During a fundraising event in Washington for his 2024 re-election campaign, US President Joe Biden argued that immigrants have strengthened the country and criticized xenophobia from countries like India, China, Russia, and Japan for stalling their economic growth. He pointed out that countries that are not welcoming to immigrants are facing economic challenges, unlike the US which benefits from the contributions of immigrants.
Biden specifically called out China, Japan, Russia, and India for their xenophobic attitudes towards immigrants, attributing their economic struggles to these policies. He emphasized that immigrants are what make the United States strong and that the country’s economy is growing because of the diversity and contributions of immigrants. The event also marked the beginning of Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage Month.
In contrast to his opponent, Republican candidate and former president Donald Trump, Biden has taken a more welcoming stance towards immigrants. He has criticized Trump for his anti-immigrant rhetoric and has worked to reverse some of the strict immigration policies put in place during the previous administration. Biden has implemented new parole policies to allow certain migrants to enter the country legally for humanitarian reasons.
Despite Biden’s efforts to address immigration, he is facing criticism from voters over his handling of the issue and concerns over unemployment. A recent poll found that over half of US adults believe that Biden’s presidency has negatively impacted the country in terms of cost of living and immigration. This indicates that while Biden’s pro-immigrant stance is supported by many, there are still challenges and concerns surrounding the issue.
