Help us improve in just 2 minutes—share your thoughts in our reader survey.
2020 presidential candidates on immigration
 Donald Trump Joe Biden Howie Hawkins Jo Jorgensen |
This page includes statements from the 2020 presidential candidates on immigration. These statements were compiled from each candidate's official campaign website, editorials, speeches, and interviews. Click the following links for policy statements about related issues: border security, DACA and Dreamers, and immigration enforcement.
The candidates featured on this page are the 2020 presidential nominees from the Democratic, Republican, Libertarian, and Green parties.
Donald Trump Joe Biden Howie Hawkins Jo Jorgensen
Immigration
Republican candidates
Donald Trump
Donald Trump's campaign website says, "President Trump has enforced immigration laws to protect American communities and American jobs. Upon entering office, President Trump called on Congress to fully fund a wall along the Southern border, to close legal loopholes that enable illegal immigration, to end chain migration, and to eliminate the visa lottery program. Under President Trump’s leadership, the Department of Homeland Security took action to wind down the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program in an orderly fashion, following the assessment of the Department of Justice (DOJ) that DACA lacks legal authorization. The Department of Homeland Security launched the office of Victims of Immigration Crime Engagement (VOICE). The President released his immigration reform proposal which calls for the transition to a merit-based immigration plan." [source, as of 2020-06-22]
Mark Sanford
Mark Sanford's campaign website says, "I view the immigration issue primarily through the principle of fairness and the rule of law. To have a thousand people a day illegally crossing our border, or for that matter, overstaying their visa, is to make a mockery of the rule of law. It's also not fair to the millions who are either waiting for their chance to come to our country, or have already gone through the legal immigration process. My votes and stands in Congress and the Governorship have been consistent with this view. I believe in a secure border. I have voted for wall funding, and also believe we need to update the amnesty laws in our country. I believe furthermore that we should increase the number of work permits to our country, end chain migration, and move from a family reunification system to a merit based system that attracts the skill sets we need to make America more competitive." [source, as of 2019-09-10]
Joe Walsh
In an interview on PBS, Joe Walsh said, "The situation at our border now is a bigger mess than it was when he got elected. Why is that? Because all he talked about, Judy, was this wall, wall, wall, wall, and Mexico's going to pay for it. He hasn't done anything at the border. We have a humane crisis right now at our border, people coming to claim asylum. That has nothing to do with a wall. Certainly, anybody trying to come into the country illegally, I would be tougher. And then so that's the second piece. People coming into the country illegally, there's got to be no exception. But people coming here to claim asylum, which is a legal thing to do, totally different group of people. And those people right now — and that's our biggest crisis at the border right now — those people have to be dealt with humanely, and as quickly as we can deal with their asylum claims. Again, anybody around the world has the right to come here and claim asylum, OK? It's our responsibility — this is a fundamental difference, Judy, with me and the president. It's our responsibility to hear those claims. Now, we do a lousy job now of doing that. We have got to devote the resources to do — deal with those a lot quicker." [source, as of 2019-08-27]
Bill Weld
Bill Weld said in a speech, "When it comes to immigration, we should adopt a robust guest worker program, to assist our agricultural and construction industries, particularly in the western states. We don’t need a path to citizenship for eleven million people, but we do need more and longer work visas. Under the current regime, we’re simply educating our competition in our graduate schools, and then sending them home to China and other economic competitors of the U.S. We may not need a long impenetrable wall, but we do need short-term bridges." [source, as of 2019-02-15]
Democratic candidates
Joe Biden
Joe Biden's campaign website says he will adopt some of the following immigration enforcement policies in his first 100 days in office: "Immediately reverse the Trump Administration’s cruel and senseless policies that separate parents from their children at our border. End Trump’s detrimental asylum policies. End the mismanagement of the asylum system, which fuels violence and chaos at the border. Surge humanitarian resources to the border and foster public-private initiatives. End prolonged detention and reinvest in a case management program. Reverse Trump’s public charge rule. End the so-called National Emergency that siphons federal dollars from the Department of Defense to build a wall. Protect Dreamers and their families. Order an immediate review of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for vulnerable populations who cannot find safety in their countries ripped apart by violence or disaster." [source, as of 2020-06-18]
Michael Bloomberg
Mike Bloomberg's campaign website says, "The grandson of immigrants, Mike believes in the power of the American Dream. Throughout his career, he has been a passionate advocate for welcoming immigrants and fixing the broken immigration system. Immigrants make our country stronger, and Mike is focused on reclaiming America’s role as the beacon of freedom and opportunity for people from around the world."
