Iowans Running for Congress Discuss Immigration and the Border

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In early October, Republican Governor Kim Reynolds welcomed Texas Governor Greg Abbott as a special guest at her annual Harvest Festival fundraiser.

“Let’s give a warm Iowa welcome to a really good friend, an outstanding governor of Texas, Greg Abbott,” Reynolds announced as Abbott took the stage to applause and country music.

Reynolds invited Abbott to share his insights on what she described as the crisis at the southern border. Abbott highlighted his ongoing efforts to reduce illegal crossings into Texas.

“It’s no exaggeration to say that the future of the United States of America, on this one issue alone, is in peril,” he stated.

Reynolds, while not running for reelection this year, used the event to underscore immigration policy as a critical issue for Republican candidates in upcoming elections. She criticized the Biden administration’s policies, asserting they affect not only border states but all states. Citing statistics from the Iowa Department of Public Safety, she noted, “Fentanyl-laced counterfeit painkillers seizures are up by more than 2,400% this year compared to 2020. Every single state is a border state.”

This sentiment was echoed by Republican Congressional candidates such as 3rd District Rep. Zach Nunn and 2nd District Rep. Ashley Hinson. Nunn remarked, “Every county now has sadly become a border county,” while Hinson stated, “Every community is a border community right now.”

Immigration and border security have emerged as central topics in the current election cycle. A recent poll revealed that 60% of likely Iowa voters consider securing the U.S.-Mexico border crucial. While both Iowa Republicans and Democrats emphasize the need to address illegal crossings and fentanyl trafficking, they approach the issues differently.

Republican candidates for the U.S. House have framed unauthorized immigrants as a threat and advocated for strict measures to reduce crime and fentanyl overdoses, often claiming the country faces an “open border.” Nunn asserted, “Eight million illegals coming into our country is a direct threat to our nation.”

However, these claims sometimes misrepresent the facts. U.S. Customs and Border Protection reported over 8 million encounters at the southern border during the Biden administration, including many people who were swiftly deported. Although illegal crossings surged to a record high last December, they have significantly decreased recently, attributed to new asylum restrictions and Mexico’s enhanced border enforcement.

Research indicates that immigrants are less likely to commit crimes compared to U.S. citizens. Fentanyl, while a significant factor in rising overdose deaths, primarily enters the U.S. through legal ports of entry, often via vehicles driven by American citizens.

Democrats Focus on Bipartisan Solutions
Democratic candidates in Iowa have also addressed voters’ concerns about the border, but with a different focus. They emphasize the failures of their Republican counterparts to act effectively.

Christina Bohannan, a Democrat running in Iowa’s 1st Congressional District, criticized the Biden administration for not acting sooner on illegal border crossings. She pointed out that Republicans had previously supported a bipartisan border security plan but chose to politicize the issue instead.

“They wanted to keep using it as a campaign issue. If that is not the best example of putting party over country, I don’t know what is,” Bohannan said.

Among the Democratic candidates, three have expressed support for the bipartisan plan. Lanon Baccam, a 3rd District candidate, emphasized that the plan aimed to increase border patrol agents and technology to identify drugs like fentanyl. He criticized Nunn for not taking action on the plan.

Nunn and 1st District Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks did not have the opportunity to vote on the bipartisan bill, which was derailed by pressure from former President Donald Trump.

While Iowa Republicans have backed a separate border security bill, it lacked bipartisan support and failed to advance in the Senate.

Political Rhetoric and Shared Goals
Despite the heated rhetoric surrounding immigration, both parties are increasingly aligning on certain policies. The bipartisan plan supported by Iowa Democrats would have effectively ended the policy allowing asylum seekers to reside in the U.S. during their lengthy wait for a decision.

Both parties agree on the need for increased law enforcement resources at the border. However, Republicans are also advocating for building more border wall sections, requiring asylum seekers to remain in Mexico during hearings, and ramping up deportations for those with criminal records.

A recent Midwest Newsroom survey revealed that 42% of Iowa voters view immigration negatively, while 32% see it positively.

Advocates Call for Immigrant Voices
Advocates for immigrants and refugees argue that the narrative around immigration often overlooks the humanity of immigrants. Ruxandra Marcu, director of Refugee and Immigrant Voices in Action, highlighted the need for solutions that include the perspectives of those who have experienced migration.

Marcu noted that immigrant communities contribute significantly to Iowa’s economy, particularly in healthcare and agriculture, and enhance the state’s cultural landscape.

After the election, it remains uncertain if bipartisan agreement on immigration policies will be achieved, as the last meaningful reform occurred over two decades ago.

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