There’s no way to spin this favorably for the Democrats. Their commitment to open-border policies and their failure to address the crime associated with illegal immigration have backfired spectacularly. This miscalculation may go down as one of the most significant political blunders in history. In their effort to bring millions of potential Democrat voters into the country, they not only ceded the moral high ground on immigration but also alienated many voters who see these policies as a threat to public safety and the nation’s sovereignty.
According to CNN’s chief data analyst Harry Enten, “the GOP has turned an 11-point deficit on who Americans trust on immigration in Trump’s first term into a 22-point lead right now.” This remarkable turnaround demonstrates how the Democratic Party, under Joe Biden, fundamentally mismanaged immigration and lost the confidence of the American people.
Once upon a time, Democrats enjoyed an advantage on immigration policy. That 11-point advantage they had over Republicans was back in April 2017, shortly after Trump took office is now gone. The Republican Party has not only regained lost ground, but it has also forged a robust 22-point lead that transcends party affiliation.
The growing mistrust of Democrats on immigration is further underscored by statistical shifts in public perception. According to Enten, “the right track percentage” regarding immigration has seen a substantial increase, indicating a favorable shift toward Republicans. Just last month, “only 14% of Americans thought we were on the right track” concerning immigration. However, following the changes implemented under Trump, this number has surged to 37%, which represents a 23-point increase that highlights how Americans are increasingly favoring hardline immigration policies over the Democrats' open-border approach.
Related: Can You Guess How Many Children Were Born to Illegals in the United States?
The figures are revealing. According to Enten, “the wrong track was 62%,” signaling that most Americans felt disillusioned with where immigration policies were headed under Biden. The comparison with Trump’s tenure could not be starker. As Enten points out, Trump’s immigration policies are seeing a resurgence in public approval, now reflected by 46% of Americans approving of his immigration strategies compared to only 39% who disapprove. “You don’t have to be a mathematical genius to know that 46% is bigger than 39%,” Enten quips, emphasizing that more Americans are siding with Trump and the Republican Party than with Biden and the Democrats.
The data suggests that immigration is a formidable issue for Republicans, who have consistently emphasized border security and deporting criminal illegal aliens. As Enten notes, “Americans are much more on [Trump and the Republicans’] side than they are on the Democrats side” on this issue.
The GOP has turned a 11 pt deficit on who Americans trust on immigration in Trump's first term at roughly this point into a 22 point lead right now.
— (((Harry Enten))) (@ForecasterEnten) January 27, 2025
Moreover, the percentage who say we're on the right track on immigration is up 23 points under Trump than it was under Biden. pic.twitter.com/FEaN41kozD
The Biden administration’s immigration policy was a total disaster, and its efforts to dismiss Trump’s policies as racist don’t work anymore. Americans experienced firsthand the dangers of Biden’s policies, and it led Americans on both sides of the aisle to recognize that it’s Trump and the Republicans who are acting in the best interests of the people.
Democrats are beginning to reap the consequences of their misguided policies. As the landscape continues to evolve, immigration will remain a pivotal issue in American politics, and Republicans appear ready to capitalize on the Democrats' self-inflicted wounds, which may keep them out of power for the foreseeable future.