His website continues, "Mike formed the pro-immigration organization New American Economy, representing more than 500 mayors and CEOs from all 50 states who are highlighting the contributions of immigrants. Mike ensured confidentiality of immigration status for all people who interacted with New York City government. Mike made New York City’s 311 government services hotline available in 170 languages and required city service agencies to provide translation and interpretation. Mike launched new programs to help immigrant entrepreneurs start and grow businesses and connect immigrants to legal assistance and social services. Mike’s Office of Immigrant Affairs was called a global model for cities seeking to better integrate and serve immigrant communities, and created blueprints to help mayors around America replicate successful programs and policies for immigrants." [source, as of 2019-12-11]
Cory Booker
Cory Booker's campaign website says that "Our immigration system is broken, and the Trump Administration’s inhumane policies stand in stark contrast to everything we say we stand for as a country. As president, Cory will work to fix our broken immigration system and ensure that America once again becomes a beacon of freedom, hope, and opportunity to the world for generations to come."
Booker's campaign website lists four immigration-related priorities: "End family separation and ensure that our immigration system is humane, fair, and respects immigrants’ rights by ending private detention facilities and not treating immigrants who cross our border seeking safety as criminals. Create an asylum process that recognizes the dignity of those who have taken extraordinary risks to seek safe haven in our country. Expand protections for DREAMers and people with Temporary Protected Status and Deferred Enforced Departure. Fight for a pathway to citizenship for the millions of undocumented immigrants living in the United States." [source, as of 2019-08-26]
Pete Buttigieg
Pete Buttigieg's campaign website says, "Common sense immigration reform must include a pathway to citizenship for immigrants living, working, paying taxes, and contributing to our American story, including DREAMers; resources to end the backlogs in our lawful immigration and asylum processes; and reasonable security measures at the border. Most Americans support such a package, and it is long past time for Washington to deliver."
Buttigieg's website also says, "We must reclaim our nation’s standing as a human rights leader by implementing common sense immigration reform that will secure our values. The greatest nation in the world should have nothing to fear from children fleeing violence. More importantly, children fleeing violence should have nothing to fear from the greatest nation in the world. We must remember that immigrants are an essential part of our American story. Immigration creates strong families and communities who contribute to our economic growth and participate in our vibrant democracy." [source, as of 2019-08-21]
Julián Castro
Julián Castro's campaign website says, "It's time for an immigration policy that puts people first. This moment demands that of us. And in order to meet the challenge, we must not only expand our political will, but also our moral imagination. We must remember what immigration means to our national identity, and who we want to be as a country."
Some of the policies Castro's website lists include: "Establish an inclusive roadmap to citizenship for undocumented individuals and families who do not have a current pathway to legal status, but who live, work, and raise families in communities throughout the United States. Provide a pathway to citizenship for Dreamers and those under Temporary Protected Status and Deferred Enforced Departure, through the Dream and Promise Act of 2019, and defend and expand DACA, TPS, and DED protections, and re-institute the Deferred Action for Parents of Americans program during the legislative process. Revamp the visa system and strengthen family reunification through the Reuniting Families Act. Repeal Section 1325 of Immigration and Nationality Act, which applies a criminal, rather than civil, violation to people apprehended when entering the United States. Reconstitute the U.S. Immigration and Custom Enforcement (ICE) by splitting the agency in half and re-assigning enforcement functions. Prioritize high-level diplomacy with our neighbors in Latin America, a region where challenges in governance and economic development have consequences to migration to the United States. Ensure higher standards of governance, rule-of-law, and anti-corruption practice as the heart of U.S. engagement with Central America." [source, as of 2019-08-28]
Tulsi Gabbard
Tulsi Gabbard's campaign website says, "We need comprehensive immigration reform to address our broken immigration laws and we need to have a serious conversation about the most effective and humane ways to compassionately secure our borders while building bridges and cooperative foreign policy with other countries. We need to ensure we have a clear, enforceable, accessible, and humane pathway to citizenship. Most urgently, we must pass DACA to ensure children who know no other home are allowed to remain in the US and take steps to ensure children are not separated from their parents. We must fund and equip agencies in charge of processing asylum claim and protect migrants, many of whom are women and children, who are going through our asylum process and fleeing natural disasters, religious persecution, or violence under an asylum status." [source, as of 2019-09-26]
Kamala D. Harris
Kamala Harris' campaign website says, "As president, Kamala will fight to pass immigration reform with a pathway to citizenship for the 11 million people living in our communities and contributing to our economy. While she wages that fight, she will immediately reinstate DACA and implement DAPA to protect DREAMers and their parents from deportation. She will also restore and expand Temporary Protected Status for hundreds of thousands of immigrants who would face war or catastrophe if forced to return home."
