Portrait of JD Vance
Politician · policy
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JD Vance on Border Security

Hardline enforcement advocate (strong)

Vice President JD Vance expresses strong opposition to current and past border enforcement policies he deems insufficiently strict, aligning with a hardline stance on immigration control. He views border security as synonymous with national security and emphasizes the need to stop illegal crossings and drug flow, particularly fentanyl.

He has repeatedly advocated for increased enforcement measures and completion of the border wall, attributing any perceived success in border crossings reduction to the Trump administration's empowerment of federal agents and citing significant drops in daily crossings following the administration's inauguration in 2025.

Vance has shown willingness to prioritize political alignment with Trump over bipartisan legislative efforts, such as the Senate border deal, framing strict enforcement as essential to national security and public safety. His focus includes mass deportations and ensuring immigrants who are in the country illegally are returned to their country of origin.

Context

JD Vance's views on border security are central to his national conservative and right-wing populist platform, which prioritizes domestic interests, often termed "America First." His perspective is heavily influenced by his alignment with Donald Trump's policy agenda.

As Vice President, Vance holds a significant role in shaping and executing the administration's immigration and border policies, making his stated positions directly relevant to federal action.

Actions Taken

  1. Oversight Visit
    Toured the U.S.-Mexico border in Eagle Pass, Texas, meeting with law enforcement and highlighting administration policies credited with reducing daily border crossings.
  2. Voting Record
    Voted against advancing the bipartisan Senate border security deal, which aimed to increase border agents and drug detection resources, calling the legislation a "disaster."

Key Quotes

"[The bipartisan border security bill] does nothing to secure the border."

Democrat Talking Point Memo citing Vance January 1, 2024 — Stating his opposition to the bipartisan border security legislation while he was in the Senate.

The border problem the border crisis under Biden's administration was a national crisis.

YouTube video of remarks at U.S.-Mexico Border March 5, 2025 — Speaking after a tour of the Texas border in his capacity as Vice President.

Border security is national security.

YouTube video of remarks at U.S.-Mexico Border March 5, 2025 — Stating a core principle alongside Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.

The border deal was a disaster. I would not have voted for it if Donald Trump told me you have to vote for this thing.

Democrats.org article citing prior admission January 1, 2024 — Admitting his opposition to the bipartisan border bill.

Related Positions

  • Immigration Enforcement Vance supports robust enforcement, including the concept of mass deportations, as a necessary component of border security.
  • Project 2025 He aligns with the extreme and cruel immigration agenda detailed in Project 2025, which includes mass deportations and detention camps.
  • Catholic Social Teaching He has invoked his Catholic faith to justify enforcement, contrasting it with the stance of the US Conference of Catholic Bishops on humanitarian concerns.

Criticism

Democrats (DNC Rapid Response Director Alex Floyd)

Vance is accused of "playing political games with our border security" by opposing measures to fund border patrol and fentanyl detection, aligning with Trump's political agenda instead of securing the border.

Democrats.org

Vance is criticized for helping to "tank" a bipartisan border deal at Trump's command, prioritizing politics over safety measures.