During the interview, host Jake Tapper asked if stronger border enforcement by the Biden administration in 2021 and 2022 could have prevented Trump from gaining political traction on the issue. Tapper questioned whether Democrats’ handling of the border crisis opened the door for figures like Tom Homan and Trump to dominate the narrative.
DeGette responded, "Democrats have always taken this very seriously. We believe in having a strong border and enforcing laws to ensure criminals are deported." She contended that Trump's rhetoric prioritizes fear over facts and pointed out that border crossings had decreased under Biden. However, she emphasized the need for Congress to adopt a comprehensive immigration reform plan, noting that political gridlock has hindered progress for years.
She outlined key priorities, including strong border enforcement, deportation of criminals, and establishing legal pathways for essential workers, from high-tech industries to agriculture and construction. DeGette highlighted the importance of creating a "regular process" for the millions of undocumented immigrants contributing to the economy. "It’s not helpful when we have 12 million people here, most of whom are law-abiding workers," she added, calling for bipartisan collaboration. However, she lamented that Trump's strategy is rooted in stoking fear rather than seeking solutions, describing it as "a shame."
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