This is very much by design. Republicans, back in the 50s and 60s, basically destroyed US immigration because of mexican farm labor. Lookup the Braseros Program and the series of mass human migrations that used to happen. This goes back to before WW1. The history is pretty fascinating.
They knew that they could make this a campaign issue so they did it. Then democrats realized they could also campaign on this issue without actually doing anything.
Then once a decade or so someone makes a few changes and the system gets fucked up again.
I'm in my late 30s and immigration has always been broken. People have always admitted it's broken. Then nobody does anything to fix it besides posturing/grandstanding for an election cycle.
They knew that they could make this a campaign issue so they did it. Then democrats realized they could also campaign on this issue without actually doing anything.
Then once a decade or so someone makes a few changes and the system gets fucked up again.
I'm in my late 30s and immigration has always been broken. People have always admitted it's broken. Then nobody does anything to fix it besides posturing/grandstanding for an election cycle.