GOP Congressman: Republicans Have Done ‘Terrible Job’ Messaging Immigration

Rep. Andy Biggs (R-Ariz.) said Republicans have done a “terrible job” crafting and presenting a message to the American people about the need to crack down on illegal immigration and sanctuary cities, during an interview Wednesday on “The Laura Ingraham Show.”

Biggs, who co-sponsored the “No Sanctuary for Criminals Act” up for consideration in the House this week, said the GOP has failed to drive home the vital national security interests that drive such bills.

“The Republican Party is moving forward, and we are protecting people here. We’re going to make their lives better because our policies are better,” Biggs said. “And now we have to execute on how we construct the narrative and communicate that narrative.”

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“On one side of the aisle, you’ve got a bunch of people that are out there saying, ‘Look, we will take everybody in.’ And the other side of the aisle says, ‘Wait a second — we have to protect the people. And when you let everybody in, you’re letting in criminals, people who commit mayhem and harm people,'” Biggs added. “And we’ve done a terrible job messaging that, but we’re the messaging, too. We have to deliver.”

The “No Sanctuary for Criminals Act” withholds federal grants from cities and jurisdictions that violate federal law and block their law enforcement officials from cooperating with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). It also clarifies ICE’s authority to ask for detainers on criminal illegal immigrants and protects those who comply with the detainers from being sued.

The Act also includes “Sarah’s and Grant’s Law,” which refers to two Americans killed by illegal immigrants. This portion orders illegals who have been convicted on DUI charges or other violent criminal charges to be detained as the preparations for the deportation process take place.

“I think it’s a marvelous first step. There might be things you could do more, but this really says you’ve got to follow the law. If you don’t follow the law, there’s going to be penalties and they’re going to be real penalties,” Biggs said. “And why should our cities and towns and some states even be above the law? And that’s what this law is about. It’s trying to protect our citizens from those who are here illegally from committing violent crimes against people who live, reside and are citizens here.”

“And other parts of the bill say if we find out you’re a criminally violent illegal alien, we’re going to keep you in custody. We’re going to hold you until we deport you. We’re not going to let you back on the street to create further mayhem and danger,” Biggs added.

If the GOP can “unify” around its messaging, the act could draw more support among the American people, Biggs suggested.

“And as we do that, we can convey the message because the other part of the message is, ‘As we enforce the law, we’ve got to continue with border enforcement itself, which is building a wall, building the infrastructure along the border so our agents down there can interdict these people crossing the border,'” Biggs said. “And we need to do a better job in keeping track of people who have visas in this country. Forty percent of our illegal immigrants are visa overstays. We don’t even know where they are.”

“We have got to enforce the law, and as we do that we will protect people’s lives. And that’s a message that crosses party lines,” Biggs added.
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