As a South Asian, I understand the frustration many of us feel when it comes to immigration. My family, like so many others, worked hard to come here legally. We navigated a complex system, waited years, and sacrificed a lot to make this country our home. It can be upsetting to see others enter through what seems like shortcuts, especially when we believe the country is already full. However, the Democratic Party’s approach to immigration is not only humane but also beneficial for desis like us.
First, the Democratic Party’s approach emphasizes creating a fair, organized system. This means reducing the backlogs for legal immigration and streamlining processes for skilled workers. Many of us South Asians are in tech and business sectors, and we would directly benefit from reforms that ease visa limitations and ensure smoother family reunifications. These policies not only allow us to bring loved ones here but also boost the economy through increased skilled labor. When immigration is more organized, we all benefit from a stronger economy and greater opportunities.
Moreover, a welcoming environment for immigrants ensures that we, as desis, aren’t subjected to the same xenophobia or racial profiling that immigrants face in other countries. We’ve seen toxic anti-immigrant rhetoric from former President Trump and his running mate JD Vance. When Trump spreads lies that (legal) Haitian immigrants in Springfield, Ohio are eating pet cats and dogs, when he encourages supporters at his rallies to carry placards saying “Mass Deportation,” when he associates with and endorses people who believe that America should be a White, Christian nation, that kind of hatred can spill over to all communities of color.
Whether Trump really means the hateful stuff he says about immigrants, or is simply using immigration for political purposes is uncertain, but there is no denying that he forced allies in Congress to vote No on a bipartisan border bill that would have strengthened safety at the border, simply because he wanted to campaign on a lack of action! It reminds me of the story of the man who killed his parents and then pleaded for leniency from the judge, because he was now an orphan!
Either way, Trump’s and JD Vance’s rhetoric on immigration have made America less safe for all of us. The alternative approach of the Democrats, which focuses on tightening the border, but also being smart and humane towards people like us who want to come to participate in American progress, is the right one. Democrats also think long term and work to strengthen our relationships and aid to countries where poverty and instability force people to flee.
By supporting humane immigration policies, we contribute to creating a country where our children grow up in a society that values diversity and inclusion. In the long run, supporting Democratic immigration policies is a way to protect our future here. A system that embraces immigrants strengthens the economy, drives innovation, and reinforces America’s role on the global stage. Desis have so much to gain from policies that make immigration fair, safe, and welcoming. It’s an investment in our shared future.
Kamala Harris understands this. Speaking at a gathering at the Arizona border, she said, “The United States is a sovereign nation and I believe we have a duty to set rules at our border and to enforce them. And I take that responsibility very seriously. We are also a nation of immigrants. The United States has been enriched by generations of people who have come from every corner of the world to contribute to our country and to become part of the American story. And so we must reform our immigration system to ensure that it works in an orderly way, that it is humane and that it makes our country stronger.”
Talking about the bipartisan border bill that almost became law, she added, “I strongly supported the comprehensive border security bill written last year…That bill would’ve hired 1500 more border agents and officers. It would’ve paid for 100 inspection machines to detect fentanyl that is killing tens of thousands of Americans every year. It would have allowed us to more quickly and effectively remove those who come here illegally and it would have increased the number of immigration judges and asylum officers. It was the strongest border security bill we have seen in decades. It was endorsed by the Border Patrol Union and it should be in effect today producing results in real time right now for our country.”
“But Donald Trump tanked it. He picked up the phone and called some friends in Congress and said, “Stop the bill.” Because you see, he prefers to run on a problem instead of fixing a problem.”
Today, Democrats are the party that take the problem of illegal immigration seriously and want to do something about it while understanding and appreciating the contribution of immigrants like South Asians to the American economy.
Read more about Kamala Harris’ immigration plans here: https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2024/10/01/democrats-harris-border/
By Vidya Pradhan
