Hillary Clinton Calls for Humane Fix to Migration Issues

Former Secretary of State says migration "went too far" and needs to be addressed with secure borders and strong family structures.

Published on Feb. 15, 2026

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During a panel at the Munich Security Conference, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton acknowledged that migration has been "disruptive and destabilizing" and said it "needs to be fixed in a humane way with secure borders." Clinton, who previously supported more lenient immigration policies, now says there is a "legitimate reason to have a debate" about migration and that it "went too far."

Why it matters

Clinton's comments represent a shift in her stance on immigration, moving closer to a more restrictive approach. As a former presidential candidate and Secretary of State, her views on this issue carry significant weight and could influence the broader political discourse around immigration reform.

The details

At the Munich Security Conference, Clinton participated in a panel titled 'The West-West Divide: What Remains of Common Values.' During the discussion, she acknowledged the need for secure borders, saying "It went too far, it's been disruptive and destabilizing, and it needs to be fixed in a humane way with secure borders that don't torture and kill people." This marks a shift from her previous support for more lenient immigration policies, such as ending family detention and scaling back deportation raids.

  • Clinton made these comments at the Munich Security Conference on February 13, 2026.
  • In 2018, Clinton criticized the Trump administration's deportation policies, saying "It is now the official policy of the US government — a nation of immigrants — to separate children from their families. That is an absolute disgrace."
  • At a Newmark Civic Life Series event in Manhattan last year, Clinton argued that immigrants, both legal and undocumented, have been essential to the American economy.

The players

Hillary Clinton

Former U.S. Secretary of State and 2016 Democratic presidential candidate.

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What they’re saying

“There is a legitimate reason to have a debate about things like migration. It went too far, it's been disruptive and destabilizing, and it needs to be fixed in a humane way with secure borders that don't torture and kill people and how we're going to have a strong family structure because it is at the base of civilization.”

— Hillary Clinton, Former U.S. Secretary of State (Munich Security Conference)

The takeaway

Clinton's shift in stance on immigration represents a potential change in the Democratic party's approach to the issue, moving closer to a more restrictive position. This could have significant implications for future immigration policy debates and reforms.