Immigration’s Role in the 2024 Presidential Race: Biden vs. Trump on Policy and Public Opinion

Immigration Takes Center Stage in the 2024 Presidential Election

As the U.S. presidential election approaches, immigration has solidified its place as a pivotal issue in the debates between President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump. Both candidates have put forward contrasting approaches to immigration and border security, which has ignited a nationwide discourse. Trump has been vocal in his criticism of Biden’s policies, accusing him of creating a border crisis by allowing open borders. In response, Biden has underlined a 40% decrease in illegal border crossings under his administration as a testament to his success.

In a surprising turn, Trump proposed issuing green cards to foreign graduates of U.S. colleges, arguing that these individuals often start successful companies abroad after being forced to leave the United States. This proposal marks a distinct shift in rhetoric for Trump, traditionally known for a stringent stance on immigration. Meanwhile, Biden’s recent executive order allowing undocumented spouses and children of U.S. citizens to live and work legally in the U.S. has sparked criticism from Republican lawmakers. They argue that this move violates existing laws and exacerbates the border crisis.

Public Opinion and Future Policy Implications

The public’s opinion on immigration remains divided yet significant in shaping policy directions. A considerable portion of the electorate (59%) supports allowing undocumented immigrants to stay in the U.S. legally, with specific preferences divided between a path to citizenship (36%) and permanent residency (22%). This suggests that any successful policy will need to balance enforcement with compassion, a challenging task for either candidate.

The partisan divide on immigration is stark. Trump supporters largely favor deportation of undocumented immigrants (63%), whereas Biden supporters overwhelmingly endorse granting legal status (85%). This division underscores the challenge of crafting immigration policies that can appeal to a broad swath of the American electorate, particularly as both candidates seek to secure votes from undecided constituents.

Impact on Latino Voters and Border Security

Immigration’s significance is markedly pronounced among Latino voters, with 20% considering it one of the most critical issues for politicians to tackle. Both Biden and Trump will need to address both border security and legal pathways for undocumented immigrants to win over this influential voter segment. Latino voters are particularly supportive of a dual strategy that includes bolstered border security alongside a path to legal residency or citizenship.

Security concerns persist, as evidenced by the Department of Homeland Security identifying over 400 migrants with ties to an ISIS-affiliated smuggling network. This continuing spotlight on border security issues reflects the complex, multifaceted nature of immigration reform. Looking ahead, if Biden is re-elected, policies may continue to expand legal immigration pathways and improve the system. In contrast, a Trump administration is likely to resume a hard-line, enforcement-first approach, possibly involving increased deportations and stricter border controls.