President Joe Biden is gearing up to take on immigration as a key issue during Thursday’s debate, with plans to highlight his recent executive actions and criticize his Republican rival Donald Trump’s policies as extreme, according to a source familiar with the matter.
The Biden administration is already projecting confidence on border security, citing a decrease in border crossings since Biden’s actions to tighten asylum access. Despite facing record migration and multiple border crises since taking office, the White House is seizing a momentary reprieve to go on the offensive on immigration.
While Biden advisers do not see immigration as the defining issue for them, the President is prepared to address the topic, pointing to his administration’s actions and the border security bill that Trump blocked earlier this year. Officials have celebrated a significant drop in border crossings, attributing it to Biden’s executive actions, while criticizing Republicans for their inaction on immigration reform.
However, Biden’s immigration agenda has not yet resonated with voters, as polls show him trailing Trump on border security. Allies have urged Trump to focus on immigration during the debate, prompting Biden’s team to strategize on how to gain the upper hand on the issue.
The Biden campaign has consistently highlighted the differences between the two candidates, particularly emphasizing Trump’s controversial family separation policy as a reminder of his presidency’s actions. As the debate approaches, Biden is ready to confront the immigration issue head-on and make his case to the American people.