President Biden entered office with significant goals to reform the U.S. immigration system. He aimed to secure the border, improve the asylum process, and protect Dreamers. On his first day, he proposed legislation to create a pathway to citizenship for millions of undocumented immigrants. His administration sought to bridge the partisan divide that has historically stalled immigration reform, describing the existing system as a “decades-old jalopy” in need of modernization.
However, over the past four years, many of Biden’s objectives faced challenges. A global surge in displaced individuals seeking refuge and strong Republican opposition hindered progress. Critics used images of a chaotic border to undermine Biden politically. While his initial efforts to reverse harsh policies from the previous administration received praise from liberals, they also attracted criticism from conservatives who claimed these changes encouraged more migrants to come to the border. In response to rising tensions, Biden adopted stricter measures, drawing ire from immigration advocates.
Ultimately, Biden’s immigration legacy is marked by a significant reduction in illegal border crossings, which fell to their lowest levels in over four years. At the peak of the surge in late 2023, around 250,000 migrants crossed into the U.S. in a single month. By the time voters prepare for the next presidential election, that number has decreased to about 50,000—lower than during parts of his predecessor’s term.
Despite this achievement, the immigration system remains fundamentally flawed, with some policies merely shifting problems deeper into the country. As immigration becomes a central issue in one of the closest presidential races in recent history, former President Donald Trump has overlooked declining border numbers and instead used public dissatisfaction with immigration as a political tool. Meanwhile, Vice President Kamala Harris has distanced herself from Biden’s policies while rejecting Trump’s inflammatory rhetoric.
Critics argue that the lack of progress during Biden’s term means millions of immigrants’ futures depend on the outcome of next year’s election. The visions for immigration reform from potential candidates could not be more different: Harris supports a balanced approach combining enforcement with empathy, while Trump advocates for mass deportations and stricter border controls.
Heidi Altman, director of federal advocacy at the National Immigration Law Center, stated, “For too long, our nation’s leaders have treated immigration as a political football instead of tackling long-term solutions.”
As Biden took office, he did not initially focus on border issues. However, by early 2021, it became evident that the COVID-19 pandemic had exacerbated global instability and famine, leading many to flee their homes. By spring 2021, thousands of unaccompanied children were crossing into the U.S., seeking refuge.
To manage this influx, Biden adopted some Trump-era measures aimed at preventing illegal crossings and imposed new restrictions when previous bans were lifted. Additionally, he sought to create new legal pathways for approximately 1.3 million immigrants from countries like Cuba and Venezuela to enter without risking dangerous crossings.
These strategies helped reduce illegal crossings but also resulted in many migrants living in U.S. cities without clear legal status. When Biden was elected, over three million migrants were released into communities while awaiting court decisions; this number has since more than doubled.
Trump has seized on these statistics to make immigration a central theme of his campaign for re-election. He accused Biden and Harris of leaving borders open and blamed them for increased violence associated with migrant gangs.
While experts assert that Trump’s claims are exaggerated, his campaign believes such rhetoric will resonate with supporters anxious about economic and security issues. Despite acknowledging some disappointment over limited progress on immigration reform due to Republican opposition, Biden’s administration maintains pride in its achievements at the border.
Biden’s team argues that their approach is effective and balanced but critics say it fails to address broader systemic issues within immigration policy. Jason Houser, a former senior ICE official during Biden’s term, noted that focusing solely on border enforcement creates misconceptions about how to solve migration challenges.
As migrants continued arriving during Biden’s presidency, many moved further north into cities across America. Some were bused by Republican governors aiming to demonstrate the challenges faced by Democratic leaders regarding migrant populations.
Cities receiving these migrants have struggled with housing and service demands, prompting calls from even Democratic leaders for tougher enforcement measures. For example, Denver recently closed its last emergency shelter after absorbing over 40,000 migrants in two years.
Despite these challenges, millions remain undocumented and without pathways to citizenship. Cultural tensions have also risen in areas like Springfield, Ohio, where an influx of Haitian migrants sparked controversy.
Biden’s initial proposal aimed at comprehensive reform faced staunch Republican opposition and led him to make smaller changes instead. He reversed certain deportation policies affecting veterans and implemented protections for migrants in vulnerable situations while proposing community sponsorship programs for newcomers.
Ultimately, however, Biden’s attempts at sweeping immigration reform have been stymied by political divides that show no signs of resolution before next year’s election—leaving critical decisions about immigration policy up to his successor.
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