Biden's rightward shift on immigration angers advocates. But it's resonating with many Democrats

[Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin]

Last edited Mon Feb 19, 2024, 06:02 PM - Edit history (1)

LAS VEGAS (AP) — In his 2020 campaign, Joe Biden vowed to undo former President Donald Trump ’s immigration policies, specifically expressing frustration with a policy setting limits on the number of asylum seekers accepted each day at the southern border.

This year, Biden backed a Senate proposal that would have set daily limits on border crossings — and Democrats are planning to campaign to reelect him by emphasizing that Republicans caused the deal to collapse.

Democrats are reframing the immigration debate, going from embracing more welcoming policies in response to the Trump administration’s programs at the border — including its separation of hundreds of immigrant children from their parents — to declaring that they can get tough on border security and adopt policies long sought by Republicans. Biden’s rhetorical shift risks straining his support from immigrants and their advocates who campaigned for him in 2020, but it appears to be working for Democrats after they won a special election in New York.

“We need to lean into this and not just on border security, but, yes, tough border security coupled with increased legal pathways,” said Maria Cardona, a Democratic strategist. “They tried it the Republican way, and Republicans were not serious about that.”

https://apnews.com/article/immigration-biden-trump-election-3e27793981ecda46d1b87d996f04dce0

I don't know if it's such a rightward shift. Remember Obama was called by many in the far left "the Deporter in Chief".

[Lunabell]

1. I don't agree with this.

But, it needs to happen. We can't have a republican near the oval office ever again.

[TwilightZone]

2. It's more a sense of being realistic than a right-ward shift.

It's pretty clear that something has to change, and I think the admin knows that it will have to be dealt with, so it's better to do it on their watch than the alternative. That way, they can influence the discussion and its resultant policy.

[KPN]

3. Frankly, I think it's a necessary and, for that reason, great move. Take the wind out of the

GOP con game!

[stopdiggin]

4. any rational discussion

needs to begin with a clear eyed assessment of the fragmented and dysfunctional system we are saddled with today. Our political class has been kicking this can down the road for a good 30-40 years - with no serious attempt to either fix existing problems or at revision and adjustment to address new realities.

Climate change and political destabilization almost assure that this continues to grow. (not only U.S. but globally)

I don't blame Biden - on the simple grounds that it is pure DELUSION to imagine a political solution deriving from the current Congress. Same time, I am not going to fault any moves the man is trying to make from the executive at this time - with the understanding that any attempt at treating a festering sore - is better than turning a blind eye.

[applegrove]

5. Canada's immigration laws are more conservative than current US mmigration law.

[Blue_Adept]

6. Big echoes of why Democrats went in on things like the crime bill in the 90s

Maybe "modern" Democrats and liberals will understand why that happened back then now.

[speak easy]

7. Yes, the 1994 Crime Bill was a masterstroke

which paid off handsomely in the midterms, losing the House for the first time since 1946

[David__77]

8. That is an excellent point.

If it is opportunism, it better get the desired result to be considered effective opportunism.