Trump vs biden: How different their immigration policy
Yes, we can compare the immigration policies of former President Donald Trump and President Joe Biden. While their respective policies have evolved over time, here is a general comparison based on their stances during their terms in office up until September 2021.
- Border security and wall construction:
Trump: Trump made building a wall along the U.S.-Mexico border a key part of his immigration policy. He advocated for stronger border security and allocated funds toward the construction of a physical barrier.Biden: Biden halted the construction of the border wall upon taking office, redirecting funds to other projects. His administration is focused more on addressing the root causes of migration and investing in modern border security technology.
- Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA):
Trump: The Trump administration sought to end the DACA program, which provides temporary protection from deportation and work permits for qualifying young undocumented immigrants who arrived in the U.S. as children.Biden: Biden supports the DACA program and has called on Congress to find a permanent solution for Dreamers, including a pathway to citizenship. His administration has reinstated the program, following court rulings that halted Trump’s attempts to terminate it.
- Refugee and asylum policies:
Trump: Trump’s administration implemented several measures to restrict access to asylum, including the Migrant Protection Protocols (MPP) or “Remain in Mexico” policy, which required asylum seekers to wait in Mexico while their cases were processed in the U.S. The administration also lowered the annual refugee admissions cap to historically low levels.Biden: Biden has promised to increase the annual refugee admissions cap and work on rebuilding the refugee resettlement program. His administration has begun the process of ending the MPP policy and is working on improving the asylum system.
- Family separation:
Trump: Under Trump’s “zero tolerance” policy, thousands of children were separated from their parents at the border as a result of the administration’s aggressive prosecution of illegal border crossings. This policy sparked widespread condemnation and was eventually halted.Biden: Biden has condemned the family separation policy and has issued an executive order to reunite separated families. His administration is working to address the consequences of the policy and prevent future separations.
- Legal immigration and travel bans:
Trump: Trump’s administration implemented several travel bans, predominantly targeting Muslim-majority countries, and made it more difficult for people to obtain visas, green cards, and citizenship. The administration also reduced legal immigration levels.Biden: Biden has reversed the travel bans and is working to streamline and improve the legal immigration system. He supports increasing the number of visas available for skilled workers and expanding access to citizenship for long-term residents.
These are just a few key points of comparison between Trump and Biden’s immigration policies. It is important to note that both administrations faced different challenges and contexts, and that immigration policy is influenced by a wide range of factors, including the economy, national security, and international relations.
