As the November 5th, 2024 US presidential election draws near, the candidates, Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump, are locked in a fierce battle for the nation’s highest office. Amidst a multitude of crucial issues, immigration stands out as a particularly contentious topic, dividing voters and shaping the candidates’ strategies.
Vice President Kamala Harris has taken a decidedly progressive approach to immigration reform. She advocates for a pathway to citizenship for undocumented immigrants, seeking to address the ‘root causes’ of migration. Her plan includes a renewed focus on border security, aiming to close loopholes in the asylum process and grant the president greater authority to manage the border. Harris has consistently criticized the current immigration system as ‘broken’ and called for comprehensive reform. She has also been vocal about her opposition to the Trump administration’s family separation policy, labeling it a ‘human rights abuse.’ To address Republican concerns, Harris has pointed to her record as California’s Attorney General, where she prosecuted drug smugglers and criminal gangs involved in drug trafficking.
In stark contrast, Donald Trump has adopted a hardline stance on illegal immigration, promising a dramatic crackdown if re-elected. His campaign platform includes plans to deploy law enforcement agencies to detain and deport undocumented immigrants, pledging to execute the ‘largest domestic deportation operation in American history.’ Furthermore, Trump has vowed to end birthright citizenship, a policy he has long criticized. His re-election campaign promises to re-institute policies like the ‘Remain in Mexico’ policy, requiring asylum seekers to wait in Mexico during their proceedings, and divert asylum seekers to third countries. He would also reinstate the Title 42 border policy, which denies entry to migrants based on infectious diseases. Trump has also indicated a willingness to use military force to secure the border and has expressed support for travel bans targeting Muslim-majority countries.
The contrasting approaches of Harris and Trump on immigration have become a defining point in the election. How each candidate addresses this complex issue will likely have a significant impact on their respective voter bases and the future direction of US immigration policy. The election promises to be a critical turning point in the ongoing debate over immigration, shaping the nation’s approach to this complex and multifaceted issue for years to come.
