Wilmington, Ohio — Bernie Moreno, a Colombian immigrant who arrived in the U.S. at age 5, is now running as the Ohio GOP Senate nominee. Moreno advocates for legal immigrants to learn English and suggests that newcomers should be ineligible for government benefits for their first 10 years in the country.
Why it matters: This fall’s priciest congressional race features an immigrant candidate who could potentially secure a Senate majority for the GOP, while also advancing stricter immigration policies.
Moreno’s opponent is Senator Sherrod Brown, the last Democrat elected statewide in Ohio. Brown, who chairs the Banking Committee, currently leads Moreno by 5 points in the RealClearPolitics average of polls. Brown’s campaign focuses on addressing voter concerns about border security and drug trafficking, issues that may influence which party controls the Senate in 2025.
Zoom in: Moreno emphasized his position on immigration during an exclusive interview with Axios last week. “We’re not going to give you the citizenship test in any other language but English,” he said.
Immigration has been a focal point of Moreno’s campaign. During a week-long bus tour, Axios followed him as he spoke at various campaign stops. In Wilmington, about 50 miles northwest of Cincinnati, Moreno told supporters, “They learn the language, like I did. They assimilate, like I did. They understand the culture, like I did.” He added, “And when they’re ready, they raise their hand and swear allegiance to the United States of America, like I did when I was 18 years old.”
Zoom out: Moreno proposes banning asylum seekers who enter the U.S. illegally or fail to apply for protection in countries they pass through. He also wants to require migrants to remain outside the U.S. while their asylum cases are processed. Additionally, he aims to complete the border wall initiated under former President Trump and seeks Mexico’s cooperation to combat drug cartels with U.S. military assistance.
Between the lines: Earlier this year, Republicans rejected a bipartisan Senate border package favored by Trump. The package included stricter asylum regulations and increased border security funding. Brown supported the proposal and worked with Republicans to pass legislation aimed at curbing fentanyl trafficking, according to campaign spokesperson Eliza Green.
The bottom line: Following Trump’s lead, Republicans have adopted stricter positions on immigration and drug trafficking. During his first term, Trump introduced a wealth-and-health test for immigrants, which faced numerous challenges. If re-elected, Trump plans to pursue aggressive measures including a large-scale deportation, ideological screening of immigrants, a naval blockade to target drug smugglers, and tighter asylum restrictions.