Todd Bensman, a journalist and author with expertise in immigration policy, delves into Kamala Harris's recent shifts toward more moderate immigration stances. He explores the political tensions this creates, especially among Republican critics. The conversation highlights the complexities of U.S. immigration strategies, the implications of the Darien Gap as a migration route, and the evolving situation in Guatemala. Bensman also discusses how these issues could impact voter sentiment and future policies under a potential Democratic administration.
Kamala Harris's perceived flip-flopping on immigration policy highlights the conflicting pressures between bipartisan support and criticism from both party extremes.
The Biden administration's focus on diplomatic efforts with Mexico has proven more effective in reducing border crossings than introducing new immigration legislation.
Deep dives
Kamala Harris's Stance on Border Security
Kamala Harris has faced criticism for her perceived inconsistency regarding the bipartisan border security bill. Originally, she praised the bill, highlighting its potential support from both Democrats and conservative Republicans. However, her critics argue that the bill controversially proposed allowing 1.8 million crossings, which is seen as a step toward open borders. This has led to concerns that her administration's approach may undermine existing immigration laws designed to prevent illegal crossings.
Biden's Diplomatic Approach to Limit Immigration
The Biden administration's immigration strategy includes diplomatic efforts with neighboring countries, notably Mexico, to control illegal crossings. By reaching agreements that deploy Mexican troops to deter movements towards the U.S. border, Biden has successfully reduced crossing numbers. This strategy highlights that substantial changes don’t necessarily require new legislation but instead effective diplomacy and law enforcement. The podcast suggests that the recent decrease in border crossings reflects the effectiveness of these actions rather than a need for new law.
Challenges of Addressing Root Causes of Migration
Harris has been tasked with addressing the root causes of migration from Central American countries, but critics argue this approach has been ineffective. The initiative aimed to bolster these nations economically to deter their citizens from emigrating. However, past evidence suggests that similar efforts have repeatedly failed, raising concerns about the practicalities of this strategy. With ongoing migration pressures and inadequate measures to address them, the podcast emphasizes the skepticism surrounding the effectiveness of the current approach to immigration.
In a CNN interview, Kamala Harris has been pressed on why her policies on immigration have become more moderate since 2019, when she ran for president. Republicans have been accusing her of flip-flopping on her border wall policy. In this episode, Matt McDonald, managing editor of The Spectator's US edition, fills in for Freddy whilst he's on holiday. Matt speaks to Todd Bensman, journalist, author, and fellow at the Center for Immigration Studies.
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