Former Vice President Mike Pence’s political advocacy group, Advancing American Freedom, has released a legislative agenda to address the ongoing migrant crisis at the southern border. The agenda includes calling for a declaration of an “invasion” in response to the record numbers of migrants arriving at the border since 2021. The term “invasion” has been used by several Republican figures, including former President Donald Trump and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, to describe the severity of the crisis.
Pence’s group also calls for exploring a possible impeachment of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, who has faced criticism from House members. In response to such calls, DHS has urged Congress to pass legislation to fix the immigration system and provide funding requested by the Biden administration.
The agenda further supports ending “chain migration” and proposes reforms to temporary visa programs, like the H-1B visa program, which critics claim are used by companies to replace American workers with cheaper foreign nationals.
Additionally, the legislative package backs previously introduced bills, including the GOP House border security package and measures like Kate’s Law, ending the visa lottery, allowing victims of illegal immigrant crime to sue sanctuary cities, reinstating the Migrant Protection Protocols, and continuing border wall construction at the state level.
The release of this agenda reflects the ongoing significance of the border crisis as a top political issue and a focal point for the 2024 election. The Biden administration’s policies have been blamed by Republicans for the crisis, and calls have been made to reinstate measures implemented during Pence’s tenure as vice president.
Despite the Biden administration’s efforts to address the issue, the recent overturning of its asylum rule due to a left-wing legal challenge has raised concerns of a potential new surge of migrants at the border.