Joining us now, former director of ICE, Sarah Salana. She served in the Obama administration. Thank you very much for joining us.Of course. I want to get your reaction to this moment that we're in and as DH says, the the escalating the surge in violence against ICE officers. Well, it's it's horrific.I uh am sick to my stomach this morning when I heard what happened. I was the former United States Attorney for the Northern District of Texas, which is based in Dallas. And of course, as director of ICE, I know ...

Candidate's Motivation and Platform - The candidate, Bobby Bido, is running for the 15th Congressional District of Texas to be a voice for his people and address issues like healthcare and immigration [1] - Healthcare affordability is a key concern for the candidate, citing personal experience of needing to seek medical care in Mexico due to lack of insurance [1][3] - The candidate aims to address comprehensive immigration reform, feeling that both parties have failed to prioritize it [1] - The candidate is motivated by concerns for the future of his children and the financial struggles they face [1] Political Stance and Strategy - The candidate identifies as a Democrat but acknowledges culturally conservative values prevalent in the district, particularly regarding religion [2] - The candidate believes the Democratic party has drifted away from its faith-based roots, alienating some voters [2] - The candidate recognizes the shift of South Texas voters towards the Republican party, particularly the significant increase in votes for Trump in Hidalgo County from 28% in 2016 to 51% in 2024 [2] - The candidate attributes the shift partly to a perceived failure of the Democratic party and the influence of events like the debate between President Biden and Trump [2] - The candidate acknowledges the importance of addressing economic issues related to immigration, including labor shortages and potential inflation [2][3] - The candidate emphasizes the need for legal pathways for immigration, suggesting vetting processes and government fees as alternatives to cartel exploitation [3] - The candidate aims to combine his "star power" with grassroots efforts to connect with voters, even in traditionally Republican areas [4][5]

Immigration Reform Bill: The Dignity Act - A bipartisan bill, the Dignity Act, proposes legal status for undocumented immigrants in the US since before 2021, offering up to 7 years of legal status with work authorization, contingent on restitution and regular DHS check-ins [1] - The bill emphasizes border security enhancements and protections for Dreamers [1] - The bill does not include a pathway to citizenship or amnesty [2][4] Economic Impact - Undocumented immigrants are needed in the economy and should be allowed to work, pay taxes, and contribute [4][5][15] - The bill proposes a $7,000 payment over seven years plus 1% of income over seven years from immigrants, generating funds for the Treasury and retraining American workers [5][6] - Allowing undocumented immigrants to stay, pay taxes, buy homes, open bank accounts, and consume is essential for maintaining the US as the number one economy [15] Political Landscape - The bill's success depends on timing and potential support from the Trump administration, given Trump's business background and understanding of labor needs in construction, hospitality, and agriculture [3][6][7] - Key figures like Steven Miller may pose challenges due to their stance on mass deportations [8][11][17] - The bill has bipartisan support, with 11 Republicans and 11 Democrats initially backing it [13] - 78% of Americans, including nearly 60% of Republicans, favor a pathway to citizenship for immigrants living in the US illegally, though the bill does not currently offer this [22][23] Addressing Concerns - The bill aims to address the issue of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) expirations, integrating TPS holders into the Dignity Act's framework [19] - The bill seeks to identify and integrate undocumented immigrants into society, ensuring they contribute to social security and are not subject to mass deportation [17] - The bill targets undocumented immigrants without criminal records who contribute to the economy, particularly in construction, hospitality, and agriculture [4][15][26]

Funding & Resource Allocation - The budget bill allocates significant tax dollars to ICE, with the CBO score and Medicaid considered less important than ICE funding and immigration enforcement provisions [1] - ICE is set to receive $45 billion for expanding detention facilities and $30 billion for arrests and deportations [2] - The funding increase positions ICE as the largest federal law enforcement agency in US history, surpassing the combined funding of the FBI, DEA, ATF, Marshals, and the Bureau of Prisons [3] Immigration Enforcement & Policy - The bill primarily focuses on immigration enforcement, lacking comprehensive immigration reform measures or funding for other parts of the immigration system [4] - ICE's detention capacity could potentially increase to 116,000 beds, supported by $45 billion in funding [6] - Approximately $30 billion is allocated for enforcement and removal operations, including hiring and contracting private air charter flight services for deportations [6] Operational Changes & Concerns - There's a shift towards quota-driven enforcement, with increased arrests of individuals without criminal records [8] - 32% of individuals in ICE detention have no criminal record, a figure that has doubled in a month [9] - The increased funding and prominence of ICE could lead to a more visible federal law enforcement presence in communities [11] Societal Impact - Increased ICE activity could disrupt daily life for many Americans, with potential for friends, co-workers, or loved ones to be deported [13] - The administration aims to increase deportations to record levels, targeting populations previously considered safe [14] - Deporting approximately 4% of the country's population (undocumented immigrants) could significantly disrupt the social fabric [14]