During Monday's broadcast of the Iowa caucuses on CBS, Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker (D) blamed former President Donald Trump, the 2024 Republican presidential candidate, for the surge in Venezuelan immigration, and said that “The reason is because it caused the chaos that happened in Venezuela and it caused so many people,” he said. Leave the country and seek asylum in the United States. ” And while immigration is “an important issue for people,” “what people really care about is the well-being of themselves and their families,” and economic issues are “an issue that really matters in people's personal lives.” ” he said. ”
“I think this is going to be an important issue for people,” Pritzker said, “and I think people will appreciate that Democrats have been at the table for years, literally decades, calling for comprehensive immigration reform and border security. We need to recognize that.” And Republicans are reluctant to come to the negotiating table and get anything done. In Washington, D.C., they appear to be walking away from the table once again. So, I–unfortunately, I'm not confident that we'll see any reform. And once again, Republicans are reluctant to work with the president. ”
asked Major Garrett, Washington correspondent for CBS News. But, as you know, Governor, the polling data reflects this, showing that more Americans, including independents, say they see a difference between Biden and Trump policies on immigration, admissions, and asylum seekers. I know it exists. The United States simply feels that there will be a time to report later, but the differences are so pronounced that it is no longer comfortable. That is within the president's control. Isn't that so? ”
“Well, we don't have a head-to-head race yet,” Pritzker said. “But if there was a head-to-head race, what would happen is that the chaos that occurred in Venezuela and caused so many people to leave the country and seek asylum in the United States. It's going to be easy to point out that it's Donald Trump. It's about Donald Trump.”
Pritzker continued, “The question is, once they get here, what policies can we put in place to prevent people from getting asylum? And the president has asked Congress, Republicans in Congress, to Asked for help. They're not willing to work with him. So, ultimately, when we got there, when there was a direct competition here, I had this pointed out to people. And I think they'll realize that it's Donald Trump and the Republican Party that have been holding us back from achieving real immigration reform.”
Garrett then asked, “Governor, do I hear you correctly saying that President Biden can fight to a tie on immigration, or that he can actually win on immigration?”
Pritzker responded: “I think it's an issue that Democrats can win on. That said, if you look at today's polls, you can understand that if you fight to a tie, you'll end up pretty good. And the reality is that people really care. It's about your own well-being, your family's well-being, your economic situation, and the situation in this country is getting better every day. People are earning more than before. Our wages are high; Their wages are outpacing inflation. Inflation is coming down. Gas prices are coming down. We have, frankly, the best energy-independent country ever. And manufacturing in the United States. It's Joe Biden who's bringing business back. I mean, these are all things that really matter in people's personal lives. And again, the economy continues to improve and people are feeling it. So that will be beneficial to President Biden.”
“Things have gotten much better since the summer,” Pritzker added.
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