Her website continues, "Kamala also believes we must fundamentally overhaul our immigration enforcement policies and practices—they are cruel and out of control. As president, she’ll close private immigrant detention centers, increase oversight of agencies like Customs and Border Protection, and focus enforcement on increasing public safety, not on tearing apart immigrant families. For Kamala, this is about making America a place that welcomes immigrants searching for a better life. It’s why she’ll reverse President Trump’s Muslim Ban on Day One and fix the family visa backlog. Kamala also will immediately change course on President Trump’s disastrous and cruel border strategy. She understands that for many immigrant families, leaving home and arriving at our Southern border is not a choice. That’s why she will ensure those fleeing persecution have a full and fair opportunity to make their claim, aggressively pursue a foreign policy focused on stabilizing Central America where conditions have forced families to flee, and increase funding for processing centers and child welfare workers. Kamala will focus our border enforcement resources on true public safety threats through investments in technology and ports of entry to address the flow of illegal drugs, illegal weapons and human trafficking." [source, as of 2019-08-20]
Amy Klobuchar
Amy Klobuchar's campaign website says, "Comprehensive immigration reform is also crucial to moving our economy and our country forward. Amy supports a comprehensive immigration reform bill that includes the DREAM Act, border security and an accountable pathway to earned citizenship. She is committed to stopping the cruel and inhumane policy where the government is taking kids away from their parents."
Klobuchar's campaign also listed her priorities for her first 100 days in office online, which include "Jump-start legislative negotiations for comprehensive immigration reform with the stated goal of passing it in the first year. Protect DACA and TPS and Deferred Enforcement Departure designations. End the family separation policy. Raise the refugee admissions cap." [source, as of 2019-06-18]
Beto O'Rourke
Beto O'Rouke's campaign website says, "On day one, he will end child detention; reunite families; ensure separation never happens again; and remove the fear of deportation for Dreamers and their parents. He’ll also expedite the naturalization process for the 9 million immigrants already eligible for citizenship; create a pathway to earned citizenship for America’s 11 million undocumented residents; and partner with our neighbors to restore regional security—all while ensuring we remain a nation of laws."
Some of the policies listed on O'Rourke's website include: "Take immediate executive action to reverse President Trump’s policies, including family separation, metering, “Remain in Mexico,” as well as his denial of protection for women and children fleeing domestic violence and escaping from deadly gangs; and his Muslim Ban. Rescinding the current administration’s executive orders that seek to maximize detention and deportation. Immediately remove the fear of deportation for Dreamers and their parents and Temporary Protected Status and Deferred Enforced Departure beneficiaries, and begin work towards a permanent legislative solution. Create an earned pathway to citizenship for 11 million undocumented people that includes an immediate path for Dreamers and beneficiaries of programs like the Temporary Protected Status and Deferred Enforced Departure programs. Partner with others in the region to invest in economic development and stop violence and corruption." [source, as of 2019-08-27]
Bernie Sanders
Bernie Sanders supports creating a pathway to citizenship, providing legal status to DACA-eligible immigrants, and restructuring the Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency.
Sanders' campaign website proposes the following. "Enact comprehensive immigration reform, including a path towards citizenship. Expand DACA and DAPA, including providing immediate legal status for young people eligible for the DACA program and developing a humane policy for those seeking asylum. Completely reshape and reform our immigration enforcement system, including fundamentally restructuring ICE, an agency Senator Sanders voted against creating. End the barbaric practice of family separation and detention of children in cages. Dismantle cruel and inhumane deportation programs and detention centers. Establish standards for independent oversight of relevant agencies within DHS." [source, as of 2019-08-23]
Thomas Steyer
Tom Steyer tweeted, "The first step to comprehensive immigration reform is examining the factors that cause mass migration in the first place—which means we need a president who understands that climate change is real." [source, as of 2019-08-25]
Elizabeth Warren
Elizabeth Warren wrote in plan published online, "We must address the humanitarian mess at the border and reverse this president’s discriminatory policies. But that won’t be nearly enough to fix our immigration system. We need expanded legal immigration that will grow our economy, reunite families, and meet our labor market demands. We need real reform that provides cost-effective security at our borders, addresses the root causes of migration, and provides a path to status and citizenship so that our neighbors don’t have to live in fear."
