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Home News Democrats Divided On Immigration As Trump Pushes For Tougher Measures

Democrats Divided On Immigration As Trump Pushes For Tougher Measures

by Celia

When Donald Trump took office in 2017, promising to crack down on immigration, he faced widespread protests from Democrats who vowed to fight him at every turn. This time, however, Democrats have sent an immigration bill to his desk within his first week in office, highlighting a shift in the party’s stance.

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The Democratic Party, reeling from election losses, has been divided in its response to Trump’s push against illegal immigration. The stakes are high as Trump aims to seal off the U.S.-Mexico border to asylum seekers and deport millions of immigrants without permanent legal status.

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“I think Donald Trump has painted the Democratic Party into a corner on immigration, and it’s going to take us a while to get out of the corner,” said Sen. Michael Bennet, D-Colo. “I want us acting out of conviction about what we believe about immigration rather than out of fear.”

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Last week, 58 Democrats in the House and Senate voted to pass the Laken Riley Act, which requires federal authorities to detain migrants accused of serious crimes. This move has been seen by Republicans as a win on immigration, a key issue for them. They plan to continue pushing immigration legislation and a $100 billion package to support Trump’s border and deportation plans.

For legislation to advance in the Senate, 60 votes are needed, meaning Democrats’ support is crucial. Republicans currently hold a 53-47 majority. House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., praised the passage of the Laken Riley Act, named after a Georgia student killed by an undocumented immigrant.

When asked about Democratic support for the legislation, House Democratic leader Rep. Hakeem Jeffries was cautious, saying, “House Democrats are going to continue to make decisions based on what’s right for the districts that we represent, and the politics will take care of themselves.”

Many Democrats have shifted to the right on border security, emphasizing stricter enforcement after large numbers of migrants arrived during Joe Biden’s presidency. A January poll from The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research shows that half of U.S. adults think increasing border security should be a high priority, with another 30% considering it a moderate priority.

While most Democrats oppose deporting all undocumented immigrants, about 80% support deporting those convicted of violent crimes. The Biden administration focused on deporting threats to national security, while the Trump administration plans to start with immigrants tied to crime.

Sen. Ruben Gallego, a Democrat who won in Arizona last year, supports legislation like the Laken Riley Act, saying it reflects his constituents’ desires for sane border security and common-sense solutions. “They want to see bad people get deported. They want to see an opportunity for good people to find a way to stay here,” Gallego said.

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