the issues: border + immigration
Immigration and border policy have long been central issues in U.S. politics, and the 2024 presidential election is no exception. Kamala Harris, the current Vice President, and former President Donald Trump have starkly different approaches to immigration and border security, reflecting the broader ideological divide between the Democratic and Republican parties. This essay compares their respective immigration policies based on their previous records, current platforms, and public statements.
Kamala Harris' Immigration and Border Policy
Kamala Harris has taken a more comprehensive and humanitarian approach to immigration, emphasizing reform, inclusivity, and addressing the root causes of migration. Her stance aligns closely with the Biden administration's policies, which she has supported and helped implement as vice president.
Comprehensive Immigration Reform: Harris supports a path to citizenship for undocumented immigrants, including Dreamers (those protected by the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals or DACA program), Temporary Protected Status (TPS) recipients, and long-term residents without legal status. The Biden administration has proposed comprehensive immigration reform legislation that includes these provisions, and Harris has been an advocate for moving such legislation through Congress. She has argued that millions of immigrants living and working in the U.S. should be given an opportunity to become citizens, provided they meet certain requirements such as paying taxes and passing background checks.
Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA): Harris has been a strong advocate for the continuation and expansion of DACA, which protects immigrants brought to the U.S. as children from deportation. During the Trump administration, DACA was repeatedly challenged, and Trump sought to end the program. In contrast, Harris supports legislation to permanently protect DACA recipients and provide them with a path to citizenship. She views these individuals as Americans in all but legal status and argues that they contribute to the U.S. economy and society.
Addressing Root Causes of Migration: One of Harris' most significant efforts as vice president has been leading the Biden administration's strategy to address the root causes of migration from Central America, particularly from countries in the "Northern Triangle" (Guatemala, Honduras, and El Salvador). Harris has emphasized that improving economic opportunities, reducing corruption, and combating violence in these countries can reduce the pressure that forces people to migrate northward. Her strategy includes increasing foreign aid to these countries, investing in development programs, and collaborating with international organizations to support governance reforms.
Border Security and Humanitarian Approach: While Harris supports strong border security, her approach focuses on balancing enforcement with humane treatment of migrants. She has criticized the previous administration's harsh border policies, including family separations and prolonged detention of asylum seekers. Instead, Harris advocates for the use of technology and improved infrastructure to secure the border while ensuring that migrants are treated fairly and with dignity. She also supports reforms to streamline the asylum process, allowing claims to be processed more efficiently while protecting the rights of those fleeing persecution.
Temporary Protected Status (TPS): Harris supports expanding and extending TPS for individuals from countries experiencing armed conflict, environmental disasters, or other crises. TPS allows immigrants from designated countries to live and work in the U.S. temporarily, and Harris has argued that many of these individuals have deep ties to the U.S. and should not be deported when their home countries remain unstable.
Legal Immigration and Family Reunification: Harris supports policies that encourage legal immigration and promote family reunification. She has argued that the U.S. immigration system should prioritize keeping families together and has been critical of policies that have made it more difficult for legal immigrants to bring their family members to the U.S. Harris also supports reforms that would modernize the visa system, reduce backlogs, and increase opportunities for immigrants to enter the U.S. through legal channels.
Donald Trump’s Immigration and Border Policy
Donald Trump’s immigration policy is built around the idea of "America First" and emphasizes strict enforcement, reduced immigration, and stronger border security. During his presidency, Trump pursued a series of policies aimed at curbing both legal and illegal immigration, and his 2024 campaign is expected to build on those efforts.
Building a Border Wall: One of Trump’s signature policy initiatives during his presidency was the construction of a border wall along the U.S.-Mexico border. Trump argued that a physical barrier was necessary to prevent illegal immigration, drug trafficking, and human smuggling. While Trump did not complete the entire wall during his first term, he built or reinforced hundreds of miles of barrier, and his 2024 platform includes a commitment to finishing the project. Trump views the wall as essential to national security and preventing illegal immigration.
