It is a rare day when you come across a crisp vision statement on immigration to the United States. You can find one in the report of the U.S. Commission on Immigration Reform, informally known as the Jordan Commission, for its chair, Barbara Jordan (1936-1996) , a Democratic Congresswoman from Texas.

Created by the Bill Clinton’s White House,  the Commission addressed much of the major issues: family reunification, employment-based immigration, enforcement measures to stem unauthorized immigration, and numerical limits on all classes of immigrants, non-immigrants, and asylees.

Between 1994 and 1997 it issued four reports. In the last report, Becoming An American: Immigration and Immigrant Policy, the Commission defined a vision in 90 words:

“Properly-regulated immigration and immigrant policy serves the national interest by ensuring the entry of those who will contribute most to our society and helping lawful newcomers adjust to life in the United States. It must give due consideration to shifting economic realities. A well-regulated system sets priorities for admission; facilitates nuclear family reunification; gives employers access to a global labor market while protecting U.S. workers; helps to generate jobs and economic growth; and fulfills our commitment to resettle refugees as one of several elements of humanitarian protection of the persecuted.”

The Commission proposed to reduce legal immigration to 550,000 per year, down from approximately 800,000. It aimed to scale back family chain migration by prioritizing certain family relationships. It recommended a shift towards admitting highly skilled individuals as support for national interests. The Commission recommended elimination of unskilled worker admissions, and abolishment of the diversity visa lottery. It recommended vigorous enforcement and deportation policies.