With the November 5, 2024 presidential election approaching, immigration is a key issue dividing candidates Kamala Harris and Donald Trump. Harris advocates for progressive reforms, including a pathway to citizenship and restoring the bipartisan border security bill, while Trump pushes a hardline agenda of mass deportations and reinstating policies like “Remain in Mexico.” State-level actions, such as Texas’s Operation Lone Star, further complicate the immigration debate, influencing both national and local races.
As the U.S. presidential election on November 5, 2024, draws near, immigration has emerged as a central and contentious issue, sharply dividing the two main candidates: Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump. Their contrasting approaches to immigration policy underscore the high stakes of the election and its potential impact on the nation’s future.
Since President Joe Biden took office, the number of undocumented migrants crossing the U.S.-Mexico border has surged, becoming a focal point of criticism from Trump and his allies. Biden’s administration has faced mounting pressure over its handling of border security and immigration reform. The president’s approach has largely emphasized humane treatment and comprehensive reform, including efforts to manage border challenges and address the root causes of migration.
Former President Donald Trump has leveraged the issue of immigration as a cornerstone of his campaign against Vice President Kamala Harris. Trump’s position is a return to his previous hardline policies, promising to implement mass deportations and end birthright citizenship. His plans include deploying military resources to enforce border security, reinstating the controversial “Remain in Mexico” policy, and barring entry from Muslim-majority countries. Trump also aims to terminate the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program and reinstate the Title 42 border policy, which restricts migrant entry based on public health concerns.
In contrast, Vice President Kamala Harris advocates for a more progressive approach to immigration. Harris supports creating an earned pathway to citizenship for undocumented migrants and aims to revive the bipartisan border security bill that Trump previously obstructed. She describes the current immigration system as “broken” and has criticized Trump’s policies, particularly his family separation practices, labeling them as “human rights abuses.” Harris’s record as California’s Attorney General, where she prosecuted drug traffickers and criminal gangs, bolsters her credibility on enforcing immigration laws.
While Congress has not passed significant immigration reform since 1986, states have stepped up to fill the void. Texas, for example, has launched Operation Lone Star, investing $11 billion in border security and law enforcement. The Texas Legislature also passed SB4, which expands local law enforcement’s authority to arrest suspected undocumented migrants. However, this law is currently under judicial review, reflecting ongoing tensions between state and federal authorities over immigration enforcement.
The roles of Congress and the judiciary are also crucial in shaping U.S. immigration policy. Significant changes to immigration law require Congressional approval, but Congress has been gridlocked on major reform for decades. Meanwhile, federal courts have been involved in reviewing and interpreting immigration policies, such as the DACA program and various executive orders issued by past presidents.
The presidential election, as well as races for the U.S. Senate, House of Representatives, and state legislatures, will influence the future of U.S. immigration policy. The outcome could determine the direction of federal immigration reforms, the implementation of state-level measures, and the broader legal landscape governing immigration.
As candidates Harris and Trump present their competing visions for handling immigration, voters are faced with a stark choice that could reshape the nation’s approach to border security, refugee policies, and the treatment of undocumented migrants. The outcome of this election will have far-reaching implications for U.S. immigration policy and its impact on millions of individuals both within and beyond the nation’s borders.
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