We’re Only a ‘Nation of Immigrants’ When It’s Convenient
The Democrats are the party that stands for immigrants and other marginalized groups — so long as there are no political costs involved. During the presidential campaign, Joe Biden denounced the naked cruelty of Donald Trump’s immigration policy loudly and often. The 2020 election was framed as a choice between a compassionate administration that would treat immigrants fairly and a monstrous nativist who separates families and cages children.
In his campaign literature, stump speeches and public statements, Biden frequently invoked the idea that the United States is a “nation of immigrants.” Biden promised to create a “fair and humane immigration system” to undo the damage caused by Trump’s “cruel and senseless” policies.
But when push comes to shove, all this flowery talk about ideals and values is exposed as nothing but empty rhetoric.
Though Biden attempted to signal a reset on immigration with some early executive actions, we’re back to business as usual. Facing an influx of migrants and mounting pressure from the right, Biden has the deportation machine running at full steam.
The thousands of Haitian refugees awaiting processing under a bridge at the Texas border represent the biggest test of Biden’s commitment to immigration and asylum reform — and he’s failing.
