I live in a well-to-do, middle-class neighborhood in Foothill Ranch, Calif. During my daily walk to the nearby public park, I pass a man tending to the landscape. Upon seeing me, he shuts off his noisy lawnmower, and we exchange smiles. I greet him with “buenos días,” and he kindly reciprocates. A few steps further, I notice a sign that reads “Caution: Construction in Progress.” Nearby, a couple in safety gear is repairing the sidewalk. They pause their work until I pass safely. They speak Spanish, a language I don’t, except for the occasional “buenos dias” (good day).

Later, I return home and meet José, my landscaper. He brings along his teenage son to translate for us as we discuss how to set the sprinkler timer. On Saturdays, the trash truck arrives and workers — who also converse in Spanish — collect the garbage. At the McDonald’s in our local shopping mall, many employees speak Spanish among themselves. Each encounter reminds me of my own journey as a newly arrived immigrant, and I feel a profound connection with them.

In the early 1980s, I left my native Afghanistan in the wake of the Soviet invasion. At the time, I held a law degree and was working as a public prosecutor. Newly married and with an infant daughter, we applied for refugee status. Our application was processed swiftly and approved in less than a year. With the assistance of a Catholic church, we were able to settle in St. Louis.

I started my journey with a variety of odd jobs, beginning as a dishwasher in a retirement home and working as a parking lot attendant, driving tractor-trailers, and later I served as a translator for the U.S. Army in Afghanistan for 12 years.

But those days are long gone. Today, coming to America is far more challenging. Conflicts around the world have displaced millions, and the lines at the U.S.-Mexico border grow longer as many attempt to enter illegally. Americans are increasingly frustrated with the rising influx of immigrants and are calling for stricter border controls.

President Donald Trump demonstrated his commitment to his rhetoric by deploying the military to the U.S.-Mexico border in an effort to curb the influx of migrants, which he controversially referred to as an “invasion.”

In November 2018, Trump said, “Illegal immigration affects the lives of all Americans. Illegal immigration hurts American workers, burdens American taxpayers, undermines public safety, and places enormous strain on local schools, hospitals and communities in general, taking precious resources away from the poorest Americans who need them most. Illegal immigration costs our country billions and billions of dollars each year.”

Six years later, during the Biden administration, public discontent over the federal government’s handling of immigration intensified. Over the past four years, approximately eight million people have settled in the United States, many of them unlawfully. This has led to a growing perception of a crisis at the border.

There is no doubt that Americans are right to be concerned about the safety and security of their borders.

However, the critical question remains: Can the militarization of borders solve the U.S. immigration problem?

While securing the border is indeed a government obligation, deploying the military as a solution is not a sustainable approach. It often appears more like a political maneuver aimed at domestic audiences than a substantive policy designed to address root causes or offer long-term solutions.

As Amy Pope, director general of the U.N. International Organization for Migration, wrote in Foreign Affairs magazine: “The fact that the phenomenon is so global also points to the problem with policy responses that aim to crack down on particular borders or in individual countries: today’s unprecedented levels of migration make plain that a decrepit, outdated system, built in the wake of World War II, is incapable of contending with today’s humanitarian needs, demographic trends, or labor market demands.”

Relying solely on repelling people at the border is insufficient. Instead, the focus should shift toward reforming immigration policies, addressing the global factors driving migration, and creating systems that balance humanitarian needs with national security. Only then can a lasting and effective solution be achieved.

America needs immigrants. Statistics and research consistently show that the U.S. benefits greatly from them. Immigrants have long served as America’s rocket fuel, powering the nation’s unmatched economic and cultural achievements. Nobel Prizes have been awarded to 142 immigrants to the United States. Nearly half of the companies in the Fortune 500 were founded by immigrants or their children. Blue jeans, Tesla, basketball and even the beloved anthem “God Bless America” are the work of immigrants.

The U.S. economy — and its global leadership — is at risk due to a declining population. Since its inception, the U.S. has relied on population growth to sustain economic momentum. However, recent data reveals a concerning trend. The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) has revised its 30-year U.S. population projection to 372 million residents, a 2.8% decrease from last year’s estimate. This decline is attributed to falling birth rates and lower anticipated immigration levels.

But there is hope for a win-win situation.

The United States can draw valuable lessons from global practices. For example, since 2021, India has signed bilateral migration deals with countries like Australia, Germany and the UK. These agreements create legal immigration channels, aligning visa quotas with workforce needs in high-demand sectors. Similarly, Italy has adjusted immigration policies to admit over 450,000 foreign workers in response to labor shortages.

No one argues against deporting those who commit crimes. However, the mass deportation of millions of undocumented immigrants already in the U.S. is neither practical nor humane. At the same time, the suspension of flights for 40,000 Afghans approved for U.S. visas highlights another glaring issue: America’s inability to honor commitments to allies.

To truly fix the broken system, the U.S. must adopt a strategy that recognizes immigration as an opportunity, not a threat. This means reforming outdated laws, addressing labor market needs, and appointing expert commissions to craft sustainable policies. Simply deploying the military or building walls is no longer viable.

As I reflect on the faces of immigrants in my neighborhood, I can’t help but wonder: Who will manicure our lawns, harvest our vegetables and rebuild after disasters? These are not trivial concerns. They are fundamental questions for America’s future.

So, Mr. President, do you have a plan?

Wahab Raofi, an Afghan-born American, is a graduate of Kabul Law School. He formerly worked as an interpreter for NATO forces in Afghanistan.