Illegal immigration has become a pressing concern for voters in the upcoming election, as the U.S. grapples with record numbers of illegal migrant crossings at the border. In the past fiscal year alone, over 2.4 million illegal crossings were recorded, marking a significant increase over previous years.
Republicans have been critical of President Biden's handling of the crisis, attributing the surge in illegal crossings to his policies, particularly the reversal of Trump-era immigration measures.
Trump's Stance on Immigration
Former President Trump has pledged to implement the largest domestic deportation operation in U.S. history if re-elected. He has also vowed to undo what he refers to as the 'Open Border policies' of the Biden administration, including deploying special forces to the border and reinstating the travel ban imposed in 2017.
During the upcoming CNN Presidential Debate, Trump is expected to highlight instances of crime, such as rape and murder, allegedly committed by illegal migrants to bolster his argument.
Biden's Approach to Immigration
President Biden, on the other hand, has emphasized the need for comprehensive legislative reform to address the 'broken' immigration system. While he introduced a reform bill early in his term, Republicans have objected to provisions that offer a pathway to citizenship for millions of undocumented immigrants already residing in the U.S.
Biden has also supported a bipartisan Senate bill aimed at enhancing border security and imposing stricter asylum restrictions. However, the bill has faced challenges in gaining traction, with Biden attributing the delays to opposition from the Trump camp.
In response to the stalled legislative efforts, Biden has taken unilateral action, including tightening asylum rules for migrants and providing deportation protection for certain undocumented immigrant spouses of U.S. citizens.
As the immigration debate intensifies, both candidates are expected to present their contrasting visions for addressing the complex challenges posed by illegal immigration in the U.S.
