When it comes to coping with the wave of migration at the southern U.S. border, Donald Trump and the Democrats trying to unseat him are squarely on opposite sides of the fence.
Elizabeth Warren yesterday unveiled a plan to "decriminalize" immigration violations, in sharp contrast to Trump's hard-line stance.
Warren rolled out her policy before a town hall in Wisconsin – a presidential battleground state – where the Massachusetts senator and several of her rivals for the Democratic nomination detailed their immigration visions to a Hispanic audience.
With federal officials expected to launch immigration raids this weekend across the U.S., the Democratic candidates are striving to appeal to Hispanic voters and capitalize on opposition to the administration's approach, which resonates with Trump's base.
Trump suffered a setback yesterday when he capitulated on his effort to add a citizenship question to the 2020 census that opponents said was meant to increase the political power of Republicans by skewing the survey's results to favor white voters. Undercounting non-citizens would dilute the political power of areas home to many such people, as the results of the once-a-decade questionnaire are used to re-draw congressional districts and allocate billions in federal funds.
It's too soon to tell how much the border debate will determine whether Trump wins a second term. But, with both the president and his potential opponents hardening their positions, the outcome could have real consequences for those in the U.S. illegally.
- Kathleen Hunter
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