The dynamics of the immigration discussion took a dramatic turn on "Meet the Press."
During a pointed exchange with host Kristen Welker, Florida Senator Marco Rubio revised the estimated number of undocumented immigrants in the U.S., significantly elevating past figures.
According to the Western Journal, the discussion aired on May 19, 2024, was particularly heated. Kristen Welker, who began moderating "Meet the Press" in December, pushed Rubio on his previous positions and current viewpoints concerning U.S. immigration policy.
Senator Rubio challenged the outdated statistic of 11 million undocumented immigrants, a figure commonly quoted in political discourse. He proposed that the current numbers could be between 20 and 30 million, considering recent surges in unauthorized entries.
Florida Senator Marco Rubio said:
Eleven million? That’s an outdated — that was the number 10 years ago. We’re talking upwards of 20, 25 million, maybe 30 million.
Rubio's assertion was not just a correction of data but a foundational piece for his evolving stance on immigration policies. He criticized the Biden administration's vetting processes, highlighting the challenges of verifying backgrounds due to unreliable documentation from certain countries.
Rubio explained that his shift in viewpoint was necessary due to the changed landscape of U.S. migration. His comments pointed out the significant increase in undocumented immigrants over a short span, citing nearly as many in the past three years as had been estimated in total a decade ago.
Senator Rubio explained:
Because the issue has completely changed [from 2013]. When I said that back in 2013 I was involved in immigration reform, we had 11, 12 million people that had been here for longer than a decade. Now we’ve had almost the number in the last three years alone.
Rubio's comments touched on the aspect of national security as well, indicating that the unmonitored influx might include individuals with intentions to commit terror attacks within the country.
Following the interview, public sentiment showed substantial support for Senator Rubio’s viewpoint, judging from the responses on social media. A notable reaction from a purported Democrat praised Rubio for his decisive handling of Welker's questions.
The validity of Rubio's bold assertions about numbers and security concerns was central to viewers and potentially to future policy discussions. He emphasized that America is now witnessing not mere immigration but rather "mass migration," requiring decisive and perhaps dramatic governmental actions.
Senator Rubio’s assertive response on "Meet the Press" indicates a rigorous stance on immigration, likely resonating with his constituents and broader segments of the American populace concerned with immigration reform.
While confronting challenging questions, Rubio’s well-rehearsed responses reflected a deep-seated concern for national security and the integrity of U.S. borders. This dialogue may indeed frame future debates on this perennially contentious and vital issue as the U.S. grapples with its immigration policies.
