In a bold move to reshape the U.S. immigration debate, a group of House progressives has formed the Congressional Caucus on Global Migration. Co-chaired by Reps. Delia Ramirez (D-Ill.), Greg Casar (D-Texas), and Sydney Kamlager-Dove (D-Calif.), the caucus aims to shift the focus from border controls to addressing the root causes that compel people to migrate to the U.S.
“We Democrats have done a terrible job in actually talking about immigration,” Rep. Delia Ramirez said, highlighting the need for a proactive and comprehensive strategy. The caucus, consisting of 14 founding House members, seeks to address global factors such as violence, civil wars, human rights violations, economic exclusion, and climate instability.
Strategic Actions and Goals
The caucus plans to conduct quarterly actions including roundtables, briefings, special order speeches, shadow hearings, and public toolkits to spur Congress into meaningful action. Their focus is to create policies that reduce the need for migration by improving conditions in migrants' home countries.
“We’ve just been reactive and apologetic instead of actually moving in the direction that positions Congress to be an effective ally to global efforts,” Ramirez added.
Addressing the Broader Context
Rep. Greg Casar emphasized the need to view immigration as a global issue rather than a border issue. He pointed out that migration begins in home countries, not at the U.S. border, and discussed how U.S. policies could mitigate migration pressures. Casar also highlighted the impact of U.S. firearms on violence in Mexico, advocating for tougher gun laws to reduce the flow of weapons to Mexican cartels.
A Response to Conservative Policies
The formation of this caucus comes as immigration has become a contentious issue in President Joe Biden's re-election campaign. Amidst pressures, the Biden administration and moderate Democrats have adopted some conservative measures to tighten border controls. However, the new caucus opposes these restrictive policies and urges a more humanitarian approach.
Combating Misinformation
Ramirez also addressed the influence of the “great replacement” conspiracy theory, which posits that liberal policies aim to replace white voters with nonwhite voters. She criticized this narrative and emphasized the need for Democrats to effectively counter such misinformation and advocate for compassionate immigration policies.
Long-Term Vision
Rep. Sydney Kamlager-Dove underscored that the global migration crisis extends beyond the southern border and requires a comprehensive foreign policy approach. The caucus aims to work towards solutions that ensure people do not have to migrate out of desperation but can find safety and stability in their home countries.
Challenges Ahead
The caucus acknowledges the complexity of their mission. Vice President Kamala Harris’s “Root Causes Strategy” initiated in July 2021 to address Central American migration crises has yet to yield significant results, underscoring the challenges ahead for the new caucus.
“With this caucus, we’re sending the message that Democrats want to address the global migration crisis. This crisis is a foreign policy issue that goes beyond the southern border,” Kamlager-Dove concluded.
The formation of the Congressional Caucus on Global Migration marks a significant step towards a more holistic and humanitarian approach to immigration, striving to address the fundamental issues that drive migration to the U.S.
