The left gives Harris flexibility to adopt a firm stance on the border
This week's discussions in Chicago, despite the prevailing narrative of having it all, reveal a clear shift to the right regarding immigration policy.
TroibNews 
**CHICAGO —** Democrats are engaging in a complex maneuver regarding immigration, balancing a commitment to immigrant rights with a newfound inclination toward stricter border policies.
This intricate dance was evident during the Democratic National Convention on Wednesday night, where speakers alternated between celebrating America as a nation of immigrants deserving a path to citizenship and criticizing former President Donald Trump for derailing a bipartisan border security bill.
Despite this seemingly dual approach, there has been a noticeable shift to the right. Democrats are no longer insisting that new border security measures be accompanied by pathways to citizenship or relief for undocumented immigrants. Vice President Kamala Harris is running ads emphasizing border toughness, shifting the focus away from the legalization policies that have traditionally guided their immigration stance.
Interestingly, the party’s progressive wing is not pushing back significantly against this shift. The lack of substantial dissent from progressives has been notable, as activists tacitly accept the changes and fall in line behind the vice president. Their reasoning is partly shaped by the stark contrast in the upcoming presidential match-up: Harris, a daughter of immigrants hailing from a diverse border state, versus Trump, who plans to expand the harsh policies of his previous administration.
“It’s the fear of Trump,” said longtime pro-immigrant advocate Erika Andiola, succinctly capturing the main reason behind progressives' muted objections in the interest of party unity.
Beyond the immediate political landscape, there appears to be a more profound shift as Democrats and activists confront the political assumptions and established legislative strategies that have shaped their immigration policy for decades.
“We recognize that until we take immigration off the table — off from being used as a political piñata by Republicans — we will not be able to pass comprehensive immigration reform,” remarked Domingo Garcia, chair of the League of United Latin American Citizens PAC, which endorsed Harris this month, marking a historic first in its 95-year history.
Within the convention, immigration activists subtly showcased their desire for a pathway to citizenship through lapel pins, opting to avoid any overt clashes over a policy position that leans more towards border security compared to four years ago. The programming included a young influencer sharing his immigration story and a sheriff from a Texas border county asserting that Harris, rather than Trump, would be tougher on crime at the border.
“We do not have to choose between a secure border and building an America for all. Under President Harris, we can and will do both,” stated Rep. Pete Aguilar of California, encapsulating the Democrats’ strategy.
The Harris campaign believes that their approach reflects public sentiment: voters are concerned about chaos at the border but also favor policies supporting long-term, undocumented immigrants in the U.S. However, balancing these positions is challenging, especially since polling indicates that immigration remains a significant vulnerability for Harris and her party.
The days of Democrats competing to appeal to the left through promises of decriminalizing border crossings are long gone. The uptick in border crossings during the first three years of the Biden-Harris administration has provided Republicans with a powerful political tool, despite current numbers being similar to those when Trump left office.
The first recognition of this challenge came when President Joe Biden endorsed a bipartisan border security package devoid of the typical Democratic demands for relief for undocumented children brought to the U.S. illegally. When Trump urged Republicans to kill the deal, preferring to leverage border issues for campaign purposes, Biden countered with an executive order tightening asylum regulations at the southern border.
“It was beyond disappointing and upsetting, because it was the first time that I could recall in my lifetime that it was an enforcement-only approach, not a balanced approach,” expressed Sen. Alex Padilla, a California Democrat advocating for immigration reform. “I feared that we'd end up negotiating against ourselves, and that risked becoming the new position of the Democratic Party.”
Nonetheless, Padilla noted that his concerns have eased — partly due to the Republicans’ failure to honor the border deal, and his belief that Harris is an ally in the fight for immigration reform.
“We’re in a different place now,” he stated.
Padilla and other immigration supporters felt reassured by a second Biden executive order that protects undocumented immigrants married to U.S. citizens from deportation, impacting an estimated 500,000 individuals. This order includes work authorization and a path to legal permanent residency.
“That was the more balanced approach that we had been calling for,” said Padilla, highlighting that Harris’ campaign includes references to comprehensive immigration reform.
This executive order represented a significant victory for the pro-immigrant movement. The American Business Immigrant Coalition celebrated it at a reception near the convention hall. However, when Biden delivered his keynote address on the day the policy took effect, he did not mention it, which some advocates interpreted as a sign that immigration support is fading into the background, even as border security discussions gain prominence. Rep. Pete Aguilar later acknowledged the policy from the convention stage.
To Andiola, the progressive immigrant advocate, Biden’s omission was “such a missed opportunity. They could have had a speaker who had a spouse who was undocumented speaking about how much better their life is going to be because of this program.”
