Winners & Losers In Immigration Grading Of Presidential Candidates

InmigracionyVisas has evaluated the various presidential candidates based on their views and previous actions on:

1. Understanding and compassion for immigrants
2. Path to citizenship for current undocumented immigrants, DACA and DREAMers
3. Decriminalization of undocumented immigrants
4. Support for naturalized citizens


Based on these criteria we have assigned a grade each presidential candidate. The grade indicates the candidate’s level of commitment to key immigration issues.

• Determined to repeal Chapter 8 § U.S.C. Section 1325 of the federal immigration code, that criminalizes illegal entry to U.S.
• Castro also wants to lay a path for legalization of unauthorized immigrants already in the U.S.A., as well as immigrants in DACA and in the DREAM And Promise Act.

• Warren wants to decriminalize the unauthorized entrance to U.S.A. for asylum seekers and victims of abuse.
• She also wants to get rid of all government contracts with private detention facilities and she wants to make immigration cases independent from the Attorney General intervention.

• Booker will limit detention only to immigrants that present a risk to public safety and immigrants who will not report for a Court date.
• He will also fade away private detention centers within three years.

• Harris is for pathway to citizenship for current undocumented immigrants. Protection for immigrants in DACA and DAPA (Dreamers) and Temporary Protected Status for immigrants who would face war or catastrophe if deported.
• Whe will close private detention centers.

• Sanders wants to treat unauthorized immigrant workers with the same protections of all American workers.
• He also wants to put unauthorized immigrants in the country on a path to citizenship.

• Detention only to undocumented immigrants with criminal record.
• Create a path to citizenship for current undocumented immigrants.

• Buttigieg wants to humanized ICE.
• He also wants to find a path to citizenship for immigrants in DACA.

• Biden wants education and limited health care for unauthorized immigrants.
• He also wants citizenship status for DREAMers.

• Yang wants permanent residency for current undocumented immigrants and path to citizenship 18 years later.
• He supports Dreamers.

• Klobuchar will support path to citizenship for current undocumented immigrants only if they have abided by the law, but by being undocumented it is likely that no one would qualify.

• Trump wants to drastically reduce the ability to immigrate legally for work or family reason, reduce the ability to apply for asylum in the US, as well as reduce the rights of already naturalized citizens.
• He also wants to accelerate deportation of immigrants even if they are receiving critical medical care in the US, or even if they came to the US as minors and have lived most of their lives in the US.