The migration issue has largely established itself as a campaign theme for this November 5 election in the United States, both for the presidential election and for a certain number of local referendums devoted to it. If Donald Trump stood out for the radicality of his remarks – he notably declared that he wanted to carry out the largest national expulsion operation in American history even if it meant mobilizing the army – Kamala Harris also advocates firmness in welcoming populations of foreign origin.
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How do African immigrant communities in the United States approach the presidential election? The migration issue was at the heart of the campaign. According to a Gallup poll, six out of ten Americans, a majority, want a reduction in immigration and this is the first time in twenty years.
David Monda is a political science researcher at New York University. According to him, in this context, we should expect a toughening of policy in this area after the election. If Donald Trump prevails above all, but not only because “ the climate is overall very hostile to immigrants », he explains on the microphone of Florence Morice.
Kamala Harris also very firm
“ Much of the African immigrant community is terrified of living under the Trump administration. He threatens, if he wins, to go door to door and expel people… So of course, we wonder how that would even be possible… But the idea is simply terrifying. Under Trump, it would also become very difficult in general for people from sub-Saharan Africa to come to the United States.
But I must add, regarding Kamala Harristhat unfortunately the Democrats have also tended to move the cursor to the right on immigration. She made firm speeches about border management… Already under Biden, the current administration announced quotas, promising to close the southern border if the number of illegal crossings per day exceeded a certain threshold. And then, even in her rhetoric, Kamala Harris toughened her tone towards migrants. »
The Democratic candidate was in charge of the migration file as vice-president and, whatever the Republicans claim, she advocated a tough policy towards illegal migrantsx who had to be escorted back to the border.
Also readElections in the United States: Kamala Harris promises firmness during a trip to the border with Mexico
Trump’s racist remarks
But according to Kefa M. Otiso, professor of geography at Bowling Green State University, a specialist in international migration, the former president more largely contributed to racializing the debate in the country. To the point of arousing fears, including among African immigrants who have obtained citizenship. “ You know, Trump is also accused of making racist remarks… Take for example, the very degrading remarks he recently made towards people of Asian origin who often have dark skin… For many among us, it is a source of worry, of unease: we tell ourselves that as migrants – even if we have obtained citizenship – we can find ourselves victimized or targeted as a black person.
And then we don’t really know how Trump would concretely implement the measures he announces: nothing tells us that he would stick to the same policy as last time… We don’t know.. and when you are faced with someone who is unpredictable, and who has made degrading remarks towards people who look like you and well, whatever your status, even if you have obtained citizenship status, this generates. ‘apprehension. »
We remember the recent emotion provoked by the words of the candidate Trump in Springfield on migrants of Haitian origin, accused of eating pets or on Mexicans accused of being rapists and drug dealers.
Also readUnited States: Haitian community unites against racism following Trump’s remarks
For Mamadou Dramé, president of the Association of Senegalese in America, the main fear of the African diaspora in the United States remains immigration. “ We’re a little nervous! When I say we, it’s immigrants because of Donald Trump’s bellicose speech! That concerns us. As you know, there has been a decline in migration in the United States for a year and a half or two years (for) migrants from West Africa.
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It’s a little difficult to see our compatriots in a situation of anxiety. It affects everyone, whether we have papers or not. So we want Democratic candidate Kamala Harris to win the election. » If she wins, explains Mamadou Dramé on the microphone of Wally Diallo from the Africa editorial team, there will be political continuity and those who are engaged in an immigration process or request for asylum, “will have peace of mind to continue the immigration procedure. »
► Our file on the American elections
Under the campus courtyard, a dozen enthusiasts of the United States “make” the match between Kamala Harris and Donald Trump… And the Republican has his supporters… His outspokenness and his displayed success eclipse the reported contempt of the former American president towards African countries.
At the University of Abidjan, American Literature and Civilization students play the Kamala-Donald match