Ending DACA and Opposing Amnesty: Trump has been a vocal opponent of DACA, repeatedly attempting to end the program during his presidency. While the courts temporarily blocked his efforts, Trump has argued that DACA is an unconstitutional overreach by the executive branch and that Congress should pass legislation addressing the status of Dreamers. However, Trump has generally opposed any form of "amnesty" that would provide undocumented immigrants with a path to citizenship. His stance reflects a broader view that illegal immigration should not be rewarded with legal status, and he supports deporting those who are in the U.S. unlawfully.
Family Separations and Detention Policies: One of the most controversial aspects of Trump’s immigration policy was the “zero tolerance” policy, which led to the separation of thousands of migrant children from their parents at the U.S.-Mexico border. The policy was part of a broader effort to deter illegal immigration by prosecuting all adults who crossed the border illegally. While Trump eventually ended the practice of family separations after public outcry, he has continued to defend strict border enforcement and increased use of detention facilities for those who cross the border without authorization.
Restrictions on Asylum: During his presidency, Trump implemented several policies that made it harder for migrants to seek asylum in the U.S. These included the "Remain in Mexico" policy, which required asylum seekers to wait in Mexico while their cases were processed, and a rule that made migrants ineligible for asylum if they did not apply for protection in a third country before reaching the U.S. Trump argued that these policies were necessary to prevent fraud and abuse in the asylum system, which he believed was being exploited by migrants who were not truly fleeing persecution.
Muslim Ban and Travel Restrictions: Early in his presidency, Trump implemented a travel ban that restricted entry to the U.S. from several predominantly Muslim countries. While the ban was revised multiple times in response to legal challenges, Trump argued that it was necessary to protect national security by preventing potential terrorists from entering the country. His administration also implemented a variety of other travel and visa restrictions, including cuts to the refugee admissions program and a public charge rule that made it harder for immigrants who use public benefits to obtain legal status.
Reducing Legal Immigration: Trump’s immigration policy was not limited to curbing illegal immigration; he also sought to reduce legal immigration to the U.S. He supported ending the diversity visa lottery and sought to limit family-based immigration in favor of a merit-based system that prioritized skilled workers. Trump has argued that the U.S. immigration system should prioritize those who contribute to the economy, rather than admitting large numbers of immigrants through family reunification programs.
Key Differences
Immigration Reform and Path to Citizenship: Harris supports a path to citizenship for undocumented immigrants, particularly Dreamers and TPS recipients, while Trump opposes any form of “amnesty” and has sought to end programs like DACA.
Border Wall and Security: Trump emphasizes building a physical border wall as the primary tool for securing the U.S.-Mexico border, while Harris favors a combination of technology, infrastructure, and humanitarian approaches to secure the border while addressing the root causes of migration.
Asylum and Refugees: Harris supports reforming the asylum system to make it more efficient and humane, while Trump’s policies have made it harder for migrants to seek asylum in the U.S., including requiring asylum seekers to remain in Mexico during the process.
Family Separations and Detention: Harris has been a vocal critic of family separations and long-term detention for migrants, advocating for more humane treatment at the border. Trump’s “zero tolerance” policy led to widespread family separations as a deterrent to illegal immigration, although he eventually rolled back the policy under pressure.
Muslim Ban and Travel Restrictions: Harris has opposed the travel bans and visa restrictions implemented by Trump, viewing them as discriminatory and harmful to U.S. values. Trump has defended these policies as necessary for national security and preventing terrorism.
Legal Immigration: Harris supports expanding legal immigration channels and promoting family reunification, while Trump seeks to limit legal immigration, especially family-based immigration, in favor of a merit-based system.
Kamala Harris and Donald Trump represent two fundamentally different visions for immigration policy and border security in the 2024 presidential election. Harris advocates for comprehensive immigration reform, including a path to citizenship for undocumented immigrants, and a focus on addressing the root causes of migration from Central America. Her approach emphasizes a balance between border security and humane treatment of migrants. In contrast, Trump’s policies prioritize strict enforcement, building a physical border wall, and reducing both legal and illegal immigration. His approach reflects a more restrictive and security-focused view of immigration, with an emphasis on preventing unauthorized entry and limiting the number of immigrants allowed into the U.S. These differing approaches will likely be key issues for voters in the upcoming election, reflecting broader debates over national identity, security, and the future of immigration in America.