DES MOINES, Iowa – Concerns about the flow of migrants across the southern border are a major focus for candidates and caucus attendees in the final days before the Iowa caucuses.
Despite living thousands of miles from the southern border, Republican caucus participants say they are feeling the effects of the situation there through the economy and drug trafficking.
And as Republicans in Washington rush toward a border deal, candidates are focusing on the issue.
“I'm tired of the Republicans,” DeSantis told supporters in West Des Moines on Saturday. “You see what they're doing in Washington right now with the border deal with the senators. Basically everything. “They are giving in to the Democratic Party,” he said.
The next day, at a rally at Simpson College in Indianola, former President Trump used the opportunity to attack President Biden over his handling of the border.
“As soon as I take the oath of office, I will end all of the Biden administration's open border policies and begin the largest deportation operation in American history,” Trump told his supporters.
Haley also addresses this issue and makes her case based on her own experience. Sen. Joni Ernst, R-Iowa, who has not yet endorsed a candidate, touted Haley's experience on the issue on NBC's “Meet the Press” on Sunday.
“Overall, when you look at national security, securing our borders and pushing back against adversaries around the world, Nikki Haley has experience there and she's really brought that to the voters of Iowa. '' Ernst told host Kristen Welker. “So that could be one of the tipping points that resonates with so many voters.”
Republicans and Democrats have expressed concern about the situation at the southern border. According to a CBS News report, the U.S. Border Patrol processed 225,000 migrants who crossed the southern border in the first 27 days of December. This number is a record for the Border Patrol.
In addition, Texas Governor Greg Abbott (R) has ordered the deportation of thousands of immigrants to Democratic-controlled cities such as New York and Chicago. Mr. Abbott cited the city's statues as a sanctuary city as a reason to bus migrants. Mr. DeSantis sent migrants from the Texas border to Martha's Vineyard last year.
The issue has dominated national media for months, making it a top issue for Americans no matter how far from the southern border.
“It's a bit of a sense of helplessness. In these towns, you see videos of people being put on and taken off buses in a downpour, and it's like, 'Who are the responsible adults who are supposed to be doing something?' That's what it feels like. So I’m kind of frustrated,” said Brad Boustead, an Urbandale Republican volunteer and Trump supporter.
45% of Americans said the situation at the southern border is a “crisis.” According to a CBS News poll It was released earlier this month. This figure was up from 38% in May. In the latest poll, 30% said it was very “serious.” A further 18% said it was “somewhat serious.”
Other polls show the issue is top of mind for Iowa Republican caucus attendees as well. A Des Moines Register/NBC News/Mediacom poll released in early November found that 80% of Iowa Republican caucus participants said “immigration and border security” were “very important.” . Immigration was a close second behind the economy and inflation, with 81% of Republican caucus participants calling it “very important.”
“People talk about economics on a regular basis. How much does gas cost? How much does food cost at the grocery store? I think candidates talk a lot about inflation, and it's creeping up on us in ways we don't see. ,” Boustead said. “I went to the store and it was a penny more expensive, and then I looked back and it was 30 percent more expensive. But when I go to a rally, when the president talks about border security, that's when people applaud. It is.”
Other members of the Republican caucus say the two issues are related.
“They're all the same. They're all one, 1-A. It's all important,” DeSantis District Director Cheryl said at a meet-and-greet with DeSantis in rural Atlantic. Sokol said.
“I'm tired of it as a taxpayer. I'm tired of it. Their health care is free, their phone calls are free, their money is free, everything is free. It's awful,” she continued.
“Oh yeah,” interjected Atlantic resident John Knudsen. He said he is torn between Trump and DeSantis. “Someone has to pay for it,” he continued. “I'm retired.
At the same breakfast, caucus member Brett Altman cited national security as the main reason for concern about the southern border.
“There are too many people coming into this country. We have no idea who they are and they could be causing a disaster or another terrorist attack,” he said.
Altman acknowledged that Iowa is geographically far from the southern border, but pointed to the border as a reason why other southwestern Iowa communities struggle with drug trafficking.
“I think the answer is drug trafficking. I think the origin of our drugs is Mexico,” Altman said. “Here in Atlantic, we're not as much of a melting pot as a lot of other places, but I think the influx of drugs into our country is probably the biggest thing for Atlantic, Iowa. .
“It seems like it's going everywhere, but I don't think the Atlantic Ocean is as bad as a lot of places in southwest Iowa.”
In recent weeks, Republican presidential candidates have attacked each other across the southern border. Trump and DeSantis have accused Haley of being weak on the issue and accused Trump of not keeping his 2016 campaign promise on immigration.
But his supporters don't blame him for not “getting the job done.”
“He didn't get as far as he wanted to, but that's a fact. Give him more time. Let him finish the stupid thing,” Boustead said.
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