Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) has underscored the need for decisive action to address the escalating border crisis, advocating for mass deportations of illegal immigrants during a recent interview on NBC’s “Meet the Press.”
Rubio’s comments come amid mounting concerns over the influx of illegal immigrants and asylum seekers into the United States, prompting House Republicans to introduce legislation aimed at overhauling the Alternatives to Detention (ATD) program.
In response to questions about his stance on immigration, Rubio emphasized the urgency of addressing the issue, citing estimates of up to 30 million illegal immigrants currently residing in the country.
“We cannot absorb 25, 30 million people who entered this country illegally,” Rubio asserted. “This is mass migration. This is an invasion of the country, and it needs to be dealt with dramatically.”
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
Rubio’s call for mass deportations reflects growing frustration among Republicans over the Biden administration’s handling of immigration enforcement, with Sen. Bill Hagerty (R-TN) accusing the Department of Homeland Security of failing to enforce existing laws and allowing illegal immigrants to roam free throughout the U.S.
As lawmakers grapple with the complexities of immigration policy, Rubio remains a vocal advocate for “dramatic” measures to secure the nation’s borders and protect American interests in the face of unprecedented challenges.
Rubio has long been 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 staunch 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.”
