As the Democratic National Convention kicks off in Chicago this week, the spotlight is on Vice President Kamala Harris, a historic figure as the daughter of immigrants from Jamaica and India, who’s now poised to become the Democratic presidential nominee. Meanwhile, her Republican opponent, former President Donald Trump, is heading to the U.S.-Mexico border, where he plans to underscore his campaign’s hardline stance on immigration. This sharp contrast between the two candidates—Harris, the embodiment of a diverse and inclusive America, and Trump, the face of a “tough-on-immigration” agenda—sets the stage for what is sure to be a fiercely contested election season.
A Spotlight on Immigration
The issue of immigration has always been a hot-button topic in U.S. politics, but in this election cycle, it has taken center stage like never before. Polls indicate a growing number of voters are concerned about border security, making it a critical issue for both parties. President Joe Biden, who has taken steps to reduce border crossings through executive actions, is keen to draw a line between his administration's approach and that of the Republicans.
On Monday night, Biden highlighted the significant drop in border arrests since his administration tightened asylum access. He used the opportunity to distance himself from Trump’s rhetoric, which has often been inflammatory. “Unlike Trump, we will not demonize immigrants, saying they are 'poisoning the blood' of America,” Biden declared, referencing a controversial comment Trump made last year that echoed Nazi-era rhetoric. Biden and Harris are pushing for a more compassionate approach, emphasizing the importance of legal immigration and the protection of Dreamers.
Kamala Harris: A Symbol of Inclusion
California Senator Laphonza Butler took to the convention floor on Monday to praise Harris, framing her as a leader who has always believed in fighting for a better future, regardless of the language people speak or the country they come from. This narrative starkly contrasts the Republican National Convention from last month, where the focus was on portraying immigrants as threats to public safety, with speakers repeatedly labeling them as criminals, drug smugglers, and terrorists.
Butler’s words remind the nation of Harris’ roots and the ideals she embodies—an inclusive America where everyone has a place, regardless of their background. But as the convention progresses, it’s likely that immigration will become a more prominent topic, especially as Republicans continue to hammer away at what they describe as Harris’ failure to manage the border crisis.
Trump’s Border Visit: A Strategic Move
In a calculated move to keep immigration at the forefront of voters’ minds, Trump plans to visit the border in Arizona on Thursday—the same day Harris is set to formally accept her nomination. This visit is intended to cast a shadow over Harris’ moment, with Trump’s campaign issuing a statement that the trip will highlight the ongoing “border crisis” that they lay at Harris’ feet.
Republicans, including Trump, have dubbed Harris the “border czar,” criticizing her for not curbing illegal immigration. However, Harris’ actual role was more focused on addressing the root causes of migration in Latin America, rather than directly managing border security.
Last month, the Republican-controlled House passed a resolution condemning the Biden administration and Harris for failing to secure the border, a move that underscores the GOP’s strategy of making immigration a key battleground issue. At the Republican National Convention, speaker after speaker painted a bleak picture of the consequences of immigration, with former Trump rival Nikki Haley going so far as to call it “the single, biggest threat Americans face.”
The Republican platform for 2024 makes it clear: immigration is their top priority. Their plan includes sealing the border, completing the border wall, moving military troops to the border, and reinstating Trump’s first-term immigration policies. Perhaps most notably, it pledges to carry out the largest deportation operation in American history—a promise that resonates strongly with Trump’s base.
Democratic Strategy: Finding the Right Balance
Meanwhile, the Democrats, who approved their 2024 platform on Monday, seem to be grappling with how to address immigration without alienating key voter blocs. Although their platform includes measures like codifying emergency powers to halt most asylum processing and supporting a pathway to citizenship for long-term undocumented immigrants, these proposals have sparked debate within the party.
Kamala Harris, for her part, has tried to navigate this complex issue by highlighting her record as a California prosecutor and her support for what she calls the “toughest border control bill in decades.” In a recent ad, she promised to hire thousands more border agents and crack down on fentanyl trafficking and human smuggling. However, this tougher stance has raised eyebrows, especially among progressives who remember her as a staunch advocate for immigrant rights during her time as a U.S. senator and California prosecutor.
During a rally in Arizona earlier this month, Harris acknowledged that the immigration system is broken, but stressed the need for comprehensive reform that includes both strong border security and an earned pathway to citizenship. She took a swipe at Trump for pressuring House Republicans to abandon a bipartisan border security deal earlier this year, accusing him of sabotaging the effort.
A Shift in Democratic Rhetoric?
GOP strategist Mike Madrid sees Harris’ shift as part of a broader trend within the Democratic Party, which has moved toward tougher border messaging in recent years. This shift reflects a growing recognition that voters want to see strong leadership on border security, even as they support more humane immigration policies.
Madrid argues that this pivot is necessary if Democrats hope to win over voters in key swing states. However, he warns that coupling immigration reform with border security has been a “disaster” for the party in the past. “It’s by design,” he said. “Democrats are scrambling to find the right strategy on this issue, and they’re hoping that a tougher stance on border security will pay off.”
Yet, this strategy is not without its risks. Immigration advocates are concerned that Democrats are abandoning their principles in an effort to outflank Republicans on border security. For instance, President Biden’s recent action limiting asylum access was a key point in his speech, but he made no mention of a new program that would provide a pathway to citizenship for 500,000 undocumented spouses of U.S. citizens—a policy that immigrant advocates see as a significant win.
Kerri Talbot and Beatriz Lopez, leaders of the advocacy group Immigration Hub, have urged Harris to strike a balance in her messaging. In a memo, they emphasized that most voters are unsure where Democrats stand on immigration, leaving a vacuum that Republicans are all too eager to fill. They argue that the messaging that resonates most with voters is one that emphasizes “keeping families together,” rather than simply being “tough on immigration.”
The Stakes for the Democratic Convention
Krish O’Mara Vignarajah, president and CEO of Global Refuge, an immigrant advocacy organization, believes that the Democratic National Convention presents a critical opportunity for the party to reclaim the narrative on immigration. She argues that Democrats need to reject the Republican “fearmongering” and make a strong case that America’s identity is intrinsically tied to its immigrant roots. “America without immigrants is no America at all,” she said.
As the convention unfolds, it remains to be seen whether Democrats will take this advice to heart. With the election just around the corner, the stakes couldn’t be higher. For Harris, a successful navigation of the immigration issue could be the key to securing the presidency. For Trump, hammering away at the “border crisis” could energize his base and keep immigration front and center in voters’ minds.
What’s clear is that immigration will remain a defining issue in this election, one that cuts to the core of what America stands for and how it sees itself in the world. Both parties are keenly aware of this, and the coming weeks will be a test of which narrative resonates more with the American people. Will it be the vision of an inclusive, diverse nation championed by Harris, or the tough, no-nonsense approach promised by Trump? Only time will tell.
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