As America wrestles with a fragile and chaotic immigration system, the Republican-controlled Congress seems more captivated by political theatre than practical solutions. While immigration remains a top concern for many Americans, especially those along the border and in affected communities, Congress appears preoccupied, spending countless hