Rep. Susan Wild from Pennsylvania has shifted her views on immigration, calling for stricter border security in a recent op-ed. This change comes as immigration has surged under the Biden administration, with nearly 7.3 million illegal immigrants entering the country between Biden’s first day in office and February. Wild’s shift in stance marks a departure from her previous dismissal of the border wall as “silly” back in 2018, when President Trump was in office. She represents Pennsylvania’s 7th District in Lehigh Valley, which includes cities such as Allentown and Bethlehem, and is considered a vulnerable Democrat in the upcoming election.
Wild’s op-ed focuses on the need to address the crisis at the Southern border, blaming “extreme politicians” for hindering efforts to secure the border and implement a comprehensive immigration plan. She highlights the importance of bipartisan cooperation in addressing border security and immigration challenges. Wild also promotes a piece of legislation she co-sponsored called The Dignity Act, which aims to increase border patrol personnel, change the political asylum system, require employers to verify immigration status, and create a pathway to citizenship for Dreamers.
Despite her previous rhetoric on border security, Wild has consistently advocated for the need to secure the Southern border, according to her congressional office. She recently voted in favor of sending nearly $20 billion to Customs and Border Protection and has called for House Republican leadership to take up a bipartisan border deal crafted by both parties in the Senate. In a break with her party, Wild voted in favor of the Laken Riley Act, which aims to require ICE officials to issue detainers and take custody of illegal migrants who commit certain crimes.
Pennsylvania is expected to be a key battleground state in the upcoming elections, with former President Trump and President Biden anticipated to face a rematch. A recent poll from the New York Times found Trump leading in several battleground states, including Pennsylvania. Wild will be facing off against Republican state Rep. Ryan Mackenzie, who has criticized Biden and Wild for their handling of border security and immigration issues. This election will be crucial for Wild as she seeks to retain her seat in a district where immigration, inflation, and the economy are top concerns for voters.
Wild’s shift in stance on immigration reflects the changing dynamics within the Democratic party and the broader political landscape in Pennsylvania. As a vulnerable Democrat in a key battleground state, Wild is facing challenges from both Republicans and within her own party. Her efforts to address border security and immigration issues may be seen as an attempt to appeal to a broader constituency in a state where these issues are of significant concern to voters. The upcoming election will be a critical test for Wild as she seeks to retain her seat and navigate the complex political landscape in Pennsylvania.
