WASHINGTON — U.S. Representative Beth Van Duyne (R) warned that a change in Texas leadership could weaken border security and encourage renewed migrant caravans, arguing that Democrats' immigration policies conflict with their promises to address affordability.
In an exclusive interview with Texas Politics, Rep. Van Duyne pointed to reports of migrant caravans traveling from Mexico toward the southern border and questioned whether incoming Texas Governor Gina Hinojosa (D) would maintain the state's current approach to border enforcement.
You were seeing that today," said Van Duyne when asked whether Democrats taking power could embolden migrants from other countries to make their way toward the United States.
"If history repeats itself, which it looks like, you're already seeing caravans who are coming from Mexico to our southern border," she said.
Van Duyne argued that Texas serves as the first line of defense against illegal immigration and expressed doubt that Hinojosa would prioritize border security.
"I would hope that the new governor, Hinojosa, would actually want to protect Texans, and would recognize the fact that we're going to be the first line of defense," said Van Duyne. "But if it's any repeat of history in the past, I don't see it happening."
Van Duyne also criticized Democrats' immigration priorities, arguing that illegal immigration increases costs for American households through pressure on housing, education, and healthcare.
She pointed to what she described as tens of millions of people entering the country illegally during the Biden administration, arguing that the resulting costs undermine Democratic promises to make life more affordable.
"If they looked at the tens of millions of people that came over our borders illegally during the Biden administration, they would understand how that had a direct increase in costs, whether that was healthcare costs, education costs, housing," she said.
Van Duyne cited a Dallas Federal Reserve study, claiming illegal immigration contributed to a 30% increase in housing prices and a 20% increase in rental rates.
"The whole idea, if this was really a vote on accountability and affordability, then Democrats are basically punching in the face the American voter," said Van Duyne.
