Democrats rush to clarify their position on immigration as broader support for deportations emerges
The party faces challenges as Trump focuses on criminal issues, but it is committed to safeguarding families, farm workers, and Dreamers.
TroibNews 
NEW YORK — The long-standing struggle of Democrats with messaging has resurfaced just as President Donald Trump intensifies his crackdown on illegal immigration — a cause that garners some support from within the party.
Currently, the party finds itself in a precarious position. Leaders are wary of alienating centrist members who align with Republicans on legislation facilitating the deportation of migrants charged with crimes. At the same time, they cannot ignore the shifting public opinion that increasingly aligns with Trump’s stance on targeting criminals. They are acutely aware that any missteps could jeopardize their chances of retaking the House in the midterms.
This situation presents a familiar conundrum in an unpredictable landscape.
“What is the party’s message on immigration? There presently is not one,” Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez said recently to reporters in Washington.
The president and his party, after all, secured a trifecta of power in Washington by promising to combat illegal immigration and revitalize the economy — as many GOP candidates criticized government spending on immigrants without legal status. In contrast, Democrats exhibited a more fragmented approach during the elections, with various factions prioritizing issues like trans rights and abortion access. As a result, the Democratic Party finds itself in a state of ongoing deliberation on how to address Trump 2.0, particularly regarding border security.
Nevertheless, the party has started to formulate a strategy. This plan hinges on the expectation that the president will broaden his signature deportation strategy to include immigrants who might be more relatable to Americans.
“Dreamers, farm workers and families,” Rep. Adriano Espaillat, chair of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, identified at a recent news conference, highlighting where Democrats plan to assert their position — provided they can unify their messaging.
The discussions among New York’s congressional delegation reflect a broader national dialogue among Democrats.
Last week, a coalition of 58 Democrats in the House and Senate collaborated with Republicans to pass the Laken Riley Act, marking a victory for Trump, who signed the bill on Wednesday. The legislation, named after a Georgia nursing student killed by an undocumented immigrant, mandates the detention of migrants charged with crimes ranging from petty theft to violent offenses.
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, known for promoting the inclusive nature of his caucus, opposed the Laken Riley Act but respects his members who chose to diverge from party leadership.
“House Democrats are going to continue to make decisions based on what’s right for the districts that we represent, and the politics will take care of themselves,” Jeffries stated to reporters.
Since Trump assumed a second term, federal immigration officers have arrested thousands across the country, including many with violent crime charges. In New York City, considered the largest sanctuary city in the country, Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem led an overnight operation involving federal agents on Tuesday. In Chicago, TV host Dr. Phil joined federal officers and White House border czar Tom Homan on Sunday in what ICE termed “enhanced targeted operations,” although it remained unclear whether those apprehended included individuals without criminal records.
Not all individuals detained nationwide possess violent criminal histories.
Numerous Democrats have sought to alert voters that the president’s intentions extend beyond deporting criminals. Many have emphasized the necessity of due process for those facing charges. They aim to frame Trump’s policies as precursors to actions that could disrupt mixed-status families and displace agricultural workers, potentially leading to increased grocery prices.
The minority party has fresh material as Trump targets birthright citizenship and endorses ICE arrests in sensitive locations such as churches and schools.
“I think that no one can dispute or argue that we shouldn’t have stronger borders,” Espaillat, who was formerly an undocumented immigrant from the Dominican Republic, remarked in an interview. However, he added, “I think that the American people are a lot more sensitive to a mom that’s separated from her child. I think that they understand that Dreamers don’t pose a threat to anybody. … And I think that they understand that farm workers bring food to their table.”
Jeffries has similarly started identifying the same three groups — families, DACA recipients, and agricultural workers — as the potential focal point for Democrats.
“House Democrats are prepared to work together with our Republican colleagues to find common ground, with respect to securing our border, with respect to fixing our broken immigration system in a bipartisan and comprehensive way and with respect to defending Dreamers, farm workers and keeping families together,” the top Democrat said during a news conference.
This approach appears promising. Rep. Tom Suozzi, one of the few Democrats who supported both the Laken Riley Act and Rep. Nancy Mace’s measure to make sexual and domestic violence deportable offenses, has highlighted DACA recipients as a crucial area for consensus.
The party’s immigration discussions have unfolded within Espaillat’s Congressional Hispanic Caucus, which has reached a consensus on protecting the three aforementioned groups but is still navigating its messaging and future direction as the House GOP prepares to introduce other strict immigration bills. More progressive members, like Ocasio-Cortez, advocate for a more assertive response to the GOP while providing political cover to lawmakers in competitive districts.
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer has noted that Trump may view Dreamers as a viable area for negotiation, emphasizing his intention to maintain pressure on the president.
“They were little, tiny children when they were brought over the border,” Schumer stated to NBC News.
