Would Ronald Reagan Support Donald Trump's Mexican Border Wall?

The year was 1987, and President Ronald Reagan famously declared, "Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall." Fast forward to 2019, when President Donald Trump proposed building a border wall with Mexico. The idea of a border wall, once championed by Reagan, now seems outdated and even controversial. To understand whether Reagan would have supported Trump's wall, we need to delve into his policies and motivations.

Reagan and Border Security

Reagan was unequivocally a proponent of secure borders. He understood the importance of controlling who entered the country but, as many have noted, the concept of a border wall is not inherently synonymous with secure borders. Reagan's approach was more nuanced, focusing on legal and ethical considerations.

Trump’s Border Wall Proposition

Fast forward to 2019, President Donald Trump proposed building a 450-mile wall along the southern border with Mexico. However, just two weeks prior, 7,000 people were stopped by the existing wall. This raises questions about the necessity and effectiveness of a border wall.

Trump agreed to legalize existing illegal immigrants as part of a deal to secure border controls. This move was a strategic compromise, aimed at addressing one issue while putting off another. However, Reagan made it clear that he would prioritize border security without the give of immediate legalization.

Reagan's View on Immigrants and Border Security

Reagan believed in secure borders but was less inclined to label immigrants as criminals or enemies. He was known for his fiery speeches against the Soviet Union, famously tearing down the Berlin Wall. However, when it came to undocumented immigrants, he advocated for more humane and practical approaches.

While Reagan supported the idea of securing the border, he would likely have been opposed to the massive property seizures required to build a wall through eminent domain. His approach was rooted in principles that valued individual rights and property. This fundamental difference sets him apart from Trump's restrictive and often authoritarian approach.

Understanding Reagan's Pragmatism

Reagan's pragmatism and his desire for comprehensive solutions led him to focus on lawful measures to secure immigration. He believed that the issue was complex and required a multifaceted approach, including enhanced border patrol, increased legal immigration channels, and addressing the root causes of illegal immigration.

Given these principles, it is unlikely that Reagan would have favored the extreme and divisive measure of a border wall. Instead, he would have likely advocated for more diplomatic and humane solutions to the issue of immigration.

Reagan in Modern Context

If Reagan were to serve as the current president, it is reasonable to believe that he would not be advocating for the border wall. As a skilled politician, Reagan was adept at using public sentiment to his advantage, but he would likely have taken a more balanced and less confrontational approach to immigration.

Concluding Thoughts

To sum up, while Reagan and Trump may have shared some concerns about illegal immigration, their approaches and ideologies were fundamentally different. Reagan's emphasis on secure but humane borders, pragmatism, and negotiation would make it unlikely that he would have supported the kind of extreme measures being proposed by Trump.

However, it is crucial to recognize that this analysis is based on Reagan's stated principles and historical conduct. We cannot assume his exact thoughts on a hypothetical situation. Nonetheless, his legacy and principles suggest a more balanced and pragmatic approach to immigration issues.