House Democrats on Monday unveiled a comprehensive immigration and border security framework aimed at breaking years of partisan gridlock on one of the nation’s most contentious political issues.
The New Democrat Coalition Immigration & Border Security Working Group, led by Rep. Gabe Vasquez of New Mexico, released what it calls the “New Dem Immigration & Border Security Framework” — a blueprint the party says will guide Democratic and bipartisan legislation for years to come.
“As someone from a border community, I’ve seen firsthand how both parties have mishandled immigration for far too long,” said Vasquez, who chairs the working group. “It’s time for change, and I’m proud to be leading the Democratic party forward with new commonsense policies to secure our borders, boost local economies, and expand legal pathways in a humane, cost-effective way.”
The New Democrat Coalition, with 115 members, is the largest ideological caucus within the Democratic Party, according to a press release from Vasquez’s office.
The framework proposes what Democrats describe as “smart border security” investments, including funding for scanning technology to inspect all cargo at U.S. ports of entry. It also calls for resources to support efforts to dismantle cartels and combat smuggling, while providing funding for the removal of violent offenders.
On immigration enforcement, the plan emphasizes humane detention conditions and Department of Homeland Security oversight, prioritizing the detention and removal of individuals convicted of violent crimes.
The proposal includes several workforce-focused provisions, such as protecting American workers and wages in visa programs, creating a caregiver visa to expand access to child and elder care and safeguarding high-skilled worker and investor programs. It also calls for incentivizing research in emerging fields, including quantum computing and artificial intelligence.
The framework outlines plans to establish legal pathways for critical workers, legal residents, and those with ties to U.S. citizens through spousal or parental relationships. It supports international efforts to dismantle cartels and combat drug and human trafficking across U.S. borders.
Infrastructure improvements are also included, with calls to upgrade ports of entry, modernize immigration agencies and visa processing, and direct federal agencies to develop a national strategy connecting immigrants’ skills with local labor needs.
“Democrats may not have had a plan on immigration, but that changes today,” Vasquez said.
The document calls on lawmakers across the political spectrum to end partisan gridlock and enact what Democrats term “meaningful legislation” for a modernized immigration system.
The framework release comes as immigration remains a top political issue ahead of the 2026 midterm elections, with both parties seeking to demonstrate leadership on border security and immigration reform.
At last some sanity
Where was this so called democrat during the brain dead Joe Biden years when they did nothing. No thanks Vasquez the Republicans are doing just great without your input.
The Republicans are turning our country into a police state using immigration as an excuse to enable mistreatment of humans and to funnel money into private pockets through detention centers and deals with foreign countries. That is not great in any sense. It may give you satisfaction of seeing illegals removed, which apparently some of you get off on regardless of whether they are dangerous criminals or people trying to make a living waiting for the immigration process.
The Dems should have done this sooner, but a better, just plan is better late than never.
You allow the government the power they are grabbing under this administration and one day, you personally will be under attack for something you never dreamed could happen to you as a US citizen.
Please provide a link so we can share to Bluesky! Thank you
What a great idea. Hope you do it.
Excellent Democratic Border Plan….now toot it all over the place. Democrats need to speak with and for the working class folks in all areas and work places including vocational work, mechanics, electricians, plumbers,farmers, colleges, schools, and getting an Education Dept back and protecting Medicare/aid and Social Security. Listen to their needs and prioritze talk about them and how Democrats can help them. Where the heck did all that stolen moneymoney go???Beat the drum on how Republicans have robbed all the people who have paid into the system and their taxes for years.
Betcha a lot of our governing group have lawyers who butcher the taxes of the rich. Mr. and Mrs.
Working class, God help us.