Trump and Biden’s actions and plans for the border.
President Biden is scheduled to sign an executive order on Tuesday to address the surge in illegal crossings at America’s southern border. This action is poised to be the most restrictive border policy implemented by a modern Democrat, according to reports by the New York Times.
Since taking office in 2021, President Biden has worked to reverse many of the hard-line immigration restrictions put in place by former President Donald Trump. However, this shift has coincided with a record high of over 2 million illegal crossings per year on average.
Supporters of Biden argue that the root causes of the surge are complex and predate his presidency, pointing to issues such as foreign violence, economic hardship, and criminal cartels profiting from migration. On the other hand, critics of Biden claim that his administration’s policies have incentivized migrants to attempt the journey across the border by utilizing immigration parole and implementing a pause on most ICE arrests and deportations.
The contrasting approaches of Biden and Trump towards border policy have significant implications for the future of U.S. immigration. The upcoming election featuring two former and current presidents as major-party nominees will offer voters a chance to compare and contrast their records on various issues.
Let’s delve into the actions of Trump and Biden on immigration and what they envision for the future of U.S. border policy.
Where They’re Coming From
Trump: President Trump’s political platform was largely built on a hard-line stance on immigration. He gained prominence on the right by perpetuating the unfounded “birther” conspiracy theory about President Obama and making disparaging remarks about Mexican immigrants.
Throughout his presidency, Trump pushed for the construction of a physical border wall and implemented policies such as family separations and travel bans targeting majority Muslim countries. His approach to immigration enforcement was marked by promises of deportations and crackdowns on unauthorized immigrants.
Biden: In contrast, President Biden entered the 2020 Democratic primaries facing pressure from the left to address immigration issues. As Obama’s vice president, Biden was associated with the DACA program but also criticized for the high number of deportations during the previous administration.
During his campaign, Biden pledged to reverse Trump’s border policies, provide a pathway to citizenship for undocumented immigrants, and enhance protections for immigrant communities. He aimed to position his administration as a symbol of moral leadership on immigration issues.
What They’ve Done as President
Trump: President Trump’s tenure saw the implementation of over 400 executive actions on immigration, including travel bans, the construction of parts of the border wall, and the “zero tolerance” policy that led to family separations.
Despite his tough rhetoric, Trump fell short of his promises to expel millions of immigrants and significantly increase deportation numbers. His administration’s policies aimed to deter illegal crossings by restricting asylum eligibility, rolling back protections like DACA, and other measures.
Biden: President Biden wasted no time in reversing many of Trump’s immigration policies upon taking office. He halted border wall construction, reinstated DACA, and focused on reunifying families separated under the previous administration.
However, Biden’s efforts to strike a balance between enforcing immigration laws and upholding humanitarian values have faced challenges, especially with the surge in border crossings. Despite attempts to handle the situation, criticisms from both sides have continued.
What They Want to Do Next
Trump: Reports suggest that President Trump is considering a return to his hard-line immigration policies, including mass deportations, travel bans, and stringent border restrictions. His approach emphasizes a crackdown on unauthorized immigrants and strict enforcement measures.
Trump’s potential plans signal a continuation of his previous policies, with an emphasis on stronger border controls and increased deportations to address what he perceives as threats to national security and public safety.
Biden: President Biden aims to strike a balance between border enforcement and compassion in his approach to immigration. While facing challenges from surges in illegal crossings, Biden has sought to maintain a humane response while upholding immigration laws.
Recent bipartisan efforts on border talks have resulted in proposed legislation that includes provisions to address border security concerns. However, the path to passing comprehensive immigration reform remains challenging, with Biden considering executive actions to address immediate border issues.
In conclusion, the contrasting perspectives of Trump and Biden on immigration policy reflect broader debates within the U.S. political landscape. The future direction of U.S. border policy will depend on the outcomes of these ongoing discussions and the priorities set forth by the respective administrations.
