Kerry Critiques Democrats on Immigration: "Trump Was Right"

Sun Sep 14 2025 03:03:49 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

Former Secretary of State John Kerry voices concerns over Democrats' handling of immigration policies, admitting mistakes that allowed Trump to gain political leverage.

In a recent BBC interview, John Kerry criticized his party's approach to immigration, stating that Democrats have allowed the US-Mexico border situation to deteriorate under Biden's administration. He emphasized the need for stronger border protection and acknowledged that Trump's positions on immigration had merit. As immigration enforcement intensifies under the current administration, Democrats face increasing scrutiny over their policies.

Former US Secretary of State John Kerry has recently taken the Democratic Party to task over its immigration policies, claiming that they have allowed the US-Mexico border to be "under siege" throughout President Joe Biden's term. Speaking with BBC special correspondent James Naughtie, Kerry noted that the Democratic Party has "missed" crucial opportunities regarding immigration issues, allowing Republicans, particularly Donald Trump, to gain a political edge.

Kerry's remarks reflect ongoing tensions within the Democratic Party about the effectiveness of their pro-immigration stance in recent elections. He pointed out the importance of assertive messaging from leadership, stating, "The first thing any president should say - or anybody in public life - is without a border protected, you don't have a nation." He lamented that he wished Biden would emphasize law enforcement more often.

In the current political landscape, Trump's rhetoric around border control has become a central theme for the Republican Party, described in their upcoming policy platform. Traditionally, Democrats have sought to position themselves as more humane in immigration matters, advocating for pathways to citizenship for undocumented individuals, while branding Trump's tactics as overly harsh. However, Kerry acknowledged a significant oversight: "Trump was right," he said, continuing, "the problem is we all should have been right."

Data from Trump's second term shows a significant decrease in illegal crossings at the border, despite the downward trend starting during Biden's presidency after tightening asylum regulations. Meanwhile, Trump's administration is concentrating efforts on the detention of undocumented migrants across the country, leading to backlash in cities like Los Angeles, which witnessed federal actions described by Mayor Karen Bass as a "military operation" targeting immigrant communities.

In response, Los Angeles and several California cities have initiated a lawsuit against the Trump administration, branding the immigration actions as unlawful. The California Attorney General, Rob Bonta, condemned what he characterized as a "pattern of attacks on our immigrant communities," signaling a renewed political battle reminiscent of the emotional confrontations during Trump's initial term.

Despite experiencing some decline in public opinion on immigration issues, the Trump administration continues to seek validation for their policies. In response to Democratic calls for stricter regulations regarding immigration enforcement officers, Trump criticized the party, stating, "They have lost their confidence and become somewhat deranged."

As prominent Democrats like Kerry articulate their concerns, it remains to be seen how the party will redefine its immigration narrative in the face of increasing Republican aggression and public scrutiny. The conversation on immigration is set to remain a pivotal issue in American politics, especially as the 2024 elections approach.