In a 1980 debate, Republicans George H.W. Bush and Ronald Reagan expressed openness to southern border immigration. Bush praised Mexican migrants as “good people, strong people,” deserving equal rights, while Reagan suggested offering work permits and open borders for free movement.
By contrast, in 2006, President George W. Bush urged respectful immigration debates, while Democratic President Bill Clinton had previously enforced strict immigration policies. Today, Republicans are seen as strict enforcers, while Democrats are viewed as more compassionate.
Despite changing rhetoric, data consistently shows immigrants commit fewer crimes than native-born Americans. Studies from 2016, 2018, and 2019 reveal lower crime rates among immigrants, and a 2022 Cato Institute analysis found most drug traffickers are U.S. citizens, with seizures occurring at legal crossings.
The political divide widened in the 2000s, halting immigration reform. President George W. Bush advised Republicans to adopt a compassionate stance, foreseeing demographic changes. Both parties agree on the need for immigration reform, but must navigate the polarized rhetoric to find common ground.
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