Better late than never. Here’s a New Year’s prediction: 2024 will be the year of the migrant, 1,000%. Yes, that label fits. Migrants and refugees will be center stage for the next 12 months. That includes the 11th month, November, and the 2024 presidential election, which will likely be a rematch that no one wants: Biden versus Trump, the war to see who is the bigger bore.
To the 1000s of people who cross into the United States every day, I have to ask: Are you really sure you want to do this? It’s not a good time for us. Still, if you’re the type of person to leave home, or flee a bad situation, or run towards a better tomorrow, this year could be for you. If you’re brave enough to pack up all your belongings and venture into the great unknown, chasing the promise of a better future, this is your big moment. If you’re not discouraged by the scourge of nativism, even in countries with immigrant traditions that have trouble living up to them, this is going to be your year. If you’d like to gamble, if you’re okay with changing countries midstream, if you’re willing and able to vote with your feet, and if you’re at peace with leaving behind loved ones in order to give your children better lives, the stars are aligned for you this year.
There’ll be a global phenomenon that’s not limited to the United States. And to some degree, it’s already underway. All around the world, people are on the move. From Northern Gaza to South America, they’re changing zip codes in a quest to change their fortunes. Or maybe they’re just leaving for their own survival after facing famine, war, poverty, corruption, violence, even natural disasters.
At the U.S.-Mexico border in Tijuana, Border Patrol agents report encountering people from dozens of countries. It’s not just Mexico that sends up. People are coming from Russia, Ukraine, Honduras, Haiti, Colombia, Venezuela and elsewhere. These people have one thing in common: Desperation. They’re out of options. And so they’re coming to the land of second chances, the United States, where you don’t have to be perfect, and the only thing you need to own is a dream.
These folks should look familiar to you. These are the tired, the poor, the huddled masses yearning to breathe free. Maybe you’ve heard of them. Maybe they look like your parents or remind you of your grandparents. They’re coming here to work, not for a handout. And they’re hoping that America lives up to the promise that’s printed right there in the brochure. Sadly, they’re likely to find out otherwise. Too many Americans want to pull up the ladder after them. The political parties don’t understand immigrants, and so neither one of them is much help in crafting a solution.
The Republicans are clueless. They’re content to blame the current migrant crisis at the U.S.-Mexico border on President Joe Biden, who they must think has the power to single-handedly cause millions of people to migrate to the United States. Street gangs in Honduras, a political assassination in Haiti, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, earthquakes, floods, according to Republicans who basically want to call it quits and build a huge wall and deep moat, it’s all Biden’s fault.
Meanwhile, the Democrats are gutless. After ignoring the crisis on the U.S.-Mexico border for years because of a fear of antagonizing Latinos and others on the pro-immigration left, and then promising to end all those terrible and repressive Trump border enforcement policies, now the Biden administration is acting like they were the first to discover the problem. Their solution? Be like Trump, and co-op the same policies they once criticized, and of course, hope no one notices the contradiction. Migrants will be all out of people’s mind this year. Let’s hope that leads to fewer heated arguments and more thoughtful solutions.
Ruben Navarrette
Columnist, host & author
Commentary
Our commentary partners will help you reach your own conclusions on complex topics.
Is the US looking for a war?
7 hrs ago
Peter Zeihan
How future generations could shift US support for Israel
Yesterday
Peter Zeihan
Why election of European Commission president is so important
Wednesday
Peter Zeihan
‘Both completely corrupt’: What Americans think of Biden, Trump
Tuesday
Dr. Frank Luntz
2024 will be a year for immigrants
Ruben Navarrette
Columnist, host & author
By Straight Arrow News
As conflicts rage around the world, refugees and immigrants continue to descend on the U.S.-Mexico border. They face the obstacles of leaving everything behind and overburdened U.S. immigration courts. In Congress, both Republicans and Democrats continue their debate on broader immigration reform.
Straight Arrow News contributor Ruben Navarrette says 2024 will be the year of the immigrant. Around the world, Navarrette predicts, humans everywhere will be packing their things and planning their move or their escape towards a safer or more promising future. He encourages politicians to plan ahead and to arrive at workable solutions.
There’ll be a global phenomenon that’s not limited to the United States. And to some degree, it’s already underway. All around the world, people are on the move. From Northern Gaza to South America, they’re changing zip codes in a quest to change their fortunes. Or maybe they’re just leaving for their own survival after facing famine, war, poverty, corruption, violence, even natural disasters.
At the U.S.-Mexico border in Tijuana, Border Patrol Agents report encountering people from dozens of countries. It’s not just Mexico that sends them. People are coming from Russia, Ukraine, Honduras, Haiti, Colombia, Venezuela and elsewhere. These people have one thing in common: desperation. They’re out of options. And so they’re coming to the land of second chances, the United States, where you don’t have to be perfect, and the only thing you need to own is a dream.
These folks should look familiar to you. These are the tired, the poor, the huddled masses yearning to breathe free. Maybe you’ve heard of them. Maybe they look like your parents or remind you of your grandparents. They’re coming here to work, not for a handout. And they’re hoping that America lives up to the promise that’s printed right there in the brochure. Sadly, they’re likely to find out otherwise. Too many Americans want to pull up the ladder after them. The political parties don’t understand immigrants, and so neither one of them is much help in crafting a solution.
Better late than never. Here’s a New Year’s prediction: 2024 will be the year of the migrant, 1,000%. Yes, that label fits. Migrants and refugees will be center stage for the next 12 months. That includes the 11th month, November, and the 2024 presidential election, which will likely be a rematch that no one wants: Biden versus Trump, the war to see who is the bigger bore.
