Immigration: Enforcing the Law and Fixing a Broken System
A nation without borders is not a nation.
During former President Biden’s term, an estimated 15 million people entered the United States illegally. This is lawlessness—and it comes at a real cost. Illegal immigration strains public resources, undercuts American workers, overwhelms local communities, and fuels a humanitarian crisis at our border.
An unsecured border and unenforced immigration laws create dangerous incentives. A porous border increases violence, drug trafficking, and human trafficking, while encouraging desperate people to take life-threatening risks. Mass illegal immigration is not good for immigrants—and it is not good for America.
Enforcing the Law Starts with Criminal Deportation
Public safety must come first.
Criminals who are in the United States illegally—especially violent offenders—must be deported. Allowing criminal aliens to remain in our communities is dangerous and unjust.
Local governments must comply with federal law to remove criminal aliens. Sanctuary policies that obstruct enforcement are not compassionate—they are lawless, and they put innocent people at risk.
Deportation Alone Is Not a Strategy
At the same time, endless arguments about deportation alone are a failed strategy.
It is not realistic—or honest—to claim we can deport every person here illegally. A deportation-only approach simply returns us to a broken system with the same results. Enforcement without reform guarantees continued chaos.
Deportation is not a substitute for legislative reform.
Legal Immigration Strengthens America
America is a nation of laws—and a nation of opportunity.
My father-in-law came to this country from Cuba as a child, speaking only Spanish, in search of freedom. He was educated here, joined the U.S. Air Force, served the nation he loved, married another service member, and raised a family. That is the American Dream—and it is one of America’s greatest strengths.
Hardworking, freedom-seeking people who want to contribute to our country should have an attainable path to legal residency.
To be clear: reform does not mean federal entitlements or voting rights for non-citizens. It means lawful, controlled, and purposeful immigration that serves the national interest.
Fixing a Broken Legal System
Our legal immigration system is inefficient and outdated.
The current lottery-based system can take 18–24 months to deliver a work visa—for a very small number of winners. That is not aligned with economic reality.
Congress should:
- Move toward a dynamic, skill-based immigration system aligned with workforce needs
- Streamline legal pathways for industries facing labor shortages
- Partner with major employers through simplified sponsorship programs
- Allow temporary, role-specific workers in sectors like agriculture, caregiving, and construction
A legal system that works reduces illegal immigration—and strengthens our economy.
A Practical, Lawful Path Forward
Nearly everyone agrees on two basic truths:
- We cannot allow millions to enter illegally while others wait in line.
- Our economy depends on immigrant labor.
What we lack is leadership willing to enforce the law and fix the system.
Where I Stand
Illegal immigration on the scale allowed in recent years is lawless and reckless. It harms both Americans and immigrants, strains public resources, fuels crime and trafficking, and undermines those who follow the legal process.
Criminals who are here illegally must be deported. But deportation alone is not a solution. Most immigrants are not criminals. Hardworking, freedom-seeking people strengthen our economy.
By enforcing the law, securing the border, and reforming legal immigration in a smart and controlled way, we can restore order, fairness, and humanity to our immigration system.