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Drew University Election Series: Francisco Peláez Díaz Assistant Teaching Professor in Latinx Studies and Ministries

Perspectives from Drew faculty and staff experts

November 2024 – With the charged 2024 Presidential Election fast approaching, Drew University faculty and staff have weighed in to provide perspectives and insights from their areas of expertise.

Francisco Peláez Díaz Assistant Teaching Professor in Latinx Studies and Ministries

What is your perspective of this election?

As an immigration scholar, I am certain that the 2024 U.S. election is deeply consequential. Immigration issues are strongly polarized, and both major parties have presented distinctly different visions and understandings for the future of immigration policy. This election reflects not only a choice of policies but also a fundamental division in values surrounding immigrations role in American society.

Immigration reform has remained unresolved over the past few decades, leading to significant legal and humanitarian challenges, including a backlog of asylum cases, a lack of pathways for low-skilled workers, and inconsistent enforcement policies. Both parties generally agree that reform is needed but disagree on the approach and specifics. In recent years, we’ve seen proposals for immigration reform come to a halt due to partisan gridlock, with immigration often becoming a cultural and political commodity rather than a policy issue solved by legislative negotiation.

The election will likely shape:

  • Border Security and Enforcement: One side emphasizes stricter border enforcement, focusing on rapid and mass deportations and further militarization of the border as a way to control unauthorized immigration. The other side is more focused on addressing root causes of migration, improving processing at ports of entry, and reforming asylum processes.
  • Pathways to Citizenship: A significant part of the population agrees on the need for pathways to citizenship for undocumented immigrants, especially those brought to the U.S. as children, known as “dreamers.” The outcome of this election could either solidify or jeopardize programs like DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals) and Temporary Protected Status (TPS).
  • Labor and Economic Immigration: With the U.S. facing labor shortages in key industries, immigration is increasingly discussed in terms of workforce needs. A shift in policy here could either expand visa programs to meet demand or restrict them in favor of domestic hiring. The latter position does not offer any explanation as to how to meet the labor demand, considering the shrinking birth rate in the U.S. and the dual labor market, which discourages American citizens from doing certain kinds of jobs.

What would you say to people on either side of the aisle who are concerned about the outcome and/or integrity of the outcome?

To Americans across the political spectrum, concerns over the election outcome are understandable in today’s polarized climate, where mistrust in certain institutions has been instilled. The importance of fair elections is fundamental to a functioning democracy, and some of the (unjustified and often unfounded) concerns raised by some have been proactively addressed:

  • Confidence in Election Administration: Election systems have undergone significant modernization, with many states implementing reforms to improve security, even when this has meant less access to certain segments of the population. Polling processes are overseen by professionals across party lines, ensuring transparency. It’s also worth noting that numerous bipartisan studies have affirmed the extremely low incidence of voter fraud in U.S. elections.
  • Role of Checks and Balances: If election results are contested, the U.S. legal system has mechanisms for review, including recounts and judicial challenges. Historically, courts have played a crucial role in resolving election disputes, and their rulings are a safeguard against potential mismanagement or fraud.

Regardless of the outcome, it’s critical to maintain dialogue and avoid inflammatory narratives. A functioning democracy requires that election outcomes are respected, even if they differ from one’s personal preference. Both sides benefit from constructive discourse on common issues—immigration included—and respectful engagement strengthens the democratic process.

For many people, immigration remains an intensely personal and defining issue, and these elections will have long-lasting consequences. Being informed, trusting in established democratic processes, and listening to the immigrants we know—I’m sure everyone knows or encounters immigrants in their daily dealings—are the best ways to navigate the complexities of this political moment.

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