Here & Now

On the Issues: Immigration

Frederica Freyberg:
We move along. We move now to the topic of immigration. A topic that has been as tied up in the courts as it has been in the halls of Congress. We asked Tammy Baldwin and Leah Vukmir where they stood on immigration policy. We hear first from Baldwin.

Tammy Baldwin:
I do not support the elimination of ICE, but I do support a real focus on setting priorities. The enforcement of our immigration laws ought to be prioritized to start with dangerous criminals, drug dealers. And when we see and hear some of the stories, it’s clear that they don’t always have their priorities right and they ought to be overseen both by the administration and the Congress of the United States. But on the larger topic, I do believe we need comprehensive immigration reform. We have a broken system for sure. That that comprehensive reform ought to address the plight of the dreamers, these child separations that are immoral on our southern border, and also create a strong but smart border security.

Leah Vukmir:
I believe we are a nation of laws and we have to uphold those laws. We have to first build that wall and then we can start talking about the other aspects of immigration reform. But I feel very strongly that the wall is important for a variety of reasons. It’s not just to stem the flow of illegal immigrants. But human trafficking, drug trafficking. We have problems with MS-13 gang members. And as a nurse I also look at public health concerns. I do remember the times hearing grandmother talk about various people who were stuck at Ellis Island because of health concerns. And we have no control over that as people cross this border illegally because we have porous areas on the border.

Frederica Freyberg:
Tammy Baldwin says she’s not in favor of eliminating ICE and Leah Vukmir says first priority, build that wall. So they’re far apart on this issue as well. What about those ICE arrests in Wisconsin in the past several days, too? Anything from them?

Shawn Johnson:
Yeah, I think the noteworthy thing is you haven’t heard a lot from them on those arrests or really this issue as far as the campaign goes. Yes, they have very different views, but if you kind of step back and look at this campaign as a whole, would you say that either candidate is making immigration a centerpiece of their campaign? You know, I don’t think you would.

Frederica Freyberg:
Not yet.

Laurel White:
Yeah, I think it’s really interesting to look at public perception at immigration issues and how that’s evolved over time. We know that more people in Wisconsin and across the country favor a path to citizenship. And so maybe that’s an area where this is a more toward the middle issue. And so they’re not focusing on it quite as much. I think it’s also interesting to note that Vukmir does mention that she’s from an immigrant family in her first general election campaign ad. So there’s a little mention there.

Frederica Freyberg:
And Vukmir has also said that it was troubling for her to see the separation of these families at the border and of course Tammy Baldwin says that as well.

Shawn Johnson:
Yeah but in a way they’re both going toward, I don’t know, the mythical middle on this one where Baldwin is not with the left of her party when it comes to eliminating ICE, for example. And Vukmir yes, she supports building the ball but she also emphasizes, as Laurel mentioned, her roots coming from a family of immigrants. So doesn’t seem like they’re making it the issue that President Trump did in 2016 where every stop was build the wall.