Most of Donald Trump's rivals have gone to great pains to avoid directly criticizing the former president out of concern that it would alienate base Republican voters.

Immigration has become one of the cornerstone issues of the 2024 campaign as GOP presidential hopefuls try to stand out as the toughest on both illegal and legal immigration.

As four candidates hotly debated issues ranging from foreign policy to gender identity to immigration, it's clear Nikki Haley is seen as a threat and Trump still looms large even when he's not there.

The second Republican debate wrapped up with seven candidates attempting to break away from the front-runner, former President Donald Trump, who was in Michigan instead of attending.