
Top Democrats once championed deportations and tough immigration policies, but their shift to sanctuary cities leaves Americans asking: how did we get here?
At a Glance
- Democratic leaders once supported strict immigration policies, including mass deportations.
- Bill Clinton, Hillary Clinton, and Barack Obama publicly advocated for deporting illegal immigrants.
- The Democrats’ stance significantly changed, supporting sanctuary cities and opposing Trump’s deportation plans.
- Trump’s policies echo past Democratic leaders, emphasizing economic impacts and law enforcement.
- Democratic prosecutors are preparing legal challenges to counter Trump’s immigration policies.
Democratic Stance: Then and Now
Democratic leaders, including Bill Clinton, Hillary Clinton, and Barack Obama, have a historic record of supporting strict immigration policies. Bill Clinton’s 1995 State of the Union Address underscored efforts to secure borders and deport criminal aliens. This statement reflected the Democratic party’s broader views during that period: “All Americans, not only in the states most heavily affected but in every place in this country, are rightly disturbed by the large numbers of illegal aliens entering our country.”
Hillary Clinton, as a Senator, supported enhanced border security and proposed penalties for illegal immigrants, advocating measures such as tougher employer sanctions and increased physical barriers at borders. Similarly, Barack Obama’s administration deported over 2.5 million immigrants, focusing on those deemed threats. He urged enforcement prioritization for criminals, echoing a sentiment familiar in Trump’s immigration rhetoric. Obama’s statement exemplifies this past Democratic standpoint: “Undocumented workers broke our immigration laws, and I believe that they must be held accountable.”
The thing with this clip isn’t just that Democrats changed how they talk, it’s that the immigration policy issues changed.
When Obama took over, illegal immigration had peaked and the discussion was largely what to do with people who came from Mexico to work years earlier. The… https://t.co/gUWkKras7E
— Benjy Sarlin (@BenjySarlin) January 24, 2025
The Shift to Sanctuary Cities
The Democrat party’s stance on immigration changed, aligning more with measures resisting strict deportation enforcement. This pivot towards protecting illegal immigrants has culminated in sanctuary cities, mostly characteristic of liberal states. This shift away from earlier stringent immigration control policies clarified during campaigns, especially Hillary Clinton’s presidential run, which distanced her from Obama’s immigration enforcement records.
Furthermore, the opposition to Trump’s plans manifests through legal challenges. Democrat attorneys general are actively devising strategies to confront his immigration agenda, claiming legal tactics like sending troops into schools violate constitutional rights. Their contention highlights a significant turn in immigration dialogue from the days when their leaders enforced similar deportation measures.
Trump’s Stance and Legal Preparations
Donald Trump’s administration seeks to enforce stringent immigration measures, resonating with earlier Democratic leaders’ policies. His team is preparing executive actions resistant to legal opposition, aiming for efficient large-scale deportations. Trump’s policy rhetoric, focusing on national security and economic impacts of illegal immigration, aligns with sentiments expressed by past Democrat leaders like Bill Clinton.
The battle lines are clear. State prosecutors argue Trump’s plans risk constitutional breaches. Statements by figures like New Jersey Attorney General Matthew Platkin emphasize this apprehension. He noted the expansive reach of Trump’s plans: “And we’re not going to stand for that.”
Despite these challenges, Trump’s resolve shows a reflection of principles once championed by his strongest political opponents.