Democrats Turn On Biden Over Border

With the 2026 midterm elections just days away, a growing number of Democratic candidates are publicly criticizing former President Joe Biden over his handling of the southern border, signaling a significant shift in the party’s approach to immigration.

Democrats competing in closely watched congressional races are distancing themselves from Biden’s border policies as they attempt to win over voters concerned about illegal immigration, national security, and federal immigration enforcement.

The change comes after years of Republicans making border security a central campaign issue, arguing that the Biden administration’s policies contributed to a surge in illegal crossings and placed additional pressure on American communities.

Now, some Democrats appear increasingly willing to acknowledge those concerns.

In Texas, Democratic Senate candidate James Talarico has made criticism of Biden a prominent part of his campaign against Republican Ken Paxton.

Talarico recently released a campaign advertisement highlighting his previous opposition to Biden’s handling of immigration.

“I called out Joe Biden for failing us on the border,” Talarico declared.

The Texas Democrat had previously criticized the former president in July while introducing his own border security proposals.

His comments reflect a broader effort among Democratic candidates to convince voters that they would pursue a different approach to immigration.

The criticism is not limited to Texas.

In Kansas, Democratic Senate candidate Adam Hamilton delivered a particularly sharp assessment of Biden’s immigration record during a debate with Republican Sen. Roger Marshall.

Hamilton described the situation at the southern border during Biden’s presidency as a disaster, arguing that the previous administration’s policies helped create the problems facing the country.

However, Hamilton also criticized President Donald Trump’s immigration enforcement efforts, suggesting that both administrations had made serious mistakes.

A similar message emerged in Pennsylvania, where Democratic congressional candidate Paige Cognetti is challenging Republican Rep. Rob Bresnahan.

During a recent debate, Cognetti acknowledged that the Biden administration had failed to adequately address border security.

She emphasized the importance of maintaining a secure border while also supporting legal opportunities for immigrants seeking citizenship.

In South Carolina, Democratic Senate candidate Annie Andrews also acknowledged problems with her party’s immigration record.

“Democrats have failed on the border,” Andrews stated during a debate.

The unusually direct criticism demonstrates how immigration has become a difficult political issue for Democratic candidates seeking support beyond their party’s traditional base.

In Iowa, Democratic Senate candidate Josh Turek has taken a different approach by emphasizing his willingness to cooperate with Republicans on border security.

Turek traveled to Laredo, Texas, to film a campaign advertisement highlighting the importance of protecting the southern border.

He also pointed to his support for legislation allowing law enforcement authorities to arrest and deport criminals.

In another advertisement, Turek expressed his willingness to work with President Trump on immigration reform and border security.

Meanwhile, Democratic congressional candidate Johnny Garcia, who is running in Texas’ 35th Congressional District, has also criticized Biden’s border policies.

Garcia acknowledged the failures of the previous administration while expressing concerns about certain immigration enforcement operations under Trump.

His comments illustrate the balancing act facing Democrats who want to demonstrate support for border security without fully embracing the president’s immigration agenda.

Political analysts believe the shift is largely driven by concerns about voter dissatisfaction with Biden-era immigration policies.

Democratic pollster Celinda Lake has suggested that candidates are making a politically sensible decision by separating themselves from the former president’s record.

Immigration played a major role in Trump’s successful 2024 presidential campaign, when Republicans repeatedly highlighted the rise in illegal border crossings under Biden.

Since returning to the White House, Trump has made immigration enforcement a central priority, pursuing stricter border controls and expanded deportation operations.

While those efforts have drawn criticism over enforcement tactics, border security remains one of the president’s comparatively stronger issues in national polling.

For Democratic candidates, the challenge is finding a message that acknowledges voters’ concerns about immigration while offering an alternative to Republican policies.

The political implications could extend well beyond individual congressional races.

With control of Congress at stake in the November 3 midterm elections, immigration could influence voters in several competitive states and districts.

Republicans are expected to continue highlighting the Biden administration’s border record, while Democrats are increasingly attempting to separate themselves from those policies.

The change also raises questions about the Democratic Party’s future direction on immigration.

After years of defending or downplaying criticism of Biden’s border strategy, some candidates are now openly acknowledging that the former president’s approach fell short.

Whether voters view those statements as genuine policy changes or election-season political positioning remains to be seen.

One thing is increasingly clear: Biden’s border record has become a political liability that some Democrats are no longer willing to defend, even as they continue to challenge Trump’s approach to immigration enforcement.