The GOP’s growing infighting over immigration is now fueling a pair of PACs funneling millions of dollars into opposing sides of Republican primaries across the country.
Dueling pledges Rep. Maria Elvira Salazar (R-Fla.) turns the congressional fight over the Dignity Act into an election proxy battle between radicals and moderates over how far the Republican Party should go on immigration reform. It’s putting the bill’s 20 House GOP co-sponsors in the spotlight.
Homeland PACBacked by immigration-restrictionist Republicans, some of those co-sponsors launched last week in an effort to build on the primary. Meanwhile, American Business Immigration Coalition Action, a pro-immigration group, secured $1.2 million through its agency for their protection. Creation of America’s Economy PAC And it hopes to raise $5 million in total, according to plans first shared with POLITICO.
The Dignity Act, a bipartisan bill, has faced criticism from conservative MAGA influencers and allies of President Donald Trump, who see it as a non-starter. Although the bill does not create a path to citizenship, it would allow millions of unauthorized immigrants to eventually obtain work permits and live in the US legally.
Republicans like battleground Reps. Gabe Evans (Colo.) and Brian Fitzpatrick (Pa.) have signed on to the bill. But critics see it as an “apology” and a signal that the future of the Republican Party depends on the debate.
“Ryan Girdusky, the GOP strategist behind Homeland PAC, said, “Donald Trump won’t be around forever. The goal is to focus on the future and put our efforts in, and make sure Republicans know that demanding stronger borders and reform on legal immigration and illegal immigration means something.” “We will not give up and return to business as usual.”
The clash comes as the White House is recalibrating its own messaging on immigration amid falling public perception. The administration has moved away from using the phrase “mass deportation” in public messaging and says it is focusing on deporting “the worst people.”
Rebecca Shea, CEO of ABIC Action, said, “Extreme-right Internet influencers have stepped up their attacks, and we want to ensure that leadership on common-sense immigration reform remains secure.”
Salazar has defended his bill, saying it provides “dignity” to workers. But Trump’s former advisor Steve Bannon It was called the “Screw American Workers” bill.. conservative pundit megyn kelly bill said “With the GOP base, America First is not going to do well.” and including conservative members of Congress Senator Mike Lee (R-Utah) And Representative Brandon Gill (R-Texas)Called the bill a betrayal of Trump’s base.
Girdusky, whose homeland is P.A.C. is devoted to “Ending the careers of every Republican who supports amnesty and sells out the American people on immigration,” he would not reveal which specific lawmakers he is targeting or how much money he plans to spend. Many of the Dignity Act sponsors are retiring or representing competitive districts, but Girdusky said his group will focus on safe-red seats with primary challenges.
“If any of these members have a change of heart and say, ‘Wow, this is really a terrible bill for American workers and the border and enriches human traffickers, I will drop support for it,’ I’m not going to challenge them in the primary,” he said.
A number of hard-line immigration groups have attempted to exert influence over the Trump administration, hoping to convince the president to keep his promise to implement the largest deportation initiative in history. But leaning into such an approach risks alienating voters, many of whom disapprove of the president’s handling of immigration so far.
New results from a Politico poll show that Americans’ views of Trump’s deportation campaign remain largely negative in the three months since he increased enforcement in Minneapolis. Half of Americans, including a quarter of Trump’s 2024 voters, say his deportation campaign is too aggressive.
Shea said her group will defend the Dignity Act’s cosponsors — both Republicans and Democrats — in the primaries, as well Republicans who voted to restore temporary protected status For Haitians last week. He believes signing a bipartisan immigration reform bill like the Dignity Act would be a smart political move for the White House before the midterms.
“The White House is very sensitive to polling on this and the numbers have not changed since Minneapolis,” Shea said. “That’s why the next logical step to winning in November is really the solution.”
