Hillary Clinton Says Migration Needs Fixing with Safe Borders

Hillary Clinton recently said that migration flows have been too much and are causing problems. She believes this issue needs to be solved by having safe borders, but also in a kind way to people. She spoke about this at the Munich Security Conference.
By Newsroom | Politics, World Affairs |

Former U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has recently spoken about migration, indicating a change in her public stance. At the Munich Security Conference, she described current migration flows as "disruptive and destabilizing" and stated that they "went too far." She also stressed the need for these issues to be "fixed in a humane way with secure borders." These comments have drawn significant attention, especially considering her past positions on immigration reform.

Context of Clinton's Remarks

Hillary Clinton's recent statements were made during a panel at the Munich Security Conference. This conference gathers global leaders and security experts to discuss international challenges. The theme of this year's conference, as noted by JFeed, included discussions on transatlantic relations and global threats, with migration identified as a factor influencing populist movements.

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  • Clinton's remarks at the conference described unchecked migration as a threat to Western stability.

  • She stated, "It's been disruptive and destabilizing, and it needs to be fixed in a humane way with secure borders that don't torture and kill people."

  • These comments quickly gained traction on social media, according to JFeed and Fox 24 WTAT.

  • Fox 24 WTAT noted her words suggest a possible shift in her stance on immigration.

  • UMVA.net characterized her comments as a "notable evolution in her thinking on a deeply divisive issue."

Past Stances and Evolving Views

Clinton's current remarks appear to diverge from some of her earlier public positions on immigration.

  • 2018 Comments: In 2018, Clinton advised European nations to "get a handle" on immigration to counter the rise of right-wing populists. Politico reported these remarks, where she suggested immigration concerns contributed to Brexit and her own election loss. At the time, these comments faced backlash from progressive groups.

  • 2018 TRT World Critique: An article from TRT World in November 2018 strongly criticized Clinton's stance from that period, arguing that curbing immigration could not halt racism and calling her position "cowardly."

  • "Hillary for America" Policy: A policy page on Hillary Clinton's official website, linked by Bing as part of "Immigration reform - The Office of Hillary Rodham Clinton," outlines her proposed immigration reforms.

  • This proposal included introducing "comprehensive immigration reform with a pathway to full and equal citizenship."

  • It also advocated for ending "family detention and close private immigration detention centers."

  • UMVA.net's summary of Clinton's past approach indicated a focus on "protecting vulnerable populations and reforming existing immigration policies," prioritizing the deportation of violent criminals and scaling back broader raids.

Reception and Interpretation

The recent statements have generated varied interpretations and discussions.

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  • Shift to Pragmatism: UMVA.net suggests Clinton's recent comments show "a newfound pragmatism" and a shift in her thinking.

  • Critique of "Excessive Inflows": JFeed highlights Clinton's critique of "excessive and destabilizing inflows of migrants," framing it as a necessary discussion for European leaders.

  • Debate on "Humane Way": While calling for secure borders, Clinton also emphasized fixing the issue in a "humane way," a point acknowledged by JFeed and Fox 24 WTAT.

  • Concerns about Populism: Her past linkage of migration issues to the rise of populism, as reported by Politico in 2018, seems to resurface in the context of current discussions.

Expert and Media Commentary

Media outlets and commentators have analyzed Clinton's remarks, noting the potential implications of her evolving perspective.

"There's a legitimate reason to have a debate about things like migration. It's been disruptive and destabilizing, and it needs to be fixed in a humane way with secure borders that don't torture and kill people." - Hillary Clinton, as quoted by JFeed.

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  • JFeed notes that Clinton's past comments in 2018 advising European nations to "get a handle" on immigration had sparked backlash from progressive circles.

  • TRT World's 2018 article argued that Clinton's views on curbing immigration were misguided, stating, "She's dead wrong." The article contended that European nationalists would not be satisfied with a mere halt to immigration.

Findings and Implications

Hillary Clinton's recent statements at the Munich Security Conference represent a notable public articulation of concerns regarding the current state of migration. Describing migration flows as "disruptive and destabilizing" and asserting they have "gone too far" signals a pragmatic approach that prioritizes border security alongside humane treatment.

  • Evolution of Stance: These comments appear to represent an evolution from her previous policy proposals, such as those outlined on the "Hillary for America" website, which emphasized comprehensive reform and pathways to citizenship.

  • Context of Global Challenges: The remarks are situated within ongoing international debates about migration's impact on political stability and the rise of populism, as discussed at the Munich Security Conference.

  • Call for Balanced Approach: Clinton's insistence on fixing the issue "in a humane way with secure borders" suggests a call for a balanced policy that addresses security concerns without resorting to inhumane practices.

  • Past Criticism: It is worth noting that similar sentiments expressed in 2018 drew criticism from various political factions, indicating that this current framing may also face scrutiny.

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The implications of these statements suggest a potential recalibration of political discourse around migration, emphasizing control and stability while maintaining a commitment to humane principles. Further clarification or elaboration from Clinton on how these seemingly differing aspects of her position can be reconciled would provide deeper insight into her current policy framework.

Sources Used

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What did Hillary Clinton say about migration?
She said that migration has gone too far and is causing problems. She thinks it needs to be fixed in a kind way and with safe borders.
Q: Where did she say this?
She said these things at the Munich Security Conference, where world leaders meet.
Q: Does this change her past ideas?
Some people think it might. In the past, she talked more about helping people who move and fixing laws. Now, she is also talking a lot about making borders safe.
Q: What does she mean by 'humane way'?
She said that fixing migration should be done kindly and should not hurt or kill people, while still having safe borders.