During a rally at Madison Square Garden, Trump’s advisor Stephen Miller spoke out against immigrants, stating that if Trump is re-elected, Miller will be responsible for a program to round up and expel millions of undocumented immigrants.
Miller, a close advisor to Trump who has influenced many of his immigration policies, claimed that Americans are losing their jobs to foreign countries, using strong language such as “looted and stolen from them.”
He took his anti-immigration stance even further by declaring that “America is for America and Americans only,” echoing sentiments that have been prevalent throughout the campaign.
However, former President Ronald Reagan had a different perspective. In one of his final messages as President, Reagan emphasized the importance of welcoming immigrants. He worked to reform the immigration system during his time in office, ensuring that all immigrants entered the country legally and even granting amnesty to those without proper documentation.
An immigration website provides information about Reagan’s bipartisan legislation:
Ronald Reagan
In the early days of his presidency, Ronald Reagan released a statement on United States Immigration and Refugee Policy, outlining his commitment to continuing America’s tradition of welcoming individuals from other countries, especially those seeking refuge from oppression. He called for the recognition and legalization of the millions of undocumented immigrants in the country, without incentivizing further illegal immigration.
On November 6, 1986, Ronald Reagan signed the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986, the most comprehensive immigration law passed during his presidency. This legislation allowed immigrants who had entered the U.S. illegally before January 1, 1982 to apply for legal status by paying fines, back taxes, demonstrating good moral character, and learning English. Approximately 3 million immigrants were able to obtain legal status through this provision, which Reagan himself referred to as “amnesty.”