Donald Trump presents himself as a supporter of legal immigration, clearly distinguishing between those who enter the United States legally and those who do not. He has stated, “We need people,” emphasizing the importance of legal immigration.
However, during his first term, Trump enacted policies that aimed to restrict legal immigration. His platform for the 2024 election suggests he would continue this trend. The Republican platform he supports proposes ending “chain migration,” a term used to describe the family-based immigration process that many Americans utilize to bring relatives to the U.S. Trump criticized this system during his presidency and attempted, unsuccessfully, to pass legislation that would reduce legal immigration.
He has pledged to reverse policies implemented by the Biden administration that allow thousands of Cubans, Haitians, Nicaraguans, and Venezuelans to enter the U.S. legally each month. While he has mentioned that foreign-born college graduates should receive green cards automatically, he made a similar promise in 2015 without following through.
Kica Matos, president of the National Immigration Law Center, described Trump’s claims in support of legal immigration as hard to believe, considering his history of anti-immigrant rhetoric.
Calls for Clarity
Immigration restrictionists are also seeking more clarity on Trump’s immigration stance. Eric Ruark, research director for NumbersUSA, noted that Trump has suggested linking green cards to degrees for foreign students but has not provided further details.
Ruark stated that simply declaring “illegal bad, legal good” does not adequately address the complexities of immigration issues. Trump has made controversial statements about undocumented immigrants, characterizing them as mostly criminals and promising mass deportations. At a recent town hall, he reiterated his support for legal immigration while emphasizing that he wanted immigrants to come to the U.S. through legal channels.
An advisor to Trump, who requested anonymity, acknowledged that the former president has always made a distinction between legal and illegal immigration. Trump’s increased emphasis on legal immigration aims to mitigate concerns from business supporters regarding potential labor shortages and inflation.
Public Sentiment on Immigration
Recent polls indicate that more Americans are leaning towards stricter immigration controls. A June Gallup survey found that 55% of Americans favor decreasing immigration, the highest percentage since 2001. Support for building a border wall has also risen, with 53% approval compared to 40% in 2019. Despite this, a majority believe that legal immigration should remain the same or increase.
Republican strategist Mike Madrid criticized Trump’s recent focus on legal immigration, arguing it is more about law and order than actual immigration policy. He suggested that this approach allows Republicans to appear pro-immigration while avoiding deeper discussions.
Concerns from Immigration Advocates
Advocates for immigration reform worry that Trump’s statements on legal immigration are mere campaign rhetoric. They fear that, if re-elected, he would push for policies to drastically reduce legal immigration levels, mirroring his previous administration’s efforts.
Analysts note that Trump would require congressional support to implement significant changes. With the upcoming election projected to be closely contested, a Republican majority in Congress could enable Trump to push for more restrictive immigration laws.
Since announcing his presidential candidacy in 2015, Trump has tied his campaign closely to immigration issues, often portraying undocumented immigrants negatively. During his presidency, he not only focused on illegal immigration but also sought to limit legal immigration. He enacted travel bans affecting predominantly Muslim countries and reduced refugee admissions to historic lows. He also attempted to change the citizenship process, making it more challenging for certain groups to gain citizenship.
Legislative Attempts and Controversies
In August 2017, Trump proposed a bill that would have significantly reduced family-based immigration, allowing only spouses and children under 21 to be sponsored by U.S. citizens. The proposed legislation aimed to cut the number of employment-based green cards and drastically limit refugee admissions.
Critics labeled this bill as an attempt to reshape the racial and ethnic composition of immigrants entering the U.S. In January 2018, Trump made derogatory remarks about immigrants from certain countries, expressing a preference for those from predominantly white nations.
While some of Trump’s immigration policies faced hurdles in Congress, the pandemic further curtailed immigration, as travel restrictions limited the number of arrivals.
In his current campaign, Trump has offered limited specifics about his approach to legal immigration. He continues to use the term “chain migration” to argue against family-based immigration, but the campaign has not clarified his position on cutting legal immigration rates.
Despite his rhetoric, immigration experts remain skeptical about Trump’s true commitment to supporting legal immigration. David Bier from the Cato Institute noted that Trump’s past statements do not align with his actions, suggesting that his promises may not materialize if he is elected again.
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