How the border could cost Biden the election
To keep Trump out of power, the Democrats need to make an offer on immigration policy
![](https://www.economist.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=1424,quality=80,format=auto/content-assets/images/20240127_LDD001.jpg)
DONALD TRUMP’S mother came from Tong (population 500), a remote Scottish settlement that was once in Viking territory. His grandfather came from Kallstadt (population 1,200), a village in Rhineland-Palatinate that produced the Heinz family. Joe Biden’s ancestors came from Ireland and England. In America everyone is from somewhere else—even Native Americans, though they have been there much longer than anyone. Such is the country’s appeal that 160m adults around the world say they would move there, too, if only they had the chance. That is many millions more than most Americans are willing to allow in.
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This article appeared in the Leaders section of the print edition under the headline “The border, Biden and the election”
Leaders January 27th 2024
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