If borders don’t matter, why have them?

Brian C. Joondeph | August 24, 2026

The recent success of Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) candidates in several high-profile primary elections has reignited a debate over how far left the Democratic Party is moving.

These are not the Democrats of John F. Kennedy or even Bill Clinton. The DSA platform calls for Medicare for All, the Green New Deal, universal childcare, free public college, expanded government ownership of key industries, and a constitutional overhaul that would abolish the U.S. Senate, the Supreme Court, and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and replace the presidency with congressional leadership.

On immigration, many progressive activists seek not only to reform ICE but to abolish it altogether. Congressman Shri Thanedar has introduced legislation to do exactly that. While few politicians openly call for eliminating America’s borders, many advocate policies that would significantly reduce immigration enforcement and expand legal status for those who enter illegally. In other words, amnesty. 

If there is no meaningful enforcement, there is effectively no border.

The Biden administration offered a real-world glimpse into what reduced enforcement looks like. The Cato Institute estimates that nearly nine million illegal immigrants entered the United States during President Biden’s four years in office. Other estimates are even higher. 

President Trump has largely reversed that trend through increased enforcement, deportations, and encouragement of voluntary departures. Yet many on the political left continue to portray border enforcement itself as morally suspect.

Rather than debating personalities or........

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