To the 1000s of people who cross into the United States every day, I have to ask: Are you really sure you want to do this? It’s not a good time for us. Still, if you’re the type of person to leave home, or flee a bad situation, or run towards a better tomorrow, this year could be for you. If you’re brave enough to pack up all your belongings and venture into the great unknown, chasing the promise of a better future, this is your big moment. If you’re not discouraged by the scourge of nativism, even in countries with immigrant traditions that have trouble living up to them, this is going to be your year. If you’d like to gamble, if you’re okay with changing countries midstream, if you’re willing and able to vote with your feet, and if you’re at peace with leaving behind loved ones in order to give your children better lives, the stars are aligned for you this year.
There’ll be a global phenomenon that’s not limited to the United States. And to some degree, it’s already underway. All around the world, people are on the move. From Northern Gaza to South America, they’re changing zip codes in a quest to change their fortunes. Or maybe they’re just leaving for their own survival after facing famine, war, poverty, corruption, violence, even natural disasters.
At the U.S.-Mexico border in Tijuana, Border Patrol agents report encountering people from dozens of countries. It’s not just Mexico that sends up. People are coming from Russia, Ukraine, Honduras, Haiti, Colombia, Venezuela and elsewhere. These people have one thing in common: Desperation. They’re out of options. And so they’re coming to the land of second chances, the United States, where you don’t have to be perfect, and the only thing you need to own is a dream.
These folks should look familiar to you. These are the tired, the poor, the huddled masses yearning to breathe free. Maybe you’ve heard of them. Maybe they look like your parents or remind you of your grandparents. They’re coming here to work, not for a handout. And they’re hoping that America lives up to the promise that’s printed right there in the brochure. Sadly, they’re likely to find out otherwise. Too many Americans want to pull up the ladder after them. The political parties don’t understand immigrants, and so neither one of them is much help in crafting a solution.
The Republicans are clueless. They’re content to blame the current migrant crisis at the U.S.-Mexico border on President Joe Biden, who they must think has the power to single-handedly cause millions of people to migrate to the United States. Street gangs in Honduras, a political assassination in Haiti, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, earthquakes, floods, according to Republicans who basically want to call it quits and build a huge wall and deep moat, it’s all Biden’s fault.
Meanwhile, the Democrats are gutless. After ignoring the crisis on the U.S.-Mexico border for years because of a fear of antagonizing Latinos and others on the pro-immigration left, and then promising to end all those terrible and repressive Trump border enforcement policies, now the Biden administration is acting like they were the first to discover the problem. Their solution? Be like Trump, and co-op the same policies they once criticized, and of course, hope no one notices the contradiction. Migrants will be all out of people’s mind this year. Let’s hope that leads to fewer heated arguments and more thoughtful solutions.
No one is innocent in Trump assassination attempt
After the assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump, both Democratic and Republican leaders have called for reducing divisive rhetoric. Some Republicans blame the shooting on the language Democrats used in attacking Trump. Meanwhile, some prominent Republican lawmakers, such as Rep. Elise Stefanik, R-N.Y., have used similar rhetoric, calling Biden “a clear and present threat…
Tuesday
America must fix its broken Supreme Court
The U.S. Supreme Court was envisioned by America’s founding fathers as an independent judiciary separate from the political world, designed as a fair arbiter of the law. But the 6-3 conservative majority of today’s Supreme Court has issued a number of impactful, partisan and unpopular opinions on everything from abortion access to presidential power, triggering…
Jul 16
Despite Biden’s stumble, rambling Trump can’t win debate
The first presidential debate of 2024 resulted in what many believe was a clear winner and loser. President Joe Biden’s performance was universally panned, affecting his fundraising efforts and intensifying calls for his ousting. Meanwhile, former President Donald Trump, despite being criticized for his false claims during the debate, has kept a low profile, opting…
Jul 9
Why Republicans will never shut down US-Mexico border
A group of Republican senators expressed “grave concerns” to President Biden over his recent executive order that would provide a path to citizenship to approximately 500,000 people who have been in the country for a decade or more and are also married to United States citizens. The GOP lawmakers argued that Biden’s immigration relief “directly contravenes…
Jul 2
Why Democrats’ immigration playbook not working with Latino voters
In June 2012, as President Barack Obama campaigned for reelection, he ordered immigration enforcement agents to defer action against those who had arrived in the United States as children. This executive action, known as DACA, offered a path to work permits for hundreds of thousands of undocumented immigrants. That November, Obama cruised to reelection, beating…
Jun 25
Underreported stories from each side
Group accuses Pa. teachers union of illegally using money to back Shapiro’s 2022 campaign
8 sources | 0% from the left
Getty Images
Some House Republicans slam Vance as Trump’s VP pick: ‘The worst choice’
8 sources | 0% from the right
Reuters
Latest Stories
Congress still trying to figure out how to reduce wasteful military spending
Watch 2:29
2 hrs ago
US Navy, Air Force making waves with new weapons at RIMPAC
Watch 6:03
2 hrs ago
Israeli PM Netanyahu meets with Trump at Mar-a-Lago
Watch 2:54
2 hrs ago
Growing US nuclear power resurgence reaches the nation’s heartland
Watch 1:19
2 hrs ago
Beer from the sun, other solar thermal projects get government funding
Watch 2:04
2 hrs ago
Popular Opinions
In addition to the facts, we believe it’s vital to hear perspectives from all sides of the political spectrum.
Trump has an excellent opportunity with Black voters
8 hrs ago
Star Parker
Don’t fall for GOP’s cheap racist attacks on Kamala Harris
9 hrs ago
Dr. Rashad Richey
Americans must reject Trump to defend our democracy
Yesterday
Jordan Reid
Why all the changes in European parliamentary governments?
Wednesday
Newt Gingrich