Here we are again. It hardly seems like four years have passed since Donald Trump lost the 2020 election, and eight years since he became president. So much has happened since 2016, both good and bad. Readers of my articles know where I stand on immigration matters, and the reform that is absolutely necessary (and seemingly nowhere in sight).
And yet here we are again. Two very different candidates are vying for our attention and our vote; two very different approaches to virtually policy matter you could imagine, including immigration. I was speaking with a friend of mine recently at a local coffee shop, both of us resigning ourselves to whatever happens in now less than two weeks’ time, no matter who we might support, but both of us also noting the incredible importance of voting nonetheless.
What Are the Presidential Candidates’ Positions on Immigration?
One of the most significant rights an immigrant gains through naturalization (i.e., becoming a U.S. citizen) is the ability to vote in federal elections. Immigrants who have become U.S. citizens play an essential role in shaping our country’s future. Their experiences, both in their country of origin and in their process of immigrating to the United States, often influence their choices as voters.
Various policy issues can guide a voter’s decision when selecting a candidate. For many immigrants, immigration policy holds particular importance. And, contrary to common assumptions, immigrants don’t always seek lenient immigration policies; instead, they often favor rational and balanced approaches that benefit everyone. Current polling clearly reflects this.
A close examination of the policy positions of Kamala Harris, the Democratic candidate, and Donald Trump, the Republican candidate, can help all voters make an informed choice.
Kamala Harris’s Approach
According to Ballotpedia and her campaign materials, Vice President Harris emphasizes what I would call a balanced approach to immigration. Her policy positions include efforts to reduce illegal immigration at our southern border and also prioritize drug enforcement in that region.
Her campaign claims to have decreased (as part of her involvement in the current administration) illegal border crossings to their lowest rate in four years while also increasing the seizure of illegal drugs. She highlights her background as California’s Attorney General and a prosecutor as evidence of her capability to address systemic issues. Perhaps we’ll see.
Vice President Harris aims to pursue bipartisan border security reforms while also strengthening and expanding legal pathways to citizenship. Her proposals also include tightening asylum requirements and allowing for temporary border shutdowns during periods of high migration.
Donald Trump’s Approach
Donald Trump’s immigration policies are often associated with (and rightly so) his “Build the Wall” mantra from his 2016 campaign. His current policy proposals actually emphasize completing the unfinished border wall and continuing to to focus on restricting illegal immigration along our southern border.
The former president’s platform includes similar measures to Vice President Harris in terms of restricting asylum access, but also goes further in advocating for merit-based immigration (something seen in other countries, such as Canada and Australia). Additionally, and no surprise here, his proposals involve deporting undocumented immigrants and ending birthright citizenship for children born in the U.S. to undocumented parents. He also supports policies that would require those seeking asylum to remain in Mexico while their applications are processed.
Conclusion
There’s obviously so much more. Contrary to earlier articles, I really have strained to present a balanced (and admittedly high level) view here.
For those immigrants voting in their first presidential election, and for everyone else too, understanding each candidate’s stance on immigration can be a crucial part of their and our decision-making process. Learning about the promises and positions of each campaign can help all of us make informed choices in one of the most significant elections in recent history. We’ll talk again on the other side.