Border Security and Immigration Reform: A Comparison Between Donald Trump and Kamala Harris and How Harris’s Plan is Better for Small Businesses and the Economy

Immigration reform has always been a critical issue in the United States, impacting not only the nation's social fabric but also its economy and businesses. As the 2024 election approaches, the contrast between the immigration policies of Donald Trump and Kamala Harris becomes even more pronounced. Their approaches reflect two very different visions for the future of border security and immigration in the U.S., with significant implications for small businesses and the overall economy.

Let’s break down how each candidate views immigration reform and why Kamala Harris's approach offers a more sustainable and beneficial path forward for businesses and the country.

Pathway to Citizenship

One of the core differences between Trump and Harris is their stance on offering undocumented immigrants a path to citizenship.

• Kamala Harris strongly supports creating a clear pathway to citizenship for undocumented immigrants, especially for Dreamers and essential workers. Her plan seeks to bring millions of immigrants out of the shadows, allowing them to contribute to the economy openly and legally. This includes workers who have been vital to industries like agriculture, healthcare, and service sectors, which small businesses heavily rely on.

• Donald Trump, on the other hand, has consistently opposed granting legal status to undocumented immigrants. His administration focused on deportation and strict immigration enforcement, which disrupted industries that rely on immigrant labor.

Why Harris’s Plan is Better: By legalizing undocumented workers, Harris’s plan allows these individuals to participate fully in the economy, pay taxes, and contribute to small businesses as employees, customers, and entrepreneurs. This would lead to a stronger labor force and boost the economy, as opposed to Trump's more exclusionary policies, which create uncertainty and limit economic potential.

DACA and Dreamers

The future of Dreamers—undocumented immigrants brought to the U.S. as children—has been a major point of contention.

• Kamala Harris fully supports the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program and plans to expand protections for Dreamers. She seeks to offer permanent residency and citizenship to those who have grown up in the U.S., allowing them to continue contributing to society.

• Donald Trump tried multiple times to end DACA, leaving the status of Dreamers in limbo and causing immense uncertainty for these young immigrants and the businesses that rely on their talents and labor.

Why Harris’s Plan is Better: Providing security to Dreamers ensures that small businesses and startups can retain skilled, motivated workers who contribute to innovation and growth. Many Dreamers have become business owners themselves, and protecting their status is crucial for fostering entrepreneurship and workforce stability.

Family Separation and Human Rights

The treatment of immigrants at the border is another area where the two candidates diverge significantly.

• Kamala Harris is firmly opposed to family separation at the border. Her approach emphasizes humane treatment, aiming to reunite families and prevent future separations through fair and efficient border processing.

• Donald Trump implemented the controversial family separation policy during his presidency, causing widespread outrage and raising serious human rights concerns. His administration also increased deportation efforts, even for immigrants with long-established ties to the U.S.

Why Harris’s Plan is Better: A humane immigration policy reflects the values of fairness and justice, which are essential for creating a society where people feel safe and valued. This sense of security is crucial for fostering entrepreneurship and small business development, especially in immigrant communities. Harris’s policy would help immigrants integrate into the economy and contribute as both employees and business owners.

Asylum and Refugee Policies

How the U.S. handles asylum seekers and refugees directly affects its workforce and its standing in the global economy.

• Kamala Harris plans to restore asylum programs and increase refugee admissions. Her approach emphasizes humane treatment, providing asylum seekers with due process and ensuring that refugees have the opportunity to build new lives in the U.S.

• Donald Trump drastically reduced refugee admissions and restricted asylum applications, implementing policies that made it harder for people to seek refuge in the U.S., even those fleeing dangerous situations.

Why Harris’s Plan is Better: Refugees and asylum seekers often become entrepreneurs and contribute significantly to the U.S. economy. By welcoming refugees and asylum seekers, Harris’s policies would help fill labor gaps, stimulate innovation, and diversify the economy, all while maintaining the U.S.'s position as a global leader in humanitarian efforts.

Border Security

Both candidates agree on the need for border security but take very different approaches.

• Kamala Harris advocates for a smarter, more modern approach to border security, using advanced technology to enhance security while ensuring humane treatment of immigrants. She aims to improve the efficiency of border processing without resorting to aggressive tactics or physical barriers like a wall.

• Donald Trump promoted the construction of a physical border wall as the centerpiece of his immigration strategy. He also increased raids and deportation efforts, which created a climate of fear and instability for immigrants and the businesses that depend on them.

Why Harris’s Plan is Better: Harris’s focus on technology and efficiency is a more cost-effective and humane solution to border security. It balances the need for safety with the need to maintain a positive relationship with immigrant communities, which are essential to the U.S. workforce and economy. Small businesses, especially those in border states, benefit from policies that promote stability and growth without the fear of sudden immigration crackdowns.

Impact on Small Businesses and the Economy

Harris’s immigration reform plan offers several direct benefits to small businesses and the broader economy:

1. Labor Force Stability: By offering legal status to undocumented workers and protecting Dreamers, Harris ensures a steady and reliable workforce for small businesses that rely on immigrant labor, particularly in industries like agriculture, construction, and hospitality.

2. Entrepreneurship: Many immigrants are entrepreneurs who create jobs and drive innovation. Harris’s policies would foster a business environment where immigrant entrepreneurs can thrive, contributing to local economies and job creation.

3. Economic Growth: Legalizing millions of undocumented immigrants would increase their purchasing power and participation in the economy, driving demand for goods and services and boosting small businesses across the country.

4. Innovation and Talent Retention: Dreamers and other skilled immigrants play a key role in industries such as tech and healthcare. By providing a pathway to citizenship, Harris ensures that the U.S. retains top talent and remains competitive in the global economy.

Conclusion

While both Donald Trump and Kamala Harris acknowledge the importance of border security and immigration reform, their approaches could not be more different. Trump's restrictive and punitive policies disrupt communities and businesses, while Harris's plans focus on humane, practical solutions that strengthen the economy and support small businesses.

For small business owners and entrepreneurs, Harris’s immigration reforms represent a pathway to a more stable, inclusive, and prosperous future. By voting for Kamala Harris, we can ensure that the U.S. continues to be a land of opportunity for all, with policies that promote economic growth and social fairness.

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