Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) has called for “dramatic” steps to combat the ongoing border crisis, including mass deportations of illegal immigrants, in a recent interview on NBC’s “Meet the Press.”
Rubio’s remarks come amid growing concerns over the influx of illegal immigrants and asylum seekers into the United States, prompting House Republicans to introduce the “Reshape Alternatives to Detention Act of 2024.”
During the interview, host Kristen Welker questioned Rubio about his stance on former President Donald Trump’s proposal to create detention camps for undocumented immigrants and deport over 11 million individuals. Rubio responded by highlighting the outdated nature of the 11 million figure, estimating the current number of illegal immigrants to be much higher, possibly reaching 25 to 30 million.
“We cannot absorb 25, 30 million people who entered this country illegally,” Rubio asserted. “They are here illegally. What country on Earth would tolerate that? We don’t even know who most of these people are.”
Kristen Welker tries to peddle misinformation on the border crisis and Sen. Marco Rubio corrects her several times during a heated exchange.
Rubio also confirms he supports Trump's plans for mass deportation.
"This is not immigration. You asked me about immigration. This is… pic.twitter.com/OeSiMmOwbB
— Julia 🇺🇸 (@Jules31415) May 20, 2024
Addressing concerns raised about Trump’s mass deportation plan in 2016, Rubio emphasized the evolving nature of the immigration issue, citing the influx of individuals from various backgrounds, including potential terrorists and criminals.
“This is not immigration. This is mass migration. Mass migration. This is an invasion of the country, and it needs to be dealt with dramatically,” Rubio asserted.
Rubio’s comments coincide with legislative efforts by Rep. Byron Donalds (R-FL) to overhaul the Alternatives to Detention (ATD) program, aimed at increasing detention capacity and strengthening immigration enforcement measures.
Sen. Bill Hagerty (R-TN), a proponent of the bill, criticized the Biden administration for its lax approach to immigration enforcement, accusing the Department of Homeland Security of allowing illegal immigrants to roam free throughout the U.S. by exploiting ATD programs.
As debates over immigration policy continue, Rubio remains a vocal advocate for “dramatic” measures to address illegal immigration and protect national security interests.
In fact, Rubio has a long history of speaking out against illegal immigration, including on the Senate floor, where he declared in February 2024: “I want to say this with as much respect as I can, but there’s nobody in the Senate that can lecture me on immigration. I’ve lived it my whole life. This is not immigration. 3.3 million people released into the country, 5,000 to 10,000 people a day illegally arriving in the country, that’s not immigration. Immigration is a good thing. Mass migration is a bad thing.”
He was also a strong opponent of President Joe Biden’s disastrous border deal with establishment Republicans and Democrats, which would have effectively codified Biden’s open border policies by allowing thousands of illegal aliens to enter the country per day before the federal government could even consider closing the border, though they were not even required to do so according to the text of the bill. Rubio has noted that it is highly unlikely that a change in the law would make any difference in the Biden administration’s actions at the border.
Senator @marcorubio gives CNN a schooling on how the #InvasionBill was a bill to give illegal immigrants citizenship in 5 years
Tapper tries to shut him down & Marco was having none of it, so he set him straight. #StoptheInvasion #SecureTheBorder
pic.twitter.com/02wEjkiLwo— Amy Kremer (@AmyKremer) February 11, 2024
Rubio pointed out that Biden clearly does not care much about border security, as he “isn’t asking for money to build a wall, enforce existing laws or deport illegal immigrants. Instead, the president’s longstanding plea is for funds to speed up the processing of those immigrants into the U.S.”
“If President Biden were serious, he would reinstate Trump-era policies, then ask Congress for additional authority,” he also stated. “Unfortunately, President Biden gives no indication of being serious, and there is no reason to think that will change if Congress passes another law.”
