A sample of Democratic candidates’ views on immigration reform

Latest

Immigrant rights protest in New Orleans
Photo/Ted Quant

 
Various Democratic presidential candidates have called for reforming the immoral U.S. immigration system. Below is a representative sample of some of the more specific proposals.
Bernie Sanders: “Instead of demonizing the undocumented immigrants in this country, we are going to pass comprehensive immigration reform and provide a path toward citizenship for all of the undocumented. On our first day in office, through executive order, we’re going to provide legal status to the 1.8 million young people eligible for the DACA program and extend that program to their parents. We’re going to develop a humane border policy for those who seek asylum. We will not be a government which snatches babies from the arms of their mothers or puts children in cages. And we will put in end up to the disastrous raids of the ICE agency.”
Julian Castro: He would downgrade border crossing from a criminal to a civil offense, and chart a path to citizenship for undocumented immigrants, including Dreamers and those under Temporary Protected Status and Deferred Enforced Departure. He also calls for a 21st-century “Marshall Plan” for Central America. Castro would end the “Remain in Mexico” asylum policy and rescind the ban on refugees from certain countries. He would end the detention of immigrants, except in serious cases; eliminate the for-profit immigration detention and prison industry; end immigration raids at or near such location as schools, hospitals, churches and courthouses; and end local police cooperation with immigration agencies.
Elizabeth Warren: She would decriminalize crossing the border without papers, reduce immigration detention, and increase funding for aid to Central America. She would protect schools, medical facilities, and courthouses from immigration enforcement, and end deputizing local law enforcement as federal immigration officers. Warren would pare back immigrant detention overall and eliminate private detention facilities. She would to admit six to eight times as many refugees as Trump has in her first years as president, and would make it easier for asylum seekers to get a day in court. Warren would expand the DACA program for Dreamers and their families, and favors a path to citizenship for people who fall under Temporary Protected Status and Deferred Enforced Departure.

PT Logo collage
+ Articles by this author

The People’s Tribune opens its pages to voices of the movement for change. Our articles are written by individuals or organizations, along with our own reporting. Bylined articles reflect the views of the authors. Articles entitled “From the Editors” reflect the views of the editorial board. Please credit the source when sharing: peoplestribune.orgPlease donate to help us keep bringing you voices of the movement for change. Click here. We’re all volunteer, no paid staff. The People’s Tribune is a 501C4 organization.

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here

Featured

‘Jesus Is Being Tear Gassed At Broadview’

The struggle to close the Broadview ICE facility in Chicago includes clergy who are part of a movement of religious leaders opposed to the assault on immigrants.

No Kings Rallies Show the Fight Is On!

No Kings Day showed the rising awareness of people to how dangerous the situation is, that everyone’s rights, living standards, and democracy itself is in danger. Millions are mobilizing in diverse ways to confront the situation.

Fragile Ceasefire Victory and the Role of the Global Movement

In 2024, 125 nations of the International Criminal Court issued an arrest warrant for Benjamin Netanyahu, Israel's Prime Minister. This and countless other unprecedented acts of resistance took place against a “war” that revealed itself daily as outright genocide. The world’s people expressed their common humanity through actions and voices...sustaining this epic unity for the battles that lie ahead is critical for real peace..."

“No Kings” Protests Set to Sweep US Even as Trump Increases Attacks on Activists

Republicans are already smearing the protesters, but their intimidation tactics are out of touch with reality.

ICE Fears Put Pregnant Immigrants and Their Babies at Risk

Fear of deportation is deterring people without permanent legal status from critical care. Doctors are worried for the health of pregnant immigrants, and the health of their pregnancies. This story was originally reported by 19thnews.org.

More from the People's Tribune