Julián and Joaquin Castro knock Biden administration’s lack of immigration strategy
Former U.S. Housing and Urban Development Secretary Julián Castro criticized the Biden administration for its lack of a clear strategy on immigration, stating that the Democratic party has avoided tough conversations on the issue. Speaking at the Texas Tribune Festival in Austin, Castro highlighted the administration’s failure to address the issue, allowing Republicans to make it their primary focus.
Castro, who ran for the Democratic presidential nomination in 2020, emphasized the need for Democrats to put forward a robust argument in favor of their immigration policies. He pointed out that while the Biden administration has taken some unilateral actions to aid migrants, such as expanding Temporary Protective Status for Venezuelans, it has not effectively communicated its efforts to the public.
State Senator Roland Gutierrez also highlighted the administration’s return to immigration enforcement under Title 8, which has led to a significant decrease in border crossings. However, he noted that the administration’s focus on economic policies has not resonated with voters.
Joaquin Castro, who was also part of the panel, emphasized the importance of reminding the country about the stakes of the 2024 election and the rise of “anti-Democratic” efforts by Republicans. He suggested that Democrats’ best chance at turning Texas blue is during the midterm of a Republican president’s term.
The panel discussion also touched on the upcoming 2024 Texas Senate race, with Gutierrez among several Democrats running to challenge U.S. Senator Ted Cruz. Joaquin Castro declined to comment on whether he plans to run for higher office in the future, but stressed the importance of Democrats rallying behind strong candidates in key elections.
Overall, the panel highlighted the need for the Biden administration and the Democratic party to address immigration issues more effectively and communicate their policies to the public in order to gain support ahead of the 2024 election.