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Dueling PACs gear up for GOP primary wars over immigration
TL;DR
The GOP is facing a split over immigration, with two PACs investing millions in opposing sides of the primary battles. The Dignity Act, backed by some House Republicans, is at the center of this conflict as hardliners and moderates clash over immigration reform.
Key points
- GOP infighting over immigration intensifies with dueling PACs.
- Homeland PAC targets co-sponsors of the Dignity Act.
- American Business Immigration Coalition Action raises funds to protect moderate Republicans.
- Dignity Act allows work permits for unauthorized immigrants.
- The future of the Republican Party is at stake in this immigration debate.
Mentioned in this story
Homeland PACAmerican Business Immigration Coalition ActionMaria Elvira SalazarGabe EvansBrian Fitzpatrick
The GOP's escalating infighting over immigration now has a pair of PACs lining up millions of dollars on opposing sides of Republican primaries across the country.
The dueling pledges turn a congressional fight over Rep. Maria Elvira Salazar's (R-Fla.) Dignity Act into an electoral proxy war between hardliners and moderates over how far the Republican Party should go on immigration reform. It’s putting the bill's 20 House GOP co-sponsors in the spotlight.
The Homeland PAC, backed by immigration-restrictionist Republicans, launched last week in an effort to primary some of those co-sponsors. Meanwhile, American Business Immigration Coalition Action, a pro-immigration group, secured $1.2 million to protect them through its Building America’s Economy PAC and hopes to raise $5 million in total, according to plans first shared with POLITICO.
The Dignity Act, a bipartisan bill, has faced an onslaught of criticism from conservative MAGA influencers and allies of President Donald Trump, who view it as a nonstarter. While the bill doesn't create pathways to citizenship, it would allow millions of unauthorized immigrants to eventually gain work permits and remain in the U.S. legally.
Republicans like battleground Reps. Gabe Evans (Colo.) and Brian Fitzpatrick (Pa.) have signed onto the bill. But critics pan it as “amnesty” and signal that the future of the Republican Party hinges on this debate.
**“**Donald Trump is not going to be around forever,” said Ryan Girdusky, the GOP strategist behind Homeland PAC. “The goal is to focus and to put our efforts into the future, and make sure Republicans know that the demand for stronger borders and for reforms to legal immigration and illegal immigration means something. We are not going to roll over and go back to business as usual.”
The clash is playing out as the White House recalibrates its own message on immigration amid plummeting public perception. The administration has shifted away from using the phrase “mass deportations” in public messaging and says it is focusing on deporting the “worst of the worst.”
“Extreme-right internet influencers have escalated their attacks, and we want to ensure the leadership on commonsense immigration reform are protected,” said Rebbeca Shi, CEO of ABIC Action, whose PAC is seeking to defend Republican co-sponsors of the Dignity Act.
Q&A
What is the Dignity Act and why is it controversial?
The Dignity Act is a bipartisan bill that allows unauthorized immigrants to gain work permits but has faced criticism from conservative factions who view it as a form of amnesty.
How much money are the PACs raising for the GOP primary battles?
The Homeland PAC is targeting co-sponsors of the Dignity Act, while the American Business Immigration Coalition Action aims to raise $5 million to protect them, having already secured $1.2 million.
Who are the key Republican representatives involved in the Dignity Act?
Key supporters include Reps. Maria Elvira Salazar, Gabe Evans, and Brian Fitzpatrick, who are co-sponsors of the bill amidst the ongoing immigration debate.
What impact could the immigration debate have on the Republican Party's future?
The immigration debate, particularly surrounding the Dignity Act, is seen as pivotal for the Republican Party's direction, influencing the balance between hardliners and moderates.
