Democrats definitely don’t like this.
Donald Trump has pledged to double down on his stance on immigration if he returns to the White House, leaving the possibility of reinstating the controversial family separation policy at the U.S.-Mexico border. However, key allies express reservations about implementing a new version of the 2018 “zero tolerance” policy, fearing a recurrence of the public backlash it initially provoked.
Five former Trump officials and conservative allies, in conversations with Reuters, express concerns about the potential fallout from a revived family separation policy. Tom Homan, a former Trump immigration official, suggests an alternative approach, proposing the housing of families together in residential centers during immigration hearings to avoid the chaos and criticism faced by the original policy.
As the leading candidate for the Republican Party’s 2024 presidential nomination, Trump emphasizes border security as a central theme in his campaign. He aims to restore his previous hardline immigration policies and introduce new measures to address both legal and illegal immigration.
Trump has defended family separations, claiming their effectiveness in deterring migrants during interviews and public appearances. Despite Trump’s strong stance, some former officials, such as Homan and Chad Wolf, express uncertainty and believe alternative measures should be considered to achieve immigration goals.
Civil rights activists are alarmed by Trump’s statements, indicating readiness to challenge any revived family separation policy in court. The issue of handling families crossing the southwest border illegally has posed challenges for both Republican and Democratic administrations.
Trump’s “zero tolerance” policy, implemented in 2018 to discourage illegal border crossings, faced widespread criticism, leading to its termination in June 2018. However, the dilemma of processing family asylum claims within the limited detention period persists.
With immigration being a significant concern for voters, especially in battleground states, Biden’s campaign leverages Trump’s unpopular family separation policy to highlight what they deem as extreme and inhumane measures. Trump’s potential reinstatement of family separations could face legal challenges, including obstacles created by a settlement agreement signed by the Biden administration.
Former officials like Mark Morgan suggest alternatives, such as the “remain in Mexico” policy, as more viable options to address immigration concerns. Despite varying opinions among former allies, Trump’s commitment to a tough immigration stance remains a focal point in the ongoing political discourse.