Border Wars: Inside Trump's Assault on Immigration

The Battle on America's Borders

Immigration has been a divisive topic in American politics for decades. However, no president has taken a more aggressive stance on this issue than President Donald Trump. Since assuming office in 2017, Trump has led an all-out assault on immigration, often pitting himself against Democrats and even members of his own party. In this article, we delve into the border wars that have defined Trump's presidency.

The Genesis of the Immigration Battle

Trump made immigration a central theme of his 2016 presidential campaign, promising to build a wall along the US-Mexico border and to crack down on undocumented immigrants. These promises appealed to many Americans who felt that illegal immigration was eroding American jobs and national security.

The Controversial Policies

Once in office, Trump wasted no time implementing his immigration agenda. He signed an executive order known as the "Muslim Ban," which placed restrictions on travel from several predominantly Muslim countries. This move sparked widespread protests and legal challenges, setting the tone for future battles over immigration policy.

Border Wars: Inside Trump's Assault on Immigration

by Julie Hirschfeld Davis(Kindle Edition)

4.5 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	33516 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
X-Ray	:	Enabled
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Print length	:	478 pages

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Trump also ended the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program, leading to significant controversy. DACA protected young undocumented immigrants from deportation, but Trump argued that it was an overreach of executive power. Despite opposition from Democrats and activists, the Trump administration pushed its agenda forward.

The Battle Over the Wall

The border wall between the US and Mexico became a symbolic battleground for Trump's immigration agenda. Despite facing opposition from Congress and Mexico refusing to pay for it, Trump pushed for the wall's construction.

This led to the longest government shutdown in US history when Trump demanded funding for the wall. The stalemate resulted in federal workers going without pay and further deepened divisions within the country.

The Family Separation Crisis

One of the most controversial aspects of Trump's immigration policies was the "zero tolerance" policy that resulted in the separation of families at the border. Under this policy, thousands of children were separated from their parents and held in detention facilities.

The images and stories of infants and toddlers being held in cages sparked outrage across the nation and around the world. Trump eventually signed an executive order ending the family separation practice, but the damage was done.

The Legal Battles

Trump's immigration policies faced numerous legal challenges from civil rights groups, states, and individuals. The Supreme Court became a critical battleground for deciding the fate of these policies.

One notable case was the legal battle over Trump's attempt to end DACA. The Supreme Court ruled against the Trump administration, stating that it failed to provide an adequate reason for ending the program. This decision provided temporary relief for Dreamers, but the fight over DACA is far from over.

The Impact on Immigration

Trump's assault on immigration has had far-reaching consequences. While some argue that his policies have enhanced border security and protected American jobs, others believe that they have undermined America's values as a nation of immigrants.

Legal immigration has also been affected, with the Trump administration implementing policies that restrict access to visas and green cards. These policies have made it harder for immigrants to come to the United States and reunite with their families.

The Legacy of Trump's Immigration Policies

As Trump's presidency came to an end, the legacy of his immigration policies remains a divisive subject. Supporters praise his efforts to secure the border and protect American jobs, while critics condemn his approach as inhumane and xenophobic.

What the future holds for immigration policy in America remains uncertain. The incoming Biden administration has promised to reverse many of Trump's policies and pursue a more empathetic approach to immigration. Only time will tell how the border wars will shape the nation moving forward.

President Trump's assault on immigration has been one of the defining features of his presidency. From the battle over the border wall to the controversial family separation policy, his approach has had far-reaching consequences for immigrants and the nation as a whole. The legacy of these policies will undoubtedly continue to shape the immigration debate in the years to come.

Border Wars: Inside Trump's Assault on Immigration

by Julie Hirschfeld Davis(Kindle Edition)

4.5 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	33516 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
X-Ray	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	478 pages

FREE

Two New York Times Washington correspondents provide a detailed, “fact-based account of what precipitated some of this administration’s more brazen assaults on immigration” (The Washington Post) filled with never-before-told stories of this key issue of Donald Trump’s presidency.

No issue matters more to Donald Trump and his administration than restricting immigration.

Julie Hirschfeld Davis and Michael D. Shear have covered the Trump administration from its earliest days. In Border Wars, they take us inside the White House to document how Stephen Miller and other anti-immigration officials blocked asylum-seekers and refugees, separated families, threatened deportation, and sought to erode the longstanding bipartisan consensus that immigration and immigrants make positive contributions to America. Their revelation of Trump’s desire for a border moat filled with alligators made national news.

As the authors reveal, Trump has used immigration to stoke fears (“the caravan”),attack Democrats and the courts, and distract from negative news and political difficulties. As he seeks reelection in 2020, Trump has elevated immigration in the imaginations of many Americans into a national crisis.

Border Wars identifies the players behind Trump’s anti-immigration policies, showing how they planned, stumbled and fought their way toward changes that have further polarized the nation. “[Davis and Shear’s] exquisitely reported Border Wars reveals the shattering horror of the moment, [and] the mercurial unreliability and instability of the president” (The New York Times Book Review).