A video report published by RealClearPolitics on July 26 features the Democratic Socialists of America co-chair discussing open borders policy as an element of a longer-term international strategy, including proposals for reducing U.S. military intervention abroad.
The DSA, which has grown significantly since 2016 and claims tens of thousands of members, has long advocated for expanding legal immigration and path to citizenship programs as part of its broader platform.
"Open borders is part of a longer-term international plan that involves us stopping the destabilization of countries," the DSA co-chair said in comments captured in the video report. "When we stop bombing other countries, when we stop supporting coups, people will have less reason to leave."
What the Right Is Saying
Critics on the right have seized on the statements as evidence that open borders advocates seek fundamental transformation of American society beyond simply changing immigration law.
"This confirms what many Americans have suspected — this isn't about compassion, it's about remaking the country," said a spokesperson for NumbersUSA, an organization advocating for reduced immigration levels. "The DSA has been explicit about wanting to fundamentally transform America into something unrecognizable."
Conservative commentators argue that framing military intervention as the primary driver of migration ignores other factors including economic opportunity, family reunification, and violence in Central American countries where U.S. influence is limited.
"People migrate for many reasons — this attempt to tie every border issue to American military policy is a deflection," said an analyst with the Center for Immigration Studies, which advocates for lower immigration levels.
What the Left Is Saying
Progressive supporters of expanded immigration argue that the DSA framing reflects mainstream economic consensus among many economists who contend that increased legal immigration boosts productivity and addresses labor shortages in key sectors.
Immigration advocacy organizations note that comprehensive reform has stalled repeatedly in Congress, leaving millions in limbo. They argue that incremental legislative approaches have failed and that more fundamental restructuring of border and visa policy is needed.
"The current system is designed to criminalize migration rather than manage it responsibly," said a spokesperson for a national immigration rights coalition. "Organizations like DSA are part of a broader coalition pushing for systemic change."
What the Numbers Show
According to Pew Research Center data, net migration to the United States reached approximately 1 million annually in recent years, though these figures fluctuate based on economic conditions and immigration policy changes.
A Gallup World Poll found that approximately 158 million adults worldwide would like to migrate to the United States if they had the opportunity, representing a significant gap between desired and actual migration flows.
The DSA claims approximately 90,000 members across more than 200 chapters nationwide, according to the organization's most recent public membership data. The group has seen particular growth in major metropolitan areas including New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, and Boston.
The Bottom Line
The statements highlight ongoing debates within American political discourse about immigration policy's scope and objectives. Supporters argue that treating migration as a law enforcement issue fails to address root causes, while critics contend that framing open borders as part of internationalist ideology overstates the consensus for such policies among voters.
Immigration remains one of the most politically durable divides in American politics, with polling consistently showing that voters support both stronger border security measures and pathways to legal status for long-term residents without documentation. How those competing priorities get balanced in future legislative negotiations may depend on broader electoral dynamics heading into subsequent election cycles.