Curbing illegal immigration and securing borders remains a prominent pledge made by US presidential candidates to gain favour among American voters. Both President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump recently visited the US-Mexico border to emphasise their respective efforts to ensure border security.
Reports indicate that around 2.5 million undocumented migrants crossed into the United States through this border in 2023, contributing to concerns over overwhelmed processing facilities and strained social services in major American cities.
US authorities have revealed that Indians constitute the third-largest group of illegal immigrants in the United States, with over 7,00,000 individuals.
Meera Shankar, the Former Indian Envoy to the US, emphasised the Indian government's preference for facilitating legal migration and addressing the challenges posed by illegal immigration. She acknowledged the complexities of the issue and highlighted the need for a balanced approach to immigration policies.
“I don't think the Government of India supports illegal immigration. Legal migration of people from India to the US has been happening. So our preference would be for the system in the US to have provisions which make it easier to process legal immigration and make it difficult for illegal immigration, because it is an issue which alarms Americans today,” Shankar said in an interview with CNBC-TV18.
The issue of illegal immigration has been a contentious one, with contrasting approaches from the Trump and Biden administrations. Shankar argues that Trump's measures, such as travel bans and family separations, faced significant backlash and legal challenges. On the other hand, some accuse Democrats of being lax on immigration enforcement.
President Biden has proposed a $20 billion Border Security Bill aimed at strengthening the border security apparatus. However, the bill faces opposition from Republicans for partisan reasons, adding a layer of complexity to the ongoing debate.
Recent polls indicate that 18% of Americans consider immigration the most pressing problem facing the country.
The tragic incident involving the death of a 22-year-old student, Laken Riley, has heightened concerns about border safety. The arrest of a 26-year-old Venezuelan migrant on charges of murder and other felonies has sparked political blame games, with Donald Trump and the Republican Party accusing the Biden administration of inadequately addressing border security.
While Trump is known for his opposition to legal immigration, experts argue that his restrictive policies did not significantly impact the population of undocumented immigrants.
Trump's proposed mass deportation program and calls to reduce legal immigration by 60–70% face criticism for potentially harming the US economy.
Douglas G Rivlin, Senior Director of Communication at America's Voice, notes that most Americans desire a balanced approach, including border security, law enforcement, and support for legal immigration to address labour shortages in various sectors.
“What Trump is putting on the table is really nationalist, keep them all out and keep them all down kind of approach. And that has not really worked very well for him in the 2018, 2020 and 2022 elections. And I don't think it's going to work very well for him this time around either,” Rivlin stated.
President Biden has urged Donald Trump to collaborate and support a bipartisan Border Security Bill, emphasising the importance of collective efforts in addressing the complex challenges of immigration.
As the debate over immigration policies intensifies, finding a comprehensive and bipartisan solution remains crucial. Balancing border security, law enforcement, and support for legal immigration is key to addressing the concerns of both citizens and policymakers.
Watch the accompanying video for the entire conversation
(Edited by : Ajay Vaishnav)
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