When Bill Clinton Ran Against Immigration

When Bill Clinton Ran Against Immigration

The issue of immigration has polarized American politics since the 19th century. Today, the growth of the Latino population has made opposing immigration a dicey proposition. But at many points in history that has not been the case. As little as twenty years ago, President Bill Clinton ran on being tough on immigration—not welcoming.

Bill Clinton Tacked Right On Immigration To Save His Re-Election

The danger of a liberal position on immigration was made clear in 1994 when 59 percent California voters approved Proposition 187, banning public services for undocumented immigrants. Clinton had won California in 1992, but he was on the losing side of the 187 battle.

Clinton pivoted in his 1996 re-election campaign. In the political ad “Signed,” Clinton touted his border security record, “President Clinton doubled border agents … Signed a tough anti-illegal immigration law protecting US workers. 160,000 illegal immigrants and criminals deported, a record.” Worried about losing California, Clinton’s media consultants made sure to mention how many new border agents the state got.

2016 Won’t Be Like 1996 For Hillary Clinton

Unlike today, when we see President Obama couple a border security message with moves to provide deportation relief to undocumented immigrants without criminal record, Clinton deemed it necessary to only emphasize a law-and-order stance. (Clinton’s opponent, Bob Dole, accused the incumbent of lying about his border security record.)

Much has changed since that election. Proposition 187 was struck down by the federal courts and never implemented. The percentage of Latino voters in California has doubled, not only making the vote-rich state a Democratic stronghold, but making anti-immigrant politics an electoral loser. You won’t see Hillary Clinton running a political ad like “Signed” in 2016.