The “Immigration Enforcement First” viewpoint holds that strict enforcement of immigration laws is essential to safeguarding national sovereignty, security, and public welfare. This perspective is prominently advocated by conservative politicians, law enforcement officials, and advocacy groups focused on immigration restriction. Figures such as Kris Kobach, a former Kansas Secretary of State and architect of stringent immigration policies, have championed this stance, arguing that robust border control and interior enforcement are necessary to curb illegal immigration. Organizations like NumbersUSA amplify these arguments, contending that effective border security and enforcement of visa programs protect American workers and taxpayers while ensuring the rule of law. Proponents assert that without such measures, unauthorized migration undermines national integrity, strains public resources, and poses risks to public safety. This viewpoint shapes debates at federal, state, and local levels, influencing policies on border patrols, deportation procedures, and workplace verification systems.
Proponents of “Immigration Enforcement First” contend that uncontrolled immigration creates significant economic and social burdens on American taxpayers. They cite studies such as Mark Krikorian's *The New Case Against Immigration: Both Legal and Illegal* (PublicAffairs, 2008), which argues that undocumented immigration strains public resources, including healthcare, education, and welfare systems. The Department of Homeland Security's FY 2023 Budget Justification supports this claim by highlighting the substantial costs associated with detaining individuals apprehended for illegal entry, emphasizing the financial toll on federal and state budgets.
Advocates further assert that robust immigration enforcement protects American workers from job displacement caused by undocumented labor. A 2017 Government Accountability Office (GAO) report examined the economic effects of unauthorized migration, finding evidence that it depresses wages in certain sectors and disrupts legal employment markets. By enforcing visa programs and workplace verification systems, proponents argue, the U.S. can ensure fair competition for American citizens while maintaining the integrity of legal immigration pathways.
Supporters also believe that strict enforcement deters further illegal migration and prevents criminal activity linked to unlawful entry or overstays. They point to data showing correlations between border crossings and transnational crime, arguing that effective enforcement measures like deportation procedures and increased patrols enhance public safety. Additionally, they maintain that upholding immigration laws preserves the rule of law, ensuring that legal immigrants are not disadvantaged by those who bypass established processes.
The “Immigration Enforcement First” viewpoint has been championed by several prominent political figures and organizations. Kris Kobach, a former Kansas Secretary of State, is known for his staunch advocacy of strict immigration policies, including the development of stringent voter identification laws and support for measures like Arizona's SB 1070. Stephen Miller, as a White House adviser under President Donald Trump, played a key role in crafting “zero tolerance” immigration enforcement policies, emphasizing the importance of border security and interior enforcement mechanisms. Mark Morgan, who served as acting director of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in 2019 and subsequently as acting Commissioner of U.S. Customs and Border Protection through January 2021, advocated for increased deportations and operational control of the southern border.
Organizations such as NumbersUSA have been instrumental in promoting this viewpoint, focusing on numerical limits to immigration and advocating for policies that prioritize American workers. The Federation for American Immigration Reform (FAIR), founded under the influence of John Tanton, has long pushed for comprehensive immigration enforcement, including stricter asylum rules and limitations on legal immigration pathways.
Proponents of immigration enforcement first are not monolithic in their priorities. One significant division exists between those who emphasize physical border security and deterrence—focusing on wall construction, increased Border Patrol presence, and expedited removal—and those who prioritize interior enforcement mechanisms such as E-Verify mandates, workplace raids, and the 287(g) program enabling local law enforcement to assist in immigration enforcement. A second axis of disagreement concerns legal immigration levels: some advocates in this camp accept current legal immigration numbers and focus exclusively on unauthorized entry, while others, including organizations like NumbersUSA and FAIR, argue that reductions to legal immigration are equally necessary to protect American workers and absorb prior waves of newcomers.
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