Hillary Clinton Reflects on Migration Policy: Acknowledges Past Mistakes in Surprising Statement

During a surprising revelation at Germany’s Munich Security Conference, Hillary Clinton expressed concerns over migration, stating that it had become overly extensive and caused significant disruption and instability in countries with open borders. Addressing the panel on “The West Divide: What Remains of Common Values,” the 78-year-old former Secretary of State acknowledged the need for a constructive conversation on migration. “There is a valid reason to debate migration,” Clinton remarked. “It has gone beyond limits, causing disruption and instability, and it must be addressed humanely, ensuring secure borders that don’t harm people while maintaining strong family structures as the foundation of civilization.”

Clinton criticized current deportation practices, labeling them as “bullying” and “shameful.” She argued, “The ongoing debate is fueled by attempts to control identities, appearances, and personal choices, and it’s crucial to recognize this reality.” While admitting that certain areas might benefit from a physical barrier, Clinton opposed the idea of a continuous wall along the border, according to Fox News. Her remarks marked a significant departure from her earlier statements about the migrant crisis in the United States.

During Donald Trump’s initial tenure in the White House, Clinton denounced his immigration policies, accusing him of exacerbating the situation with inhumane practices at the border, such as detaining children and separating families. In 2018, she described it as “one of the most disgraceful episodes in our history,” according to Newsweek. Clinton has consistently advocated for immigration reform, emphasizing the need for laws to be enforced with fairness and respect for human rights. Throughout her 2016 presidential campaign, she opposed harsh deportation measures and her anti-immigration rival, Trump, pledging to establish an Office of Immigrant Affairs in the White House and re-evaluate deportation policies thoroughly.

Just as Trump pledged, Clinton too said she would put criminals and terrorists at the top of the deportation list. ‘I have a very active agenda, and we’re gonna be moving on it,’ she said. In 2015, she accused Trump and Marco Rubio of wanting to ‘tear families apart’ with their promises of harsher immigration laws. At the National Immigration Integration Conference in Brooklyn that same year, she laid out her hopes to open up a ‘path to citizenship’ for immigrants, including waiving visa feeds, providing more language programs and closing private detention centers.

‘If you work hard, if you love this country and want nothing more to build a good future for you and your children, we should give you a way to come forward and become a citizen,’ she said. ‘There are millions of people in America who could be naturalized for one reason or another, they’re not. So let’s help more of our neighbors claim their rights. It’s so powerful, so precious to be a citizen of the United States.’ As she dreamed of her chance in the president’s seat, Clinton had plans to continue on with former President Barack Obama’s executive orders related to immigration.

‘I will fight for comprehensive immigration reform and a path to citizenship,’ she told a Las Vegas group of high school student immigrants. In addition to the ‘DREAMers’ Obama protected from deportation – those brought to the US as minors – Clinton said she wanted the program to also grant legal amnesty to the parents. ‘I want to do everything we can to defend the president’s executive orders,’ she said, adding separately that ‘as president I would do everything possible under the law to go even further.’