in 1972 and served as its dean until 1992. The Gallatin School was organized to promote the study of "great books" and classic texts. He was also a co-founder of the National Association of Scholars of which he serves as chairman. He is the author of 21 books including Decline and Revival in Higher education, and America's Secular Challenge: The Rise of a New National Religion, as well as numerous articles and reviews.

Dr. Balch's biography is available here

The debate was held at the Rawls College of Business, Texas Tech University in Lubbock, TX, May 06, 2014.