Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton acknowledged that immigration policies have gone too far and become destabilizing, marking a notable shift from her previous positions during a panel discussion in Germany.

Strong Words at Munich Conference

Speaking at the Munich Security Conference during a panel titled “The West-West Divide: What Remains of Common Values,” Clinton delivered unusually direct criticism of current migration trends. She stated that immigration “went too far; it’s been disruptive and destabilizing, and it needs to be fixed in a humane way with secure borders.” The former presidential candidate emphasized the need for solutions that don’t torture or kill people while maintaining strong family structures as the foundation of civilization.

Clinton’s current stance represents a departure from her 2016 campaign positions. During her presidential run, she opposed large-scale border wall expansion while supporting then-President Obama’s executive actions protecting millions of children and parents in the country illegally. She advocated for ending family detention practices and scaling back immigration raids, which she claimed created unnecessary community disruption.

Evolution of Immigration Views

The former First Lady’s immigration positions have shifted considerably over recent years. In 2018, she sharply criticized Trump administration deportation policies, writing on social media that separating children from families was an “absolute disgrace.” Just last year at the Newmark Civic Life Series in Manhattan, Clinton praised immigrants for strengthening America’s economy through workforce participation and larger families compared to American standards.

Political Implications

Clinton’s acknowledgment that immigration policies need fixing aligns more closely with conservative concerns about border security and immigration control. Her comments suggest recognition that previous approaches may have been insufficient. While she maintains support for humane treatment of migrants, her admission that current policies are “disruptive and destabilizing” could influence Democratic Party messaging on immigration issues moving forward. This shift comes as immigration remains a top concern for American voters across party lines.