The United States-Mexico border has seen a major influx of migrants in recent years (see chart), overwhelming the immigration system and some cities. According to Pew Research, 77% of Americans describe the situation at the southern border as either a “crisis” or a “major problem,” catapulting immigration to a top issue among voters.
U.S.-Mexico Border Patrol Encounters by Year
Source: U.S. Border Patrol
While most agree the current system is broken, there are disagreements on how to fix it. So, you’re probably wondering, what are the two sides? Glad you asked…
Both Sides
Republicans generally support tighter border security and deportations of immigrants who entered illegally. They emphasize this as a way to reduce crime, protect the American economy, and be fair to those who follow the legal pathway to citizenship.
Democrats generally support fewer barriers to entry and decreased deportations, placing greater importance on creating pathways to legal status for people who came here without legal documentation, especially as children (a.k.a. “Dreamers”).
Candidate Stances
Vice President Harris supports creating legal pathways to citizenship and decreasing deportations. The daughter of immigrant parents (Jamaican father, Indian mother), she has advocated for a position of deterrence, securing nearly $5 billion in funding from the private sector to combat the root causes of immigration (economic instability, crime, etc.) in Central American countries. This year, she supported a bill to increase border security funding.
Former President Trump supports increased border security and widescale deportation of undocumented/illegal immigrants. While in office, he began construction on “The Wall” along the U.S.-Mexico border, instituted the “Remain in Mexico” policy, prohibited issuing visas to citizens of 14 majority-Muslim countries, and supported legislation that would have reduced the levels of legal immigration by 50% and imposed a refugee cap.
Terms to Know
Not sure this 200-word explainer made you an immigration expert? Don’t worry, we’ve got (a bit) more. Here are some simple definitions for terms commonly referenced in the immigration debate.
- Refugee/Asylum Seeker: Someone who is unable or unwilling to return to their home country for fear of persecution. Requesting asylum (typically) allows temporary legal entry into the country until an immigration judge can assess the merits of their claim.
- “Remain in Mexico” Program: This program, officially named the “Migrant Protection Protocols,” was a Trump-era policy that required most asylum seekers on the southern border to remain in Mexico until a U.S. immigration judge assessed the merits of their asylum claim.
- Title 42: A pandemic-era restriction that allowed the quick expulsion of most migrants in order to “stop the introduction of communicable diseases.” It ended in May 2023 when the public health emergency for COVID-19 was lifted.
- Dreamers: Undocumented/illegal immigrants who arrived in the United States as children and were then raised and educated in America. Most have lived the majority of their lives in the United States. The policy protecting “Dreamers” from deportation is called Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA).
- Sanctuary City: A local jurisdiction that limits or denies cooperation with federal immigration authorities seeking to deport undocumented/illegal immigrants.
Eternal Perspectives
While you likely have no control over U.S. border policy, you are an important part of Christ’s mission to demonstrate his love for the world. Reflect his inexhaustible compassion by humbly and unconditionally loving your neighbors here and abroad.
”After this I looked, and there was a vast multitude from every nation, tribe, people, and language, which no one could number, standing before the throne and before the Lamb.”
Revelation 7:9 (CSB)
This is part of our Election Collection articles series, created to help Christians grow in understanding and compassion on key issues surrounding the 2024 presidential election.
Last Updated: July 30, 2024
