The issue of immigration is a complex one. In the context of U.S. elections, the question of immigration usually centers around two facets: southern border security and the people who are in the United States without legal status. Many people think of illegal border crossings as the primary way for a person to be here without legal status, however visa overstays are almost as common, even more common at times. This is only one of the reasons why the solution to what some call the “immigration crisis” is complex and will require a comprehensive plan.
President Biden and Immigration
President Biden believes the immigration system is in need of reform and has called the current system “broken”. Most recently the President supported a bipartisan national security bill which would have increased border security and implemented much needed reforms to the immigration system, that bill did not pass in Congress. Although President Biden does not believe physical barriers are the answer to border security, his administration waived environmental laws to continue construction of a physical barrier at the southern border. President Biden has also increased border security by mobilizing National Guard personnel to work with the Department of Homeland Security. The Biden administration has worked to expedite and increase removals of individuals who are not in the country legally.
Quotes:
“But instead of safe and orderly process at the border, we have a patchwork system that simply doesn’t work as it should. We don’t have enough asylum officers or personnel to determine whether people qualify for asylum. There’s a standard by what you have to meet… we don’t have enough immigrant judges, immigration judges to adjudicate the claims of immigrants.”
“And until Congress passes the funds, a comprehensive immigration plan to fix the system completely, my administration is going to work to make things better at the border using the tools that we have available to us now”
On the partisan nature of immigration voting: “So instead of playing politics with the issue, why don’t we just get together and get it done.”
Donald Trump and Immigration
Donald Trump has made immigration a primary issue of his campaign. He plans on reinstating many of the policiesfrom his prior time in office including his “remain in Mexico” policy, continuation of the physical barrier at the southern border, banning travel from some countries, and institute mass deportations. Donald Trump proposes an immigration system based on merit, and making it more difficult to get a visa. He has been an avid opponent of DACA and would seek to end the policy again. Notably, Donald Trump is cited as being responsible for killing a comprehensive national security bill which would have reformed the immigration system and increased border security.
Quotes:
“Under our leadership, you were safer, your family was safer, your communities were safer, your children were safer, your borders were safer and your whole country was safer, a lot safer.”
“We have to protect our own borders first before we defend the borders of foreign countries.”
“Under my leadership we will quickly restore the most secure border in U.S. history… We will use all necessary state, local, federal, and military resources to carry out the largest domestic deportation operation in American history.”
Marianne Williamson and Immigration
Marianne Williamson supports comprehensive immigration reform which would target the root causes of immigration, increase border security, and streamline the asylum system. Key proposals of her immigration plan include a path to citizenship for those in the currently in the country who have not criminal record, expanding visa access, increase humanitarian aid to Latin America, increased hiring in the immigration and asylum systems, and increase funding for border patrol agents.
Quotes:
“As President I would wish to see an entirely different paradigm, regarding immigration to the United States.”
“I was taught from an early age about the often desperate plight of the immigrant and the blazing hope that America held out to them. The immigrant story of today contains no less richness, variety, and contribution than it did a hundred or two hundred years ago.”
“Asylum is… part of the sacred ideal of the United States.”
Robert F. Kennedy and Immigration
Robert F. Kennedy’s immigration stance focuses on securing the southern border. RFK believes the influx of people crossing the southern border is an “existential threat.” Kennedy is a proponent of remain in Mexico policy, which required all asylum claims to be adjudicated in Mexico. Robert F. Kennedy would end the so-called catch and release policy and increase deportation. RFK would seek to increase border security through a physical barrier and other infrastructure, including high tech options to monitor the border.
Quotes:
“The major thing is to shut down the border, which we can do pretty much overnight.”
“Texas is right. Biden’s failure to secure the border leaves states no choice but to take matters into their own hands. As President, I will end this humanitarian crisis once and for all. I will secure the border and destroy the business model of the drug cartels. A country without borders is not a country at all.”
“Our border has come under the control of criminal drug cartels that traffic in desolation, and in fentanyl, and in busloads of desperate human beings.”
Cornel West and Immigration
In keeping with his campaigns focus on justice, Cornel West’s proposals on immigration center on the idea of restoring justice to our immigration system. West’s proposals include making the pathway to citizenship and permanent residency less cumbersome while focusing on ethical policies. Cornel West would abolish ICE and end militarization of the southern border while simultaneously ending the policies that result in family separation.
Quotes:
“In the quest for justice and a currency of morality, migrants/asylum seekers at the Southern Border deserve humane practices. However, POTUS recent openness to policies like expelling migrants without asylum screenings contradicts our call for dignity and empathy.”
“That’s a matter of a step-by-step process of making sure that you have some connection with the leaders of the various countries where these folk are coming from. And at the same time, you let your folk know that they will not be in any way treated with less dignity than any other human being.”
“Treating every migrant and asylum seeker with dignity and implementing fundamental changes in immigration policies.”
Jill Stein and Immigration
Jill Stein opposes the increased militarization of the southern border and mass deportations, instead Stein believes we should focus on rehabilitating the economies of Latin American countries to work on the root causes of immigration. She is a proponent of pathways to citizenship for individuals already living and working in the U.S.
Quotes:
“There are problems with temporary visas for immigrants — there’s a real downside to that, in that they become second class citizens and they become subject to a whole other tier of low wages. This is partly why we call for full citizenship for immigrants who have been here. That’s the bulk of the issue.”
“Our nation of immigrants needs a just immigration system that won’t allow the ruling elite to divide working people. That means halting deportations, passing the DREAM Act, and creating legal status and a path to citizenship for hard-working, law-abiding undocumented immigrants.”
“People ask me ‘what are you going to do about immigration?’ I say we’re going to stop causing it . . . through wars and NAFTA, the war on drugs, coups and military interventions. We need to connect the dots.”