Immigration, a central issue in the 2024 US Presidential election, dominated the 90-minute Vice Presidential debate between Republican nominee JD Vance and Democratic nominee Tim Walz. The conversation grew intensely heated, leading to a dramatic moment where CBS moderators cut the microphones as both candidates clashed over immigration policy.
The incident unfolded after Vance, ignoring a question about the economy, continued to speak over the moderators while disputing a fact-check regarding his controversial remarks about Haitian immigrants in Ohio. Walz then intervened, prompting the moderators to silence both candidates’ mics and declare that the audience could not hear them.
When the debate turned to US immigration, Vance launched a series of criticisms against Vice President Kamala Harris, alleging that she had effectively used a “magic wand” to grant legal status to thousands of Haitian migrants, including those in Springfield, Ohio. Vance argued that Harris implemented Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for these migrants, whom he continued to refer to as “illegals” despite the program granting them legal status. Vance further claimed that this was an overreach of power, calling it a form of “amnesty” that burdens communities like Springfield by placing a strain on local resources.
An estimated 15,000 Haitian migrants with legal, temporary protected status have arrived in Springfield over recent years.
Meanwhile, Walz accused Vance and former President Donald Trump of dehumanizing immigrants. He argued that while Vance may want to find solutions, his alliance with Trump prevents him from working towards collaborative solutions. “I believe Senator Vance wants to solve this, but by standing with Donald Trump and not working together to find a solution, it becomes a talking point. When it becomes a talking point like this, we dehumanise and villainise other human beings,” Walz said.
Walz then highlighted bipartisan efforts in Congress to draft new legislation aimed at increasing funding and security at the southern border, emphasizing Trump’s opposition to these initiatives. “Donald Trump said ‘No’ and told them to vote against it because it gives them a campaign issue,” Walz said.
Drawing attention to Trump’s past promises, Walz pointed out that the former president’s pledges regarding border security were not fulfilled. “He promised you, America, how easy it would be: ‘I’ll build you a big beautiful wall and Mexico will pay for it.’ Less than 2 percent of that wall got built, and Mexico didn’t pay a dime,” Walz said.
The Democratic VP candidate also lamented that nearly nine years after Trump’s controversial campaign announcement, the nation remains stagnant in its efforts towards meaningful immigration reform.
