Hillary Clinton Defends Democrats' Immigration Record, But History Tells a Different Story

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In a speech at the Munich Security Conference, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton claimed that more people were deported under her husband Bill Clinton's and President Barack Obama's administrations than under former President Donald Trump, and that their policies were more 'humane.' However, a review of the historical record shows that the Clinton and Obama administrations implemented harsh immigration enforcement measures that led to increased migrant deaths and family separations.

Why it matters

Clinton's comments reflect an ongoing debate over the immigration policies of Democratic and Republican administrations. As the 2024 presidential election approaches, her remarks could be seen as positioning herself for another run. This story examines the factual accuracy of Clinton's claims and provides context around the immigration enforcement actions taken by past Democratic presidents.

The details

The Clinton administration implemented an immigration enforcement strategy known as 'prevention through deterrence' in 1994, which resulted in the construction of miles of fencing along the U.S.-Mexico border and increased personnel at major points of entry. This led to an increase in migrant deaths, with the Congressional Research Service finding that the average number of migrant deaths per year rose from 200 in the early 1990s to 472 in 2005. Clinton also signed the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act in 1996, which significantly increased the number of people eligible for deportation and made it harder for undocumented immigrants to obtain legal status. During the Obama administration, the number of unaccompanied minors arriving at the border surged, leading the administration to rush the construction of detention centers to hold families that had arrived illegally. One such facility, the Dilley Immigration Processing Center in Texas, has faced ongoing criticism over poor conditions and the detainment of children.

• In 1994, the Clinton administration implemented the 'prevention through deterrence' immigration enforcement strategy.
• In 1996, Clinton signed the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act.
• In 2014, the number of unaccompanied minors arriving at the border significantly increased under the Obama administration.

What they’re saying

What’s next

The Biden administration's continued use of Title 42 to expel migrants has faced criticism, with some arguing it has fueled a 'gold rush for human smugglers.' The legacy of past Democratic administrations' immigration policies remains a subject of debate as the 2024 election approaches.