For now, many pro-immigrant allies are choosing to overlook these disappointments, largely due to their enthusiasm for Harris, whose personal narrative is deeply connected to the immigrant experience.
Her California roots are a significant asset; no Democratic politician from the state can rise within the party ranks without gaining fluency in the goals of the immigration movement. Harris has longstanding ties to immigrant activists; her first visit following her senate election in 2016 was with the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights of Los Angeles.
“The thing I hold a lot of hope for is this is not something I have to explain to Kamala Harris,” remarked Angelica Salas, the executive director of the group.
In the wake of Biden’s exit from the presidential race, Harris prioritized reaching out to leaders from advocacy groups like UnidosUS, emphasizing her commitment to Latino interests.
“She took the time, with all the phone calls she was making, to call the organization,” noted Carmen Feliciano, vice president of policy and advocacy for UnidosUS. “So it definitely shows that Latinos are top of mind for her and for her future administration.”
By fostering these relationships, Harris has gained considerable leeway from advocacy groups that typically expect detailed policy proposals from Democratic candidates. Feliciano acknowledged the absence of a defined immigration plan but expressed optimism based on Harris' past positions.
“We know, based on where she’s been in the past, that her policies are probably going to be aligned with UnidosUS’ policies,” Feliciano said.
So far, Harris’ history regarding immigration has provided material for a barrage of Republican attack ads. The GOP has quickly sought to make her synonymous with the border issues that characterized much of Biden’s tenure, labeling her the “border czar,” a misleading designation reflecting an exaggerated role regarding border policy (Biden had assigned Harris to work on addressing the root causes of migration in Central America).
At the start of her campaign, immigration emerged as one of Harris’ significant vulnerabilities, prompting her team to adopt a more aggressive strategy. They highlighted her experience as California's attorney general, where she prosecuted transnational gangs, drug cartels, and human traffickers. The campaign also aimed to put Trump on the defensive, emphasizing his role in derailing the bipartisan border security bill and spotlighting unpopular policies from his presidency, such as family separation. This tactic mirrors Biden’s approach, as Harris praises the president’s asylum policies leading to a significant drop in border crossings, reminiscent of Rep. Tom Suozzi's successful campaign that positioned him as a security-focused candidate.
“My consultants and other people in my party were saying, ‘Hey, what are you doing talking about that?’ That's a Republican issue,” Suozzi reflected. “No, it’s not. This is what people are talking about. And good politicians are the ones that say what people are thinking already.”
Suozzi, who has become a prominent messenger for Democrats regarding immigration and secured a speaking slot at the convention, stated that prioritizing border security is essential for advancing other reforms, such as pathways to citizenship.
“Immigration activists — and myself — we still want to do all those things. But the reality is that the people are not necessarily clamoring for that,” he said. “It’s the right policy. … It’s the right thing to do. But right now, what the people [are saying] is, ‘Hey, I'm looking at this stuff on TV, and I don't like the way that looks.’ So we've got to respond to the people.”
Democrats are feeling more emboldened to adopt a rightward stance on immigration, in part due to growing evidence that a softer approach may not necessarily attract Latino voters, a crucial demographic for the party. Polling consistently shows that Latinos prioritize economic issues over immigration and that many support stronger border security measures.
“There's tons of data saying Latinos aren't where the Democratic advocates are on this,” explained Mike Madrid, a veteran GOP consultant focused on Latino voting trends. “They are where Joe Biden started to pivot and where Kamala Harris has doubled down. That's where they're at. That's why [Democrats] made the shift.”
Some advocacy groups are also adapting. UnidosUS recently launched a border policy proposal, marking its first foray into the enforcement debate. Recognizing that Latinos have grown increasingly concerned about the disorder at the southern border, the organization aims to steer discussions on enforcement towards policies that are “firm, fair, and free of cruelty.”
While pro-immigrant groups are allowing Harris to pursue her stringent campaign, they expect her to prioritize their interests if she wins, especially if Democrats regain control of Congress.
“They should pass an immigration reform bill within the first 100 days, a voting rights act within the first 100 days, and take those issues off the table for any future elections,” insisted Garcia of LULAC.
If Congress remains divided and sweeping reforms aren’t feasible, Salas from CHIRLA anticipates that Harris will “take every single power she has as an executive to provide freedom for our folks and protections to our undocumented community right now.”
One thing advocates stress is that they will not tolerate Democrats pushing through an enforcement bill and then allowing the matter to fade from focus.
Padilla asserts that the party's history alleviates any anxiety surrounding this issue.
