How Biden Lost Americans’ Faith in Immigration

Overview

This episode examines how President Biden's immigration policies led to a loss of public trust, contributed to a rightward shift in American views on immigration, and ultimately paved the way for the return of Donald Trump to the presidency. Through an investigation by Christopher Flavelle, the episode explores Biden's missteps, internal conflicts within his administration, and the political consequences of his decisions.

Notable Quotes

- There was no overarching vision of what the U.S. should do on the border. - Christopher Flavelle, on the lack of strategic leadership in Biden's immigration policy.

- If we just don't talk about it, maybe it'll resolve on its own. - Christopher Flavelle, describing the Biden administration's initial approach to the border crisis.

- Maybe the real legacy of Joe Biden on immigration is that people's willingness to give immigrants the benefit of the doubt is, at least for now, gone. - Christopher Flavelle, on the lasting impact of Biden's immigration mismanagement.

🛑 The Border Crisis Under Biden

- Biden reversed nearly all of Trump's immigration policies on his first day in office, including halting the border wall and reducing deportations.

- These actions led to an unprecedented surge in border crossings, far exceeding the worst months under Trump.

- Christopher Flavelle revealed that Biden's advisors had warned of this potential chaos during the campaign, but their concerns were ignored.

- The administration underestimated the scale of migration and failed to prepare adequately, leading to overwhelmed border facilities and public perception of chaos.

🤷‍♂️ Leadership Paralysis and Internal Conflicts

- Biden's administration lacked a clear leader on immigration policy, resulting in factional disagreements between advocates for migrants and national security-focused officials.

- Biden himself avoided discussing immigration, with insiders noting his discomfort and lack of strong personal views on the issue.

- This avoidance strategy backfired as public concern over border chaos grew, and polling showed declining support for migrants.

🚍 Governor Abbott's Migrant Busing Campaign

- Texas Governor Greg Abbott escalated the crisis by busing migrants to Democratic-led cities, forcing the issue into national focus.

- Democratic mayors and governors struggled with the financial and political fallout, further eroding public trust in Biden's handling of immigration.

- Internally, the Biden administration recognized this as a turning point, admitting they had lost the public debate on immigration.

📉 Failed Attempts to Regain Control

- Biden introduced programs to streamline migration, including an app for border appointments and formal pathways for migrants from specific countries.

- Despite these efforts, border crossings continued to rise, reaching unprecedented levels by late 2023.

- In 2024, Biden resorted to executive action to close the border to asylum applications, which successfully reduced crossings but came too late to shift public opinion.

🔄 The Political Legacy of Biden's Immigration Policies

- Biden's mismanagement contributed to a rightward shift in public views on immigration, with lingering anger among voters across party lines.

- Democrats remain divided on how to approach immigration, struggling to balance enforcement with their principles of welcoming migrants.

- The episode concludes with uncertainty about whether Democrats can regain public trust or find a viable middle ground on immigration policy.