Biden’s Strategy: Support Current Immigrants in the U.S. while Preventing Further Immigration
TL/DR –
President Biden has taken different stances on immigration, affirming that longstanding undocumented immigrants in the U.S. can stay while sealing the border to most new asylum seekers. This two-pronged approach represents a balance between supporting immigrants living and working in the country and attempting to uphold border security, a contentious issue in the 2024 presidential campaign. Despite the overall strategy being criticized by Republicans as an “election-year border charade,” Biden’s aides believe his immigration policies appeal to many voters who prioritize both enforcement and pathways to citizenship.
President Biden’s Immigration Stance Shown in Latest Policies
Many immigrants have been living undocumented in the U.S. for years, and according to President Biden, they can stay. However, recent arrivals, particularly those crossing the U.S.-Mexico border, will have to wait. President Biden’s immigration policies illustrate a dichotomic stance: expanding legal protections for undocumented spouses of American citizens while also sealing the border to many seeking U.S. asylum.
Biden’s Border-In Vs. Border-Out Approach In 2024 Campaign
A “border-in vs. border-out” strategy marking Biden’s approach on immigration, one of the major issues in the 2024 presidential campaign, addresses the political complexity of this issue. Despite most American voters seeing the problem at the southern border and tending to trust former President Trump more than Biden. Democrats seek to balance these perceptions while facing the challenge of escalating border crossings and political maneuvers.
Pathways to Citizenship: A Focus of Biden’s Immigration Policies
Biden’s campaign believes that catering to Hispanic voters’ desire for stricter enforcement and clear ways to citizenship will work in their favor. However, a proposed pathway to citizenship for approximately 11 million immigrants could not pass due to Republican opposition, marking one of the significant challenges Biden has faced with the Congress. Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson criticises Biden’s immigration policies as an “election-year border charade”.
Biden’s Immigration Strategy: Balancing Enforcement With Protection
In an effort to maintain balance, Biden announced that 500,000 undocumented spouses of U.S. citizens would be protected from deportation, drawing parallels with the Obama-era DACA program. However, this move raised concerns among advocates for those outside the U.S. borders.
Asylum System & Undocumented Neighbors: Human Rights Vs. Enforcement Debate
While Biden’s immigration policies aim to deter new arrivals while keeping families together, Ahilan T. Arulanantham, co-director for the Center for Immigration Law and Policy at UCLA Law School, insists that “access to the asylum system is a fundamental human right.” As Biden prepares for a debate later this month with Trump, only time will tell how American voters perceive his stance on immigration.
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