“We've been talking about border security … for the last six [or] nine months,” Padilla noted. “We've been talking about pathways to citizenship for decades.”
**Myah Ward contributed to this report.**
Rohan Mehta contributed to this report for TROIB News
This intricate dance was evident during the Democratic National Convention on Wednesday night, where speakers alternated between celebrating America as a nation of immigrants deserving a path to citizenship and criticizing former President Donald Trump for derailing a bipartisan border security bill.
Despite this seemingly dual approach, there has been a noticeable shift to the right. Democrats are no longer insisting that new border security measures be accompanied by pathways to citizenship or relief for undocumented immigrants. Vice President Kamala Harris is running ads emphasizing border toughness, shifting the focus away from the legalization policies that have traditionally guided their immigration stance.
Interestingly, the party’s progressive wing is not pushing back significantly against this shift. The lack of substantial dissent from progressives has been notable, as activists tacitly accept the changes and fall in line behind the vice president. Their reasoning is partly shaped by the stark contrast in the upcoming presidential match-up: Harris, a daughter of immigrants hailing from a diverse border state, versus Trump, who plans to expand the harsh policies of his previous administration.
“It’s the fear of Trump,” said longtime pro-immigrant advocate Erika Andiola, succinctly capturing the main reason behind progressives' muted objections in the interest of party unity.
Beyond the immediate political landscape, there appears to be a more profound shift as Democrats and activists confront the political assumptions and established legislative strategies that have shaped their immigration policy for decades.
“We recognize that until we take immigration off the table — off from being used as a political piñata by Republicans — we will not be able to pass comprehensive immigration reform,” remarked Domingo Garcia, chair of the League of United Latin American Citizens PAC, which endorsed Harris this month, marking a historic first in its 95-year history.
Within the convention, immigration activists subtly showcased their desire for a pathway to citizenship through lapel pins, opting to avoid any overt clashes over a policy position that leans more towards border security compared to four years ago. The programming included a young influencer sharing his immigration story and a sheriff from a Texas border county asserting that Harris, rather than Trump, would be tougher on crime at the border.
“We do not have to choose between a secure border and building an America for all. Under President Harris, we can and will do both,” stated Rep. Pete Aguilar of California, encapsulating the Democrats’ strategy.
The Harris campaign believes that their approach reflects public sentiment: voters are concerned about chaos at the border but also favor policies supporting long-term, undocumented immigrants in the U.S. However, balancing these positions is challenging, especially since polling indicates that immigration remains a significant vulnerability for Harris and her party.
The days of Democrats competing to appeal to the left through promises of decriminalizing border crossings are long gone. The uptick in border crossings during the first three years of the Biden-Harris administration has provided Republicans with a powerful political tool, despite current numbers being similar to those when Trump left office.
The first recognition of this challenge came when President Joe Biden endorsed a bipartisan border security package devoid of the typical Democratic demands for relief for undocumented children brought to the U.S. illegally. When Trump urged Republicans to kill the deal, preferring to leverage border issues for campaign purposes, Biden countered with an executive order tightening asylum regulations at the southern border.
“It was beyond disappointing and upsetting, because it was the first time that I could recall in my lifetime that it was an enforcement-only approach, not a balanced approach,” expressed Sen. Alex Padilla, a California Democrat advocating for immigration reform. “I feared that we'd end up negotiating against ourselves, and that risked becoming the new position of the Democratic Party.”
Nonetheless, Padilla noted that his concerns have eased — partly due to the Republicans’ failure to honor the border deal, and his belief that Harris is an ally in the fight for immigration reform.
“We’re in a different place now,” he stated.
Padilla and other immigration supporters felt reassured by a second Biden executive order that protects undocumented immigrants married to U.S. citizens from deportation, impacting an estimated 500,000 individuals. This order includes work authorization and a path to legal permanent residency.
“That was the more balanced approach that we had been calling for,” said Padilla, highlighting that Harris’ campaign includes references to comprehensive immigration reform.
This executive order represented a significant victory for the pro-immigrant movement. The American Business Immigrant Coalition celebrated it at a reception near the convention hall. However, when Biden delivered his keynote address on the day the policy took effect, he did not mention it, which some advocates interpreted as a sign that immigration support is fading into the background, even as border security discussions gain prominence. Rep. Pete Aguilar later acknowledged the policy from the convention stage.
To Andiola, the progressive immigrant advocate, Biden’s omission was “such a missed opportunity. They could have had a speaker who had a spouse who was undocumented speaking about how much better their life is going to be because of this program.”
For now, many pro-immigrant allies are choosing to overlook these disappointments, largely due to their enthusiasm for Harris, whose personal narrative is deeply connected to the immigrant experience.
