25 OCT 2023
Immigration Hub Responds to the Election of Mike Johnson (R-LA) as Speaker of the House
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Republicans in the House of Representatives elected Mike Johnson (R-LA) to be the next Speaker of the House. The following is a reaction statement from the Executive Director of the Immigration Hub:
“The next Speaker of the House is an election denier and conspiracy theorist. In 2020, he joined with other MAGA extremists in an attempt to overturn the will of the voters. As a member of the Judiciary Committee, he has joined with fellow hardliners to invoke white supremacist conspiracy theories.
As our friends at America’s Voice have documented, Johnson has framed our challenges at the southern border as an “invasion” and suggested it’s a plot to “replace” white people. This rhetoric originated on the far fringes of the radical right. Invoking notions of “invasion” – as if refugees constitute an armed danger to America– and “replacement” – as if we are in the middle of a race war – is not only dehumanizing, it is dangerous.
It is a sad day when legitimate policy debates are transformed into hateful speech. Just a few years ago, Rep. Steve King (R-IA) was pushed out of the House GOP caucus for incendiary comments. Today, a member who speaks in the same vein was elevated by the House GOP caucus to serve as Speaker.
As negotiations to fund our government begin, we urge members of Congress to reject the extreme and divisive politics that undermine working families and our immigration system. At a time when the American public yearns for sensible, unified governance, Congress should work in a bipartisan manner to pass legislation that offers opportunities and safety to working families, including lasting protections for immigrant families and resources to humanely secure our border.”
Background:
Here are just a few recent examples of Johnson’s rhetoric:
Twitter: “Last month alone, there were over 40,000 more illegal migrants encountered by CBP at our southern border than the entire population of Shreveport (the 3rd largest city in LA). The Biden Administration is intentionally allowing the destruction of our country.”
House Judiciary hearing, speaking to DHS Secretary Mayorkas: “…because of your deliberate and defiant policies … we have a literal invasion of lawless masses flooding over our border from more than 160 countries … innocent children, sir, are being abducted, assaulted, raped and murdered by human traffickers. Countless numbers of known terrorists and vicious gang members are clearly coming across our border and making their way into our communities all over the country … our entire country is becoming a crime scene.”
Twitter: “Mayorkas LIED repeatedly to the Senate Judiciary Comm yesterday. I called for his impeachment last year & summarized here why his INTENTIONAL acts will destroy our country if he isn’t stopped. Dems continue to protect & empower this carnage. God help us.”
Newsmax: “The Biden administration has done this intentionally. [Department of Homeland Security] Secretary [Alejandro] Mayorkas has done this intentionally. For what reason? Everybody asks me all the time. I think that ultimately they hope to turn all these illegals into voters for their side.”
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The Immigration Hub is a national organization dedicated to advancing fair and just immigration policies through strategic leadership, innovative communications strategies, legislative advocacy and collaborative partnerships.