Border Security and Immigration

Mike is the grandson of Mexican immigrants on his mother’s side. Having not graduated high school themselves, his grandparents sent all five of their daughters to college. At age 50, his grandfather, Rosendo Bringas, became an American citizen, and it was among the proudest days of his life.

Mike wants to preserve the values and aspirations of so many immigrants like his grandparents, who dream of the uniquely American opportunity for self-improvement. Mike believes that immigrants should be treated with dignity and respect.

That is the opposite of what is happening under President Trump and ICE – and Mike is standing up against them, and FOR American values. Instead of dignity and respect, the Trump Administration has resorted to fear, chaos, and in several cases, violence. The disturbing footage of the killings of citizens in Minnesota at the hands of ICE has shocked the people of our nation, including Democrats, Republicans, and independents.

Because we are witnessing power being used without restraint, and without accountability. The Trump Administration is violating Constitutional rights and is destroying trust in communities of all kinds.

There must be an independent investigation of the killings of Alex Pretti and Renee Good. And Congress must intensify its oversight immediately. Mike insists that accountability is not optional in a democracy, regardless of whether your party happens to be in power.

That’s why Mike has voted against funding ICE without guardrails to rein in its reckless behavior, repeatedly called out the Administration’s actions that violate the Constitution – and continues to work to help immigrants find a legal pathway to citizenship.

Mike believes in secure borders, and that violent criminals should be deported. That is not the Trump Administration’s focus. According to records from the Department of Homeland Security, less than 14% of ICE arrests involved those accused or convicted of violent crimes during the year since Trump returned to the White House, and after the ICE budget tripled to $30 billion.

Mike believes enforcement matters. But enforcement only works when it is grounded in law, integrity, and public trust. And it must always be paired with humanity.

At the same time, Mike believes we have real problems at the southern border and a broken immigration system that demands Democrats and Republicans work together in good faith to deliver solutions. 

That’s why Mike is a cosponsor of H.R. 4393, commonly referred to as the DIGNITY Act, which is the most promising bipartisan, comprehensive immigration and border legislation in recent memory. It would address border security challenges, provide a solution for undocumented immigration, and strengthen our workforce. The bill affirms that we must treat those coming to the United States looking for better opportunities with dignity and respect. 

Ultimately, Mike believes that members of both parties need to come together on comprehensive immigration reform, including stronger border security policies, asylum process reforms, and an earned path to citizenship.