2024 presidential candidates on immigration enforcement

2024 presidential candidates on the issues

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Presidential candidates
Republican nomination

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This page includes statements from the 2024 presidential candidates on immigration enforcement. These statements were compiled from each candidate's official campaign website, editorials, speeches, and debates.

The candidates featured on this page were the noteworthy Democratic and Republican candidates in the 2024 presidential election. Only candidates who addressed this page's issue on their campaign website, in public statements, or in public speeches have a quote featured on this page. See something we missed? Email us. The active noteworthy presidential candidates as of November 5, 2025, were:

Kamala Harris (D)
Donald Trump (R)
Chase Oliver (L)
Jill Stein (G)

Immigration enforcement

Democratic candidates

Kamala D. Harris

Harris' campaign website said, "As President, she will bring back the bipartisan border security bill and sign it into law. At the same time, she knows that our immigration system is broken and needs comprehensive reform that includes strong border security and an earned pathway to citizenship." ^{[source, as of 2024-09-09]}

Dean Phillips

Phillips' campaign website said, "Dean supports comprehensive immigration reform, including enhanced border security, a pathway to citizenship for those here now, and a streamlined process for those seeking to enter the country legally." ^{[source, as of 2023-12-19]}

Marianne Williamson

Williamson's campaign website listed the following policies, "Repeal section 212(a)(9)(B)(ii) of the Immigration and Nationality Act concerning Accruing Unlawful Presence. Currently, unlawful presence is accrued if: You are present in the United States without being admitted or paroled; or. You have remained in the United States after the expiration of the period of stay authorized by the DHS secretary. [...] Abolish ICE and establish an Office of Citizenship, Refugees, and Immigration Services under the Department of Labor. Redirect all funding to processing centers that connect/provide immigrants and refugees with resources and housing, work, and healthcare upon arrival." ^{[source, as of 2023-12-19]}

Republican candidates

Ryan Binkley

Binkley's campaign website said, “We need an immigration system that secures the border, identifies and removes dangerous illegal immigrants, and provides a realistic, compassionate, and effective solution for the millions of undocumented families who are already here. It’s time to bring the people living in our nation illegally out of the shadows by providing them with a realistic path to legal status. They won’t jump to the front of the line, but it’s time to give them a place in that line. That’s the only way to know who is in our nation while also stopping the flow of drugs, violence, and human misery across our southern border." ^{[source, as of 2023-12-19]}

Ron DeSantis

DeSantis’ campaign website said “DeSantis will end catch-and-release. If you cross illegally, you will be detained until your hearing date. DeSantis will reimpose Remain in Mexico. If you arrive at a port of entry on the US-Mexico border claiming asylum, you will not enter the United States while your claim is being processed. [...] He will allow ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations officers to do their jobs and focus on illegal alien entries under Biden's border crisis and those with criminal records. DeSantis will cease funding the non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and international organizations engaged in facilitating illegal alien processing, human smuggling, and encouraging mass migration on behalf of the Biden administration while seeking to reprogram that money for ICE operations. DeSantis will direct the Department of State and the Department of Homeland Security to reinstate Asylum Cooperative Agreements with Northern Triangle Countries immediately.” ^{[source, as of 2023-12-19]}

Nikki Haley

Haley’s campaign website said, “Nikki is the proud daughter of legal immigrants who believes we are a country of laws, and laws must be enforced. She aggressively cracked down on illegal immigration and took on Barack Obama and the D.C. liberals when they stood in the way. In 2011, she signed one of the toughest immigration laws in the country, giving law enforcement more power to check whether people are illegal immigrants. When the ACLU and President Obama sued, Nikki fought back.” ^{[source, as of 2023-12-19]}

Donald Trump

Trump's campaign website said, "Joe Biden turned our country into one giant sanctuary for dangerous criminal aliens when he suspended all immigration enforcement in the middle of a global pandemic and reversed landmark agreements that safely returned asylum-seekers to Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras, and El Salvador. The onslaught of illegal aliens invading our wide-open borders threatens public safety, drains the treasury, undermines U.S. workers, and burdens schools and hospitals. President Trump will shut down Biden’s border disaster. He will again end catch-and-release, restore Remain in Mexico, and eliminate asylum fraud. In cooperative states, President Trump will deputize the National Guard and local law enforcement to assist with rapidly removing illegal alien gang members and criminals. He will also deliver a merit-based immigration system that protects American labor and promotes American values." ^{[source, as of 2023-12-21]}