Vice President JD Vance has called for a significant reduction in legal immigration, emphasizing the need to “get the overall numbers way, way down.” His remarks came during a Q&A session with students at the University of Mississippi, hosted by Turning Point USA, filling in a role often held by the organization’s late founder, Charlie Kirk.
While Vance expressed that the current levels of legal immigration should be significantly reduced, he refrained from specifying an exact target number when asked by an audience member. He criticized President Joe Biden’s immigration approach, arguing it admits too many people, potentially undermining the nation’s social cohesion.
“When such a large influx occurs, it’s crucial to allow society to stabilize and build a shared identity,” Vance explained. “This period of adjustment is necessary for newcomers to integrate into American culture. Until that happens, additional immigration should be approached with caution.”
Vance also addressed the issue of preventing American casualties in “unnecessary foreign conflicts,” praising former President Donald Trump’s Middle East diplomacy and military actions against Iranian nuclear sites. This comes as the U.S. increases military actions against Venezuela and targets drug-trafficking vessels, according to the Trump administration.
When questioned about the potential misuse of executive power by future presidents, particularly concerning Trump’s deployment of the National Guard to cities led by Democrats, Vance reassured supporters. He pointed to his own legal battles during Biden’s presidency, where he faced charges of mishandling classified documents and attempting to overturn the 2020 election results. These charges were dismissed following his election to a second term last year, suggesting that concerns over Trump’s use of executive power might be overblown.
Asked whether Trump’s deployment of the National Guard to Democratic-led cities will lead to a future president using that government power against conservatives, he said his allies shouldn’t be worried about Trump’s exercise of executive power. He justified Trump’s targeting of his political enemies by pointing to his arrest during Biden’s administration. He was charged with illegally keeping classified documents after his first term and attempting to subvert the 2020 election he lost, but the charges were dismissed after he was elected to his second term a year ago.
“We cannot be afraid to do something because the left might do it in the future,” Vance said. “The left is already going to do it regardless of whether we do it.”
Vance was introduced by Kirk’s widow, Erika Kirk, in one of her first public appearances since she took over her husband’s role leading Turning Point.
“Being on campus right now, for me, is a spiritual reclaiming of territory,” she said, reflecting on Kirk’s love of visiting universities and his mission to move campuses to the right.
Wearing a white “freedom” shirt like the one her husband wore when he was shot, Erika Kirk urged young Christian conservatives to courageously fight for their beliefs and not fear the social consequences.
“If you’re worried about losing a friend—I lost my friend,” she said. “I lost my best friend.”
