Stephen Miller has grown to be one of the most recognizable figures in American politics and politics news. He recently assumed a major role as Deputy Chief of Staff for Policy in the administration of President-elect Donald Trump. Through this hardline stance of his, he has been quite vocal on immigration; Miller may prove to be an influential voice in the formation and future of U.S. immigration policy, especially regarding deportations and border security.
Early life and political rise
Miller was born in 1985 in Santa Monica, California, where his political rise was early on display. He attended Santa Monica High School, went on to graduate from Duke University, where he became active in conservative politics. His early career saw him as a press secretary for Congresswoman Michele Bachmann and then working for Senator Jeff Sessions, who would become an influential mentor.
His association with Sessions and the Tea Party movement, which strongly emphasized hardline immigration controls and national sovereignty, was integral to the ideological development of Miller. Miller rose to prominence during Trump’s 2016 presidential campaign, when he served as a senior policy adviser. Through much of Trump’s presidency, he remained in his post and became notorious for being one of the chief architects of high-profile immigration policies from the administration.
Key policies and controversies
In his time with the Trump administration, he was instrumental in pushing through some of the best publicized policies, which have gained both fans and critics alike. These include:
- Zero tolerance policy: Probably the most recognizable, Miller’s “zero tolerance” policy was the one that separated migrant children from their parents upon arrival in the U.S.-Mexico border. While this generated widespread outrage and a number of legal challenges, it felt iconically reflective of the hardline position championed by Miller.
- Travel ban: Miller was on the front lines in helping to draft a travel ban for several mainly Muslim countries. It was labeled a national security measure; many labeled it discriminatory.
- Reducing refugee admissions: The Trump administration, under the influence of Miller, cut refugee admissions into the country, which fit his narrative to limit immigration.
- Public charge rules: He supported rules prohibiting green cards to immigrants who would probably end up dependent on public assistance, setting the bar higher in the field of immigration qualifications.
These policies reflect a consistent philosophy of Miller: placing the interests of national security above those of humanitarianism and seeking significant reductions in immigration through restrictive measures of all types.
Restoring power
Miller’s new appointment as Deputy Chief of Staff for Policy marks his return to center stage in devising U.S. immigration policy. It is anticipated to spill over from there into areas that may not classically come under its ambit, with effects at many different levels of governance related to immigration enforcement and border control.
As part of his new position, Miller will likely work in close collaboration with big players in the role of Thomas Homan, who was appointed “czar” for policing and border control. This is seen as a means to push through hardline deportation policies that would see more than a million undocumented immigrants deported yearly-the plan has already seen opposition from immigrant rights advocates and civil liberties groups.
Public reception and criticism
The zero-compromise attitude from Miller has polarized him to either be an effective leader or a pariah in American politics. To those who applaud him, he is the champion for American sovereignty and security; to his critics, his notion of security-based policy is but a justification for xenophobia and racism. Organizations like the Southern Poverty Law Center have labeled him an extremist because of his linkages with white nationalist ideologies and leadership in pushing policies that disproportionately hit vulnerable communities.
Also, ethical issues of transparency and governance under his influence have involved past involvements by Miller, such as trying to bury studies depicting positive impacts of refugees on U.S. society.
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