Following mass deportation efforts in Chicago, Illinois Democrats Sens. Dick Durbin and Tammy Duckworth expressed support for removing dangerous individuals, but voiced concerns that these operations could inadvertently impact Dreamers, veterans, and “essential workers who care for our family members, build our homes, and ensure we have food on our tables.” Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker remarked to CNN that he finds it “quite disturbing” that enforcement targets law-abiding individuals.
Moderate Republicans, such as Rep. Mike Lawler of New York, share a similar viewpoint, underscoring that while they support initial actions against those involved in violent crimes, they do not advocate disrupting families of long-term residents.
“Somebody who’s been here 20 years, 15 years, whose children or grandchildren are citizens,” Lawler noted in an interview, “We’re not looking to break up families.”
Ocasio-Cortez contends that identifying areas for agreement with Republicans should be separate from delivering a coherent message about where Democrats unite.
“I think we need to be clear with the American people that if you want to make life more affordable, if you want your life to be easier, the thing that makes America different … has been our ability to welcome and integrate immigrants,” she remarked to reporters.
For the time being, there is piecemeal but fervent opposition to Trump’s proposals unveiled in his initial days in office, particularly concerning the potential end to birthright citizenship for babies born after February 19, accelerating deportations through expanded expedited removals, and revoking a Biden administration policy that restricted ICE arrests in sensitive locations like schools.
“Think about that, that nothing is off limits, that raids could happen in our public schools,” Rep. Nydia Velazquez expressed to reporters. “That is the point: cruelty, cruelty, you've got to be heartless to say publicly that we're going to send ICE to our schools, heartless.”
Trump’s push to dismantle birthright citizenship, a principle established in the Constitution’s 14th Amendment over 150 years ago, has seen many Democrats and immigrant advocacy groups rallying in opposition. Several lawsuits have been initiated arguing that his Day 1 order is unconstitutional.
“I think people need to just sit down and read the damn Constitution,” Rep. Sylvia Garcia commented to reporters.
As Democrats reflect on lessons learned from the election and scramble to define their path forward, immigrant advocates provide suggestions for where to begin.
Make the Road New York has specifically focused on individuals and families as it initiates lawsuits against the rollback of birthright citizenship and the expansion of expedited removal policies.
“I think it’s powerful to see the range of people impacted,” said supervising litigation attorney Paige Austin, referencing individuals who “have DACA, who’ve been here since they were kids, and they speak really powerfully about knowing what it's like to be a child in this country without status and not wanting that for their children.”
Cris Seda Chabrier contributed to this report.
Rohan Mehta for TROIB News
Currently, the party finds itself in a precarious position. Leaders are wary of alienating centrist members who align with Republicans on legislation facilitating the deportation of migrants charged with crimes. At the same time, they cannot ignore the shifting public opinion that increasingly aligns with Trump’s stance on targeting criminals. They are acutely aware that any missteps could jeopardize their chances of retaking the House in the midterms.
This situation presents a familiar conundrum in an unpredictable landscape.
“What is the party’s message on immigration? There presently is not one,” Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez said recently to reporters in Washington.
The president and his party, after all, secured a trifecta of power in Washington by promising to combat illegal immigration and revitalize the economy — as many GOP candidates criticized government spending on immigrants without legal status. In contrast, Democrats exhibited a more fragmented approach during the elections, with various factions prioritizing issues like trans rights and abortion access. As a result, the Democratic Party finds itself in a state of ongoing deliberation on how to address Trump 2.0, particularly regarding border security.
Nevertheless, the party has started to formulate a strategy. This plan hinges on the expectation that the president will broaden his signature deportation strategy to include immigrants who might be more relatable to Americans.
“Dreamers, farm workers and families,” Rep. Adriano Espaillat, chair of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, identified at a recent news conference, highlighting where Democrats plan to assert their position — provided they can unify their messaging.
The discussions among New York’s congressional delegation reflect a broader national dialogue among Democrats.
Last week, a coalition of 58 Democrats in the House and Senate collaborated with Republicans to pass the Laken Riley Act, marking a victory for Trump, who signed the bill on Wednesday. The legislation, named after a Georgia nursing student killed by an undocumented immigrant, mandates the detention of migrants charged with crimes ranging from petty theft to violent offenses.
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, known for promoting the inclusive nature of his caucus, opposed the Laken Riley Act but respects his members who chose to diverge from party leadership.
“House Democrats are going to continue to make decisions based on what’s right for the districts that we represent, and the politics will take care of themselves,” Jeffries stated to reporters.
Since Trump assumed a second term, federal immigration officers have arrested thousands across the country, including many with violent crime charges. In New York City, considered the largest sanctuary city in the country, Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem led an overnight operation involving federal agents on Tuesday. In Chicago, TV host Dr. Phil joined federal officers and White House border czar Tom Homan on Sunday in what ICE termed “enhanced targeted operations,” although it remained unclear whether those apprehended included individuals without criminal records.
