Talarico vs. AOC: Have Democrats learned to back strong borders?

The article argues that Democrats face an early test over whether they will support tighter border enforcement after the 2024 election. It contrasts newly elected Democrats who have criticised Joe Biden’s border record with progressive lawmakers who favour broader immigration rights or abolishing federal enforcement agencies.

A third migrant caravan since September is forming in Mexico, and the White House says it will not be allowed into the United States. The article points to Texas Senator-elect James Talarico and Iowa Senator-elect Josh Turek as Democrats who have called for stronger enforcement, while citing Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and others as opponents of that approach. It presents the party’s response as a test of whether it can regain public trust.