Former President Donald Trump has been ramping up his anti-immigrant rhetoric as he seeks a third term in the White House. With videos featuring migrants from various countries entering the U.S., Trump portrays them as dangerous criminals endangering America. This messaging, based on falsehoods about migration, resonates with many of his core supporters. On the other hand, President Joe Biden and his allies view the border situation as a policy dispute that Congress can address, criticizing Republicans for backing away from a border security deal after Trump’s criticism. However, Trump’s message seems to be gaining traction with key elements of the Democratic coalition that Biden will need to win over in the November elections.
Recent polls have shown that a significant majority of Americans disapprove of Biden’s handling of border security, including a significant portion of Democrats, Black adults, and Hispanic adults. Frustration with Biden’s immigration policies is also evident among racial justice activists and small business owners, who believe that the focus should be on economic investment in Black communities rather than sheltering new migrants. The situation at the border has led to a shift in allegiance for some voters, with former Democrats now backing Trump primarily due to concerns over the influx of migrants and perceived preferential treatment.
Experts warn against using dehumanizing language when discussing migrants, as Trump has done, by labeling them as criminals and disease carriers. While there is no evidence to support claims of foreign governments emptying jails to send criminals to the U.S., conservative media has highlighted crimes allegedly committed by undocumented individuals. Nonetheless, studies have shown that immigrants are less likely than native-born Americans to commit crimes. Trump’s characterization of migrants as a threat to national security and public health has fueled the immigration debate, with both sides gearing up to use the issue as a key point in the upcoming election.
The White House has considered executive actions to tighten immigration restrictions, bypassing Congress after the failure to pass a bipartisan deal endorsed by Biden. The president’s reelection campaign is targeting Latino audiences with ads criticizing Trump’s immigration policies. Trump accuses Biden of allowing criminals and terrorists to enter the country unchecked, depicting the situation at the border as an invasion orchestrated by Democrats. The heated rhetoric surrounding immigration has garnered attention from both extreme far-right groups and even Russian disinformation efforts, amplifying fears of a coming civil war as the election approaches.
Immigration has become a central issue in the upcoming election, with both Democrats and Republicans using it to paint each other in a negative light. While Biden aims to address the border situation as a policy challenge that can be resolved through legislation, Trump continues to fuel fears about migrants threatening the nation’s security and identity. The differing approaches to immigration highlight the deep divisions within American society and the political strategies employed by candidates to appeal to their base. As the debate intensifies, the impact of the border crisis is felt not just at the border but also in cities across America, where the influx of migrants has strained resources and sparked concerns about public safety and security.
