Rep. David Trone, a Democrat running to represent Maryland in the Senate, made controversial comments urging listeners to “forget the border” as he pushed for an increase in the total number of legal immigrants allowed into the U.S. each year. Trone criticized America’s immigration policies and argued that the construction industry, which relies heavily on Latino workers, is suffering due to a lack of lawful immigration. He emphasized the importance of diversity and suggested raising the cap on legal immigrants allowed to enter the country annually.
Trone proposed incremental steps to increase the number of migrants allowed to legally enter the U.S., advocating for a jump from one million to five million legal immigrants per year. He stressed the economic contributions of immigrants and pointed to companies like Apple and eBay as examples of businesses created by immigrants that have generated millions of jobs. Trone also highlighted the lengthy wait times for those seeking legal immigration, noting that a significant percentage of approved applicants may not live long enough to be admitted to the country.
Trone’s campaign did not respond to requests for comment regarding his remarks, but the congressman has previously expressed support for granting citizenship and voting rights to the millions of illegal immigrants living in the U.S., including those protected under DACA and TPS. The comments from Trone came as part of a Democratic primary race to replace retiring Sen. Ben Cardin, with Trone competing against Prince George’s County Executive Angela Alsobrooks for the Senate seat. The winner of the Democratic primary is expected to face former Maryland Republican Gov. Larry Hogan in the general election.
Hogan, a vocal critic of former President Trump, entered the Senate race in February and is considered the leading GOP candidate among primary challengers. Trone’s stance on immigration has stirred debate, with Republicans and Democrats voicing differing opinions on how to address the issue. Trone’s emphasis on increasing legal immigration and promoting diversity as a means to drive the economy contrasts with conservative views on border security and immigration enforcement, setting the stage for a contentious race between candidates with opposing ideologies.
As the race for the Maryland Senate seat heats up, Trone’s proposals to overhaul immigration policies and increase legal immigration levels have drawn attention and sparked discussion among voters. The congressman’s calls to “forget the border” and prioritize diversity and economic growth through immigration have sparked debate within the Democratic primary field. Trone’s advocacy for enhancing pathways to citizenship for undocumented immigrants and expanding opportunities for legal migration aligns with progressive viewpoints on immigration reform, while contrasting with conservative calls for stricter border control and enforcement measures.
