How Will Democrats Respond to Bernie Sanders & Donald Trump's "Open Borders" Attacks? [View all]

[TomCADem]

Bernie Sanders has continued his attacks on "open border" policies arguing that such policies attract poor immigrant into the U.S. Likewise, Trump has often criticized Democrats for their immigration stances, claiming they're "the party of open borders."

https://www.newsweek.com/bernie-sanders-open-borders-poverty-world-immigration-1388767

Trump has inaccurately accused opponents from both parties, but especially Democrats, of supporting open borders, claiming they would allow "criminals" and "terrorists" to enter the U.S. undeterred. Democratic leaders have pushed back, pointing out that they support secure borders, and as Sanders said, wanted comprehensive immigration reform. But they have staunchly opposed the president's plan to construct a wall along the U.S.-Mexico border, as they believe such a measure would prove ineffective and costly.

Some immigration advocates and progressives have pushed for open borders, however, and many were quick to criticize Sanders's response on social media. Many said he sounded like Trump on immigration, while others argued that the U.S., as a wealthy nation, should show more concern about the plight of migrants.

Sanders, however, has long criticized open borders. In 2015, he referred to them as a "right wing proposal" pushed forward by the wealthy Koch brothers. "You're doing away with the concept of a nation state, and I don't think there's any country in the world which believes in that," he said in an interview with Ezra Klein of Vox.

While no Democratic candidate has supported "open borders," many progressives have called for decriminalizing crossing the border without papers. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Elizabeth Warren and Julian Castro have all called to decriminalize crossing the border without papers:

https://www.realclearpolitics.com/video/2019/07/12/alexandria_ocasio-cortez_on_border_this_is_a_manufactured_crisis_because_the_cruelty_is_manufactured.html

Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez on Border: "This Is A Manufactured Crisis Because The Cruelty Is Manufactured"

Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) testified as a witness at a House Oversight and Reform Committee hearing on migrant children and border security. The Congresswoman insisted on being sworn in even though it was not necessary, as Chairman Rep. Elijah Cummings (D-MD) noted.

Ocasio-Cortez likened the Trump administration's policy of "remain in Mexico" to human trafficking because it puts migrants in the "crosshairs" of human traffickers. AOC also said there is no reason to arrest "innocent" illegal immigrants and treat them differently than common criminals. The Congresswoman broke down while lamenting how families are being held in facilities where American flags hang.

Elizabeth Warren has articulated a policy that represents a sharp break from Trump's current policies that are predicated on scapegoating and inspiring hate of immigrants.

https://www.vox.com/2019/7/12/20690200/elizabeth-warren-immigration-proposal-2020

Presidential candidate Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) calls for decriminalizing crossing the border without papers, reducing immigration detention, and increasing funding for aid to Central America in her campaign’s newly unveiled comprehensive immigration platform.

At a League of United Latin American Citizens event in Milwaukee, where 2020 hopefuls Julián Castro and Sen. Bernie Sanders were also in attendance, Warren released a proposal that unsurprisingly serves as a clear rebuke of President Trump’s immigration agenda.

Five 2020 Democratic candidates — Warren, Castro, Beto O’Rourke, Washington Gov. Jay Inslee, and Sen. Cory Booker — have now put out immigration proposals. All of them call for reversals of Trump’s most controversial immigration policies, and Warren’s is no exception: As the administration teases plans for mass immigration raids in the coming days, her plan proposes protecting schools, medical facilities, and courthouses from immigration enforcement and ending programs that allow local law enforcement to be deputized as federal immigration officers.

Amid reports of unsafe and unsanitary conditions in immigration detention centers along the southern border, Warren’s plan seeks to pare back detention overall and eliminate private detention facilities.