Republican Presidential Candidates Focus on Northern Border Security

The New Battleground: Securing the Northern Border

In the 2024 Republican presidential race, candidates are shifting their attention to the northern border with Canada, a departure from the traditional focus on the southern border with Mexico. This strategic pivot reflects growing concerns among Republican voters about illegal crossings, drug trafficking, and potential terrorist threats along the northern frontier. As candidates vie for support, they’re proposing various strategies to secure this often-overlooked border.

Trump and DeSantis: Leading the Charge

Former President Donald Trump and Florida Governor Ron DeSantis have emerged as vocal advocates for increased northern border security. Trump, known for his hardline stance on immigration, has characterized the northern border as “not so hot,” calling for stricter measures to combat illegal crossings. DeSantis, a potential 2024 contender, has pledged to provide additional protection and resources to address the issue, emphasizing the need to safeguard America’s national security.

Nikki Haley’s Bold Promise

Nikki Haley, the former U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, has taken the northern border issue to new heights, making it a central plank of her presidential campaign. She has repeatedly mentioned the border in campaign stops, arguing that it’s a gateway for illegal crossings and potential terrorist threats. Haley’s boldest proposal is her pledge to build a wall along the northern border, a move that has garnered both support and criticism.

The Hard Numbers: Apprehensions on the Rise

While apprehensions at the northern border pale in comparison to those at the southern border, they have been steadily increasing in recent years. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) data reveals that nearly 189,000 apprehensions occurred at the northern border from October 2022 to September 2023, a significant jump from previous years. This surge in apprehensions has heightened concerns among Republican voters and lawmakers, who view it as evidence of a growing problem that demands immediate action.

New Hampshire’s Divided Sentiments

Despite the rising apprehensions, a recent poll conducted in New Hampshire, a state that shares a border with Canada, found that only 37% of voters were concerned about the northern border. However, among Republican voters, 64% expressed concern, highlighting the partisan divide on this issue. This disparity underscores the challenge Republican candidates face in convincing a broader electorate of the urgency of the northern border issue.

Democratic Skepticism: A Political Ploy?

Democrats have met the Republican focus on the northern border with skepticism, arguing that it’s a political ploy to rile up their right-wing base. They point out that apprehensions at the northern border are relatively low compared to the southern border and that the issue has been raised by candidates who have struggled to gain traction in the race. Democrats contend that the real border crisis lies at the southern border and that the focus on the north is a distraction from addressing the more pressing issue.

Past Efforts and Ongoing Negotiations

In recent years, some Republicans have taken steps to address northern border security. In early 2023, more than two dozen House Republicans formed the Northern Border Security Caucus, advocating for increased resources and attention to this issue. Additionally, Senate negotiators are working on a bipartisan immigration package that could bring changes to both the northern and southern borders. The Biden administration has also reached an agreement with the Canadian government to turn back asylum-seekers who cross the shared border illegally.

Conclusion: A Multifaceted Challenge

The focus on northern border security by Republican presidential candidates reflects the growing concerns among their base about illegal crossings and other security issues along this often-overlooked frontier. While apprehensions at the northern border are lower than those at the southern border, they have been increasing in recent years, fueling Republican calls for increased attention and resources. Democrats have criticized the Republican focus on this issue, arguing that it’s an attempt to appeal to their right-wing base. Ongoing negotiations and bipartisan efforts may bring changes to both the northern and southern borders in the future. The issue of border security remains a complex and multifaceted challenge that will likely continue to be a key topic in the 2024 presidential race.