The Floridian sat down with Austin Rogers, who is running to replace Representative Neal Dunn (R-FL) in the 2nd congressional district, to discuss illegal immigration and the feasibility of mass deportations, a major part of President Donald Trump's agenda.
Rogers agreed that Trump's focus on deporting the criminal element is a reasonable priority, and that "it cannot be the case that the letter of the law, like what we have inscribed into law, is not 'come and go as you please. You come here illegally, and we cannot do anything about it.' That cannot be the case. That is a nonsensical position."
He ripped the Biden Administration for its allowance of millions of illegal aliens into the country during his term with little oversight, which Trump immediately reversed upon returning to office.
"President Trump showed that he could stop the bleeding and showed, unlike what the Biden Administration said, that you do not need Congress to step in and act to close off the valve," Rogers continued.
He noted that "there is going to be a time and a day when the President is going to be a Democrat again in the future, and nothing is stopping them. In fact, I would bet money on them opening the border wide back open."
As a result, he suggested that legislation should be introduced to prevent future presidents from undoing Trump's work in securing the border.
When asked about Representative Maria Elvira Salazar's (R-FL) controversial DIGNIDAD Act, which many Republicans say is a mass amnesty bill, Rogers said he needed to research it further but opposed mass amnesty.
On the subject of mass deportations, Rogers compared the issue to marijuana enforcement.
"I think in terms of the resources that we have, it is not feasible to get every single illegal alien out of this country," he explained, "and I think all of us apprehend that to some degree." He stated that the Trump Administration is correct to prioritize the "lowest of the hanging fruit," which are the criminals, gang members, and terrorists.
"I equate it sometimes to marijuana, where nobody wants anyone going to prison over having a joint, right? At least I don't, or having like, a dime bag," Rogers said. "The law on the books cannot be, 'come and go,' and the law on the books cannot be, 'have as much weed as you want.' I do not think that is a reasonable approach. That being said, it is up to enforcers to decide, within their discretion, how to enforce it, and I hope that they will do that with wisdom."