Warren's six-point proposal on immigration includes the following. Under the heading "Eliminating Abusive Enforcement," she listed the following points: "Decriminalize migration and refocus enforcement on serious criminal activity. Separate law enforcement from immigration enforcement to strengthen our communities. Remake CBP and ICE in a way that reflects our values. Create accountability for the abuse perpetrated during the Trump Era." Warren listed the following under the heading "Significantly Reduce Immigration Detention": "End unnecessary detention. Eliminate private detention facilities. Expand the executive use of parole and invest in alternatives-to-detention." Warren listed the following under the heading "Provide Rights and Due Process in our Immigration Courts": "Establish professional, independent Article I immigration courts. Eliminate expedited removal and provide due process." Under the heading "Welcome Those In Need," Warren lists the following: "Reject exclusionary policies based on race, religion and nationality. Raise the refugee cap. Affirm asylum protections." Warren lists the following under the heading "Grow Legal Immigration and Establish a Fair and Achievable Path to Status": "Expand legal immigration. Make it easier for those eligible for citizenship to naturalize. Reduce the family reunification backlog. Repeal the 3- and 10-year bars. Provide a fair and achievable pathway to citizenship. Limit the penalties considered for status determinations. Create an Office of New Americans." Warren lists the following under the heading "Address the Forces Displacing Migrants from Their Home Countries": "Restore and increase aid. Step up efforts to address transnational crime. Inform and protect those seeking refuge." [source, as of 2019-07-11]
Andrew Yang
Andrew Yang's campaign website says, "Immigrants have been a source of hard work and innovation for America over the centuries. Without a doubt, the melting pot of our country has led to the most dynamic, most creative, and most successful nation in the history of the world. It’s also necessary to recognize that, as a nation, we need to maintain control of our immigration system. The current system we have in place, when it works, does a great job of ensuring that highly skilled, hard-working, and invested immigrants can come to this country and integrate, becoming new Americans who contribute greatly to our society."
Yang's website lists the following immigration proposals: "Secure the southern border and drastically decrease the number of illegal entries into the US. Provide a new tier of long-term permanent residency for anyone who has been here illegally for a substantial amount of time so that they can come out of the shadows, enter the formal economy, and become full members of the community. Invest heavily in an information campaign to inform immigrant communities of this new tier of residency, and deport any undocumented immigrant who doesn’t proactively enroll in the program." [source, as of 2019-08-28]
Green candidates
Howie Hawkins
Howie Hawkins' campaign website says, "The inhumanity of US immigration policy came to broad public attention in 2018 with the news coverage of forced separations of young children from their families on the southern US border. These crimes against humanity only underscored the long-standing brutality of US immigration policy, which has treated people from Mexico and Central America in particular as cheap labor to be imported or deported based on US labor demand, like apartheid South Africa once used Bantustans."
His website continues, "We will demand open borders where movement between nations is free, like it is in the European Union. International borders should be authentic fair-trade zones where people are free to travel across borders for work, shopping, or recreation. The status of undocumented immigrants should be legalized and provide a timely path to citizenship. People crossing international borders would be required to present their identification at a border crossing. Only people wanted for criminal charges or terrorist organization affiliation would be detained. People who cross without checking in at a border crossing would also be detained and checked at an official border crossing. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection (BPE) should be abolished and replaced with a new immigration agency with personnel committed to the open borders policy." [source, as of 2020-07-09]
Libertarian candidates
Jo Jorgensen
Jo Jorgensen's campaign website says the U.S. should not build a wall along the southern border or separate children from adults who illegally attempted to cross the border. Jorgensen supports deporting illegal immigrants who commit serious crimes. She opposes local law enforcement detaining illegal immigrants and transferring them to federal immigration authorities unless the crime involves a victim and is serious. [source, as of 2020-07-28]
Other policy pages
Criminal justice
Economy
- 2020 presidential candidates on coronavirus recovery
- 2020 presidential candidates on the economy
- 2020 presidential candidates on Social Security
- 2020 presidential candidates on the minimum wage
- 2020 presidential candidates on paid leave
- 2020 presidential candidates on taxes
Education
- 2020 presidential candidates on education
- 2020 presidential candidates on student loan debt
- 2020 presidential candidates on charter schools and voucher programs
Energy and environmental issues
- 2020 presidential candidates on energy and environmental issues
- 2020 presidential candidates on climate change
- 2020 presidential candidates on the Green New Deal
Foreign policy
- 2020 presidential candidates on foreign policy
- 2020 presidential candidates on China
- 2020 presidential candidates on Russia
- 2020 presidential candidates on North Korea
- 2020 presidential candidates on the Middle East and North Africa
- 2020 presidential candidates on South and Central America
Gun regulation
Healthcare
- 2020 presidential candidates on healthcare
- 2020 presidential candidates on the Affordable Care Act
- 2020 presidential candidates on Medicare for All
- 2020 presidential candidates on prescription drugs costs
Immigration
- 2020 presidential candidates on immigration
- 2020 presidential candidates on border security
- 2020 presidential candidates on DACA and Dreamers
- 2020 presidential candidates on immigration enforcement
Impeachment
Labor
- 2020 presidential candidates on labor policy
- 2020 presidential candidates on Janus v. AFSCME
- 2020 presidential candidates on public-sector unions
- 2020 presidential candidates on unionization and organization
- 2020 presidential candidates on the right to strike
Trade
Footnotes
