The Democratic Party made a notable departure from their traditional stance on immigration at their recent convention, signaling a tougher approach to the issue that has long been seen as a political vulnerability for the party. Vice President Kamala Harris, in accepting the Democratic presidential nomination, struck a delicate balance in her address, emphasizing the need for enforcement and security at the southern border while also maintaining the country's values.

Harris expressed confidence in reclaiming the nation's proud heritage as a land of immigrants and called for a comprehensive reform of the broken immigration system, including the creation of an earned pathway to citizenship and the securing of the border. This carefully crafted message aimed to find equilibrium between the demands for stricter border control and a humane treatment of individuals, and between upholding the law and rejecting fear-based rhetoric in the immigration discourse.

However, throughout the convention week, the Democratic Party's overall stance on immigration showcased a newfound hard-line approach not seen in decades. This shift reflects the acknowledgment of the issue's continued political vulnerability for both Vice President Harris and other Democratic candidates leading up to the November elections. Many voters now consider the challenges at the southern border a top concern, and a growing minority of Republicans and independents are seeking to curb pathways into the country.

At the convention, a prominent theme was the denunciation of former President Donald J. Trump and Republicans for sabotaging a bipartisan border security deal this year. There were limited or no condemnations of Trump's immigration policies, and little focus on reversing them. While calls for expanding legal pathways to citizenship were mentioned, the approximately 11 million undocumented immigrants living in the United States, as well as Dreamers, were absent from the discussions and panels.

The Democratic Party's approach to immigration was further downplayed by relegating the issue to lower priority in the party's platform. With fewer panels centered on immigration and limited attendance at sessions discussing comprehensive immigration reform, critics argue that the lack of contrast with the Trump administration's policies allows him to exploit voter dissatisfaction.

Andrea Flores, a former Biden administration official who moderated one of the sessions, expressed difficulty in differentiating between Trump and Democrats on border policies. She cautioned that this lack of contrast was enabling Trump to capitalize on growing support for mass deportations, ending asylum, and his overall immigration policies.

While Vice President Harris has yet to release her full immigration platform, her current approach mirrors that of President Joe Biden. As the bipartisan agreement in Congress fell apart, Biden took a tougher stance at the southern border while also promising pathways to citizenship for law-abiding undocumented immigrants who have long resided in the United States. This strategic balance aims to appeal to a wider range of voters.

Some Democrats and pollsters believe that this shift towards a stricter stance on immigration could benefit Vice President Harris, particularly in critical swing states like Arizona and Michigan where immigration has become a salient issue for many independent voters. Harris' background as a border state prosecutor is seen as an advantage that can resonate with voters.

As the election draws closer, other Democratic candidates for House and Senate races across the country are also adopting tougher positions on immigration, reflecting the party's recognition of the issue's importance. With 73 days remaining until the election, the Democratic Party continues to navigate their messaging on immigration in an effort to appeal to voters across the political spectrum.