Republican Sen. Thom Tillis of North Carolina said Sunday his party has "lost the debate" on immigration, remarks that came days after President Trump nominated Sen. Markwayne Mullin (R-Okla.) to replace Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem.
Tillis, who is not seeking reelection, made the comments during an appearance on CNN's "State of the Union." He said Republicans should focus deportation efforts on the most dangerous individuals, not those who crossed the border during the Biden administration.
"We've lost the debate over immigration and deportations. I believe that we should deport everyone that we can find that came across the borders during the Biden administration. But we've got to be smart, use our limited resources, go after the most dangerous first," Tillis told host Jake Tapper.
The remarks marked a continued critique of Noem's tenure at DHS. Tillis has repeatedly criticized the former homeland security secretary following incidents in Minneapolis earlier this year, when federal immigration officers fatally shot U.S. citizens Renee Good and Alex Pretti.
"It didn't look like that happened under Noem," Tillis said.
What the Right Is Saying
Conservative Republicans have largely defended the administration's immigration agenda, arguing that robust deportation efforts are necessary to address illegal immigration and protect public safety.
Many on the right have supported Trump's aggressive stance, viewing it as fulfilling campaign promises to secure the border. They argue that focusing on anyone who entered illegally during the Biden administration is a legitimate use of government resources.
Tillis himself emphasized that he supports deportation of those who crossed the border illegally, but argued for a strategic approach prioritizing dangerous individuals. He has praised Mullin as someone who understands "quality over quantity" in immigration enforcement.
Some conservative critics have defended Noem's record, noting that border crossings declined during her tenure. However, others have acknowledged the administration could improve its messaging and execution.
What the Left Is Saying
Progressive Democrats and immigration advocates have pointed to the Minneapolis shootings as evidence of an overly aggressive deportation strategy. The incidents sparked nationwide protests against the Trump administration's immigration policies.
An AP-NORC survey released last month found that 52 percent of respondents believe President Trump has gone too far in his deportation efforts. This data has emboldened Democratic critics who argue the administration has overstepped its authority.
During a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing earlier this week, Tillis directly confronted Noem, saying: "We're beginning to get the American people to think that deporting people is wrong. It's the exact opposite."
Progressive lawmakers have similarly argued that the administration's approach has alienated moderate voters and undermined support for border security measures more broadly. They have called for a more targeted approach that focuses on individuals with serious criminal convictions rather than broad enforcement actions.
What the Numbers Show
The AP-NORC survey conducted last month found that 52 percent of respondents believe President Trump has gone too far in his deportation efforts, while 44 percent said his approach was about right and 4 percent said not far enough.
The survey also showed that public opinion on immigration remains divided, with partisanship heavily influencing views. The data suggests the administration's aggressive approach may be alienating some moderate voters.
Federal immigration statistics show that deportations have increased significantly since the start of the second Trump administration. However, the fatal shootings in Minneapolis have drawn scrutiny to the tactics used by federal immigration officers.
Tillis is not seeking reelection in 2026, which gives him unusual latitude to publicly critique his party's direction on a major policy issue.
The Bottom Line
Tillis's comments represent one of the most direct Republican acknowledgments that the party's immigration messaging may be struggling with swing voters. His focus on a targeted approach rather than mass deportations reflects an emerging debate within the GOP about strategy and tactics.
The nomination of Mullin to replace Noem signals the administration may be adjusting its approach. Tillis expressed hope that his Senate colleague can "fix what's broken" at DHS while building on successful elements of the department.
With polling showing a majority of Americans believe Trump's deportation efforts have gone too far, Republicans face a challenging political environment on an issue that has traditionally favored the party. The outcome of this debate could significantly impact the 2026 midterm elections.
What to watch: How Mullin navigates his confirmation hearings, whether additional Republicans join Tillis in critiquing the current approach, and how public opinion evolves as enforcement actions continue.