Governor Ron DeSantis of Florida stated that he would send special forces into Mexico to combat drug cartels. He emphasized his commitment to doing so on day one and pledged to declare a national emergency. He further stated that force would be used to eliminate drug pushers bringing fentanyl across the border.
During the first presidential debate, Republican candidates engaged in heated discussions on abortion, climate change, and their allegiance to former President Donald J. Trump. However, there was unanimous agreement on the issue of immigration, with candidates outdoing each other in proposing aggressive military responses to unauthorized immigration and drug trafficking. Law enforcement data reveals that the majority of illicit substances are transported through official ports of entry, contradicting the narrative that migrants are responsible.
Former Vice President Mike Pence affirmed that the United States would collaborate with the Mexican military to combat cartels causing harm in the country.
The debate mainly focused on the threats posed by immigration rather than highlighting its positive contributions to American society. This reflects the profound influence of immigration as a key issue in Republican politics, championed by Donald Trump since his 2016 campaign. Trump’s emphasis on the border has led fringe proposals to become mainstream within the party.
Republican candidates in the current campaign cycle have adopted Trump’s rhetoric on the southern border, advocating for military interventions against drug cartels and viewing migrants as invaders. Surveys demonstrate increasing frustration among various demographic groups, including Democrats, regarding the influx of migrants and the resulting strain on cities.
Nevertheless, there is a clear partisan divide on the issue, with a majority of Republicans desiring fewer immigrants and asylum-seekers compared to a minority of Democrats. While Gallup polls indicate a decrease in the number of Americans who view immigration positively, most remain supportive of immigration and opposed to reducing the number of immigrants.
The consequences of the immigration debate are particularly evident in New York, where over 100,000 migrants have arrived, with a significant portion ending up in shelters. A recent poll reveals that large majorities of Democrats, Republicans, and independents in both the city and upstate New York view migrants, especially asylum-seekers, as a serious problem. A significant percentage of voters believe that migrants have been more burdensome than beneficial to the state.
Unauthorized border crossings have declined recently due to measures introduced by the Biden administration, which facilitates orderly entry through appointments or sponsorship. However, the fentanyl crisis remains a primary concern, with candidates pointing to overdose deaths as indicative of the border crisis.
Senator Tim Scott of South Carolina urged the termination of 87,000 newly hired I.R.S. agents and the doubling of border patrol agents to address the pressing issues at the southern border. He suggested that with sufficient funding, the border wall could be completed and military-grade technology could be employed to halt the flow of fentanyl and save lives. Vivek Ramaswamy called for the diversion of resources sent to Ukraine to protect against the perceived invasion across the southern border. Chris Christie advocated for the detention of all individuals entering the country unlawfully but acknowledged the need to address the situation of those who follow legal protocols.
President Biden has consistently highlighted that congressional action is necessary to address the broken immigration system. However, the polarized political climate has significantly diminished the prospects of bipartisan legislative solutions.