Her California roots are a significant asset; no Democratic politician from the state can rise within the party ranks without gaining fluency in the goals of the immigration movement. Harris has longstanding ties to immigrant activists; her first visit following her senate election in 2016 was with the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights of Los Angeles.
“The thing I hold a lot of hope for is this is not something I have to explain to Kamala Harris,” remarked Angelica Salas, the executive director of the group.
In the wake of Biden’s exit from the presidential race, Harris prioritized reaching out to leaders from advocacy groups like UnidosUS, emphasizing her commitment to Latino interests.
“She took the time, with all the phone calls she was making, to call the organization,” noted Carmen Feliciano, vice president of policy and advocacy for UnidosUS. “So it definitely shows that Latinos are top of mind for her and for her future administration.”
By fostering these relationships, Harris has gained considerable leeway from advocacy groups that typically expect detailed policy proposals from Democratic candidates. Feliciano acknowledged the absence of a defined immigration plan but expressed optimism based on Harris' past positions.
“We know, based on where she’s been in the past, that her policies are probably going to be aligned with UnidosUS’ policies,” Feliciano said.
So far, Harris’ history regarding immigration has provided material for a barrage of Republican attack ads. The GOP has quickly sought to make her synonymous with the border issues that characterized much of Biden’s tenure, labeling her the “border czar,” a misleading designation reflecting an exaggerated role regarding border policy (Biden had assigned Harris to work on addressing the root causes of migration in Central America).
At the start of her campaign, immigration emerged as one of Harris’ significant vulnerabilities, prompting her team to adopt a more aggressive strategy. They highlighted her experience as California's attorney general, where she prosecuted transnational gangs, drug cartels, and human traffickers. The campaign also aimed to put Trump on the defensive, emphasizing his role in derailing the bipartisan border security bill and spotlighting unpopular policies from his presidency, such as family separation. This tactic mirrors Biden’s approach, as Harris praises the president’s asylum policies leading to a significant drop in border crossings, reminiscent of Rep. Tom Suozzi's successful campaign that positioned him as a security-focused candidate.
“My consultants and other people in my party were saying, ‘Hey, what are you doing talking about that?’ That's a Republican issue,” Suozzi reflected. “No, it’s not. This is what people are talking about. And good politicians are the ones that say what people are thinking already.”
Suozzi, who has become a prominent messenger for Democrats regarding immigration and secured a speaking slot at the convention, stated that prioritizing border security is essential for advancing other reforms, such as pathways to citizenship.
“Immigration activists — and myself — we still want to do all those things. But the reality is that the people are not necessarily clamoring for that,” he said. “It’s the right policy. … It’s the right thing to do. But right now, what the people [are saying] is, ‘Hey, I'm looking at this stuff on TV, and I don't like the way that looks.’ So we've got to respond to the people.”
Democrats are feeling more emboldened to adopt a rightward stance on immigration, in part due to growing evidence that a softer approach may not necessarily attract Latino voters, a crucial demographic for the party. Polling consistently shows that Latinos prioritize economic issues over immigration and that many support stronger border security measures.
“There's tons of data saying Latinos aren't where the Democratic advocates are on this,” explained Mike Madrid, a veteran GOP consultant focused on Latino voting trends. “They are where Joe Biden started to pivot and where Kamala Harris has doubled down. That's where they're at. That's why [Democrats] made the shift.”
Some advocacy groups are also adapting. UnidosUS recently launched a border policy proposal, marking its first foray into the enforcement debate. Recognizing that Latinos have grown increasingly concerned about the disorder at the southern border, the organization aims to steer discussions on enforcement towards policies that are “firm, fair, and free of cruelty.”
While pro-immigrant groups are allowing Harris to pursue her stringent campaign, they expect her to prioritize their interests if she wins, especially if Democrats regain control of Congress.
“They should pass an immigration reform bill within the first 100 days, a voting rights act within the first 100 days, and take those issues off the table for any future elections,” insisted Garcia of LULAC.
If Congress remains divided and sweeping reforms aren’t feasible, Salas from CHIRLA anticipates that Harris will “take every single power she has as an executive to provide freedom for our folks and protections to our undocumented community right now.”
One thing advocates stress is that they will not tolerate Democrats pushing through an enforcement bill and then allowing the matter to fade from focus.
Padilla asserts that the party's history alleviates any anxiety surrounding this issue.
“We've been talking about border security … for the last six [or] nine months,” Padilla noted. “We've been talking about pathways to citizenship for decades.”
**Myah Ward contributed to this report.**
Rohan Mehta contributed to this report for TROIB News
