What was the political climate surrounding immigration policies in the 1990s and 2000s?

During the 1990s and 2000s, the political climate surrounding immigration policies was characterized by a combination of efforts to control illegal immigration while also promoting diversity through policy frameworks. This era saw an increase in public concern about illegal immigration, leading to legislative actions aimed at tightening border security and imposing stricter penalties on unauthorized immigrants. Concurrently, there was an acknowledgment of the importance of diversity in the U.S. through immigration. For instance, the Immigration Act of 1990 expanded the scope for legal immigration and included provisions to encourage immigration from diverse countries of origin, reflecting an intent to foster a multicultural society. Therefore, while there was a strong focus on border enforcement and control, the policies also maintained an understanding of the value of diversity in enriching American culture and society, making the mix of control and promotion of diversity the most accurate description of the political climate during this period.