How growing up in the U.S. immigration system shapes how these young Americans vote

As Vice President Harris charts the course for a campaign that tries to avoid the missteps of her predecessor, President Biden, she may inherit some of his baggage with the groups she most needs to win over.

Voters under 30, for example, backed Biden in big numbers in 2020. But, as polling reflected, he has struggled with the group throughout his presidency.

Support from another major part of Biden’s winning coalition — voters of color — had also frayed in differing amounts for different reasons. One such group that has struggled with Biden’s policies are those who have experienced the U.S. immigration system.

Former President Donald Trump has made immigration the cornerstone of his platform, publicly disparaging and attacking immigrants since he first announced in 2015. He’s vowed to carry out historically large deportations, but how those pledges would be implemented is unclear. 

Republicans have repeatedly criticized Biden for upticks in border crossings during his presidency. But Biden’s immigration policy has been complicated. In June, the president restricted border crossings, including for people seeking asylum, via executive order. Weeks later, he took steps to increase relief for undocumented people and recipients of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program.

In February, the White House and congressional leaders also came close to agreeing on a bipartisan bill that would have increased restrictions on the border, but it failed after Trump urged Republicans to reverse course and oppose it.

Biden’s willingness to work with Republicans on the legislation alarmed immigrant advocates and organizers, including Nicole Melaku of the National Association of New Americans.

“It's going to be a really hard