Not all individuals detained nationwide possess violent criminal histories.
Numerous Democrats have sought to alert voters that the president’s intentions extend beyond deporting criminals. Many have emphasized the necessity of due process for those facing charges. They aim to frame Trump’s policies as precursors to actions that could disrupt mixed-status families and displace agricultural workers, potentially leading to increased grocery prices.
The minority party has fresh material as Trump targets birthright citizenship and endorses ICE arrests in sensitive locations such as churches and schools.
“I think that no one can dispute or argue that we shouldn’t have stronger borders,” Espaillat, who was formerly an undocumented immigrant from the Dominican Republic, remarked in an interview. However, he added, “I think that the American people are a lot more sensitive to a mom that’s separated from her child. I think that they understand that Dreamers don’t pose a threat to anybody. … And I think that they understand that farm workers bring food to their table.”
Jeffries has similarly started identifying the same three groups — families, DACA recipients, and agricultural workers — as the potential focal point for Democrats.
“House Democrats are prepared to work together with our Republican colleagues to find common ground, with respect to securing our border, with respect to fixing our broken immigration system in a bipartisan and comprehensive way and with respect to defending Dreamers, farm workers and keeping families together,” the top Democrat said during a news conference.
This approach appears promising. Rep. Tom Suozzi, one of the few Democrats who supported both the Laken Riley Act and Rep. Nancy Mace’s measure to make sexual and domestic violence deportable offenses, has highlighted DACA recipients as a crucial area for consensus.
The party’s immigration discussions have unfolded within Espaillat’s Congressional Hispanic Caucus, which has reached a consensus on protecting the three aforementioned groups but is still navigating its messaging and future direction as the House GOP prepares to introduce other strict immigration bills. More progressive members, like Ocasio-Cortez, advocate for a more assertive response to the GOP while providing political cover to lawmakers in competitive districts.
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer has noted that Trump may view Dreamers as a viable area for negotiation, emphasizing his intention to maintain pressure on the president.
“They were little, tiny children when they were brought over the border,” Schumer stated to NBC News.
Following mass deportation efforts in Chicago, Illinois Democrats Sens. Dick Durbin and Tammy Duckworth expressed support for removing dangerous individuals, but voiced concerns that these operations could inadvertently impact Dreamers, veterans, and “essential workers who care for our family members, build our homes, and ensure we have food on our tables.” Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker remarked to CNN that he finds it “quite disturbing” that enforcement targets law-abiding individuals.
Moderate Republicans, such as Rep. Mike Lawler of New York, share a similar viewpoint, underscoring that while they support initial actions against those involved in violent crimes, they do not advocate disrupting families of long-term residents.
“Somebody who’s been here 20 years, 15 years, whose children or grandchildren are citizens,” Lawler noted in an interview, “We’re not looking to break up families.”
Ocasio-Cortez contends that identifying areas for agreement with Republicans should be separate from delivering a coherent message about where Democrats unite.
“I think we need to be clear with the American people that if you want to make life more affordable, if you want your life to be easier, the thing that makes America different … has been our ability to welcome and integrate immigrants,” she remarked to reporters.
For the time being, there is piecemeal but fervent opposition to Trump’s proposals unveiled in his initial days in office, particularly concerning the potential end to birthright citizenship for babies born after February 19, accelerating deportations through expanded expedited removals, and revoking a Biden administration policy that restricted ICE arrests in sensitive locations like schools.
“Think about that, that nothing is off limits, that raids could happen in our public schools,” Rep. Nydia Velazquez expressed to reporters. “That is the point: cruelty, cruelty, you've got to be heartless to say publicly that we're going to send ICE to our schools, heartless.”
Trump’s push to dismantle birthright citizenship, a principle established in the Constitution’s 14th Amendment over 150 years ago, has seen many Democrats and immigrant advocacy groups rallying in opposition. Several lawsuits have been initiated arguing that his Day 1 order is unconstitutional.
“I think people need to just sit down and read the damn Constitution,” Rep. Sylvia Garcia commented to reporters.
As Democrats reflect on lessons learned from the election and scramble to define their path forward, immigrant advocates provide suggestions for where to begin.
Make the Road New York has specifically focused on individuals and families as it initiates lawsuits against the rollback of birthright citizenship and the expansion of expedited removal policies.
“I think it’s powerful to see the range of people impacted,” said supervising litigation attorney Paige Austin, referencing individuals who “have DACA, who’ve been here since they were kids, and they speak really powerfully about knowing what it's like to be a child in this country without status and not wanting that for their children.”
Cris Seda Chabrier contributed to this report.
Rohan Mehta for TROIB News
