Biden is trying to fix Trump’s broken immigration system

President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump are visiting the U.S.-Mexico border today, and voters will hear dueling messages about what each believes the other has done or not done. It turns out. Therefore, it is important to debunk this huge myth. How Trump was successful The theme was border security and the crackdown on illegal immigration.

Trump was not successful. In fact, he made the problem worse, destroying the legal immigration system by failing to stop illegal immigration.

But Democrats need to do a better job of highlighting these failures, while resisting the urge to lean into enforcement-only MAGA-inspired actions that betray America’s values ​​and values. We need to be more proactive about balanced solutions that people like. I failed In the past.

according to Kato Institute, data A report released late last year found that under the Biden administration, the Department of Homeland Security “had a higher apprehension and removal rate at border crossings in its first two years than the Trump Department of Homeland Security did in the previous two years.” “It’s expensive.” Additionally, the data shows that under the Trump administration, immigrants were more likely to be released after being apprehended at the border.

DHS under the Biden administration It is deporting 3.5 times as many people per month as DHS did under the Trump administration. These facts are critical as Americans decide who is trying to do the job of protecting our borders and who is trying to cover up a complete failure and pass it off as a mythical success story. This data shows how each administration has fulfilled (or failed to fulfill) its border enforcement responsibilities.

Second, legal access is a key part of ensuring a well-managed flow of needed workers and maintaining our commitment to protecting those fleeing persecution who are legally seeking asylum and refugee status. Let’s take a look at how the Trump administration has worked to strengthen the immigration system. This is also an important part of the argument if we are to take it as seriously as the Republicans are so eager to tout it. How much do they support “legal immigration”?

By the end of 2020, the Trump administration had made even more cuts. 80% or more The number of green cards issued increased and the number of refugee arrivals decreased by a significant 92 percent. Some of that can be attributed to the pandemic, but the number of green cards and refugees began to decline from the moment President Trump took office. Additionally, he reduced the overall volume. Legal immigration system cut in half By July 2020, he didn’t stop there.

So when Biden took office, the immigration and asylum system was in complete tatters and in dire need of rebuilding. According to David Beers, Deputy Director of Immigration Studies, Cato Institute unilaterally invalidated asylum laws,” returning to persecution and torture. ” Biers argues that the Biden administration: brought the system back from the brink.increased legal channels, protected refugees, and expanded work permits for immigrants to work legally.

Such facts are rarely heard in discussions of this controversial issue. But these are questions about who really has the knowledge, experience, and best intentions to lead and reform a broken system, and who wants to further weaponize the issue for personal political gain. It is extremely important for Americans to understand in determining who is thinking.

A few weeks ago, the Republican Party, under the leadership of President Trump, killed its own border security bill It included a Republican wish list of security-only proposals that Democrats helped negotiate as a first step toward controlling the flow of migrants at the southern border. But once President Trump saw the bill passed with the support of a Democratic majority, he knew he couldn’t weaponize the problem even though a solution was at hand. This unfortunate episode proves that Trump and the MAGA-controlled House leadership are not interested in solutions, only in using the border and immigration as political fodder.

Americans know better. But they need to hear more common sense leaders spell out the solutions they support. Rep. Tom Suozzi did just that in the recent special election, and it was a big reason he won. Mr. Suozzi leaned toward a balanced approach, including strong border security measures and expanding legalization pathways for more immigrants. Like most Americans, he understood that immigration was a net positive for our country. recent reports The surge in immigration represents a $7 trillion gift to our economy over the next decade.

The Biden administration is far from perfect on immigration. But they rebuilt the broken system handed down to them by President Trump, destroying most of the legal channels and increasing illegal flows.

So when you hear presidential candidates talk about the border, remember these facts. Americans should expect President Trump to make a fuss about invading immigrants, building walls, mass deportations, and separating families. Voters continue to reject this draconian approach. But only when contrasted with what voters support. A balanced, fair and humane solution This includes strict safety measures, but also increased legal recourse for Dreamers, essential workers, and long-term immigrants with families and thriving businesses.

President Biden has a unique opportunity to emphasize these approaches, flip the script on this divisive issue, and unite Americans around our founding values ​​and what works.

Maria Cardona is a longtime Democratic strategist, president of the Washington-based political consulting firm Dewey Square Group, and a political commentator for CNN/CNN Spanish.follow her @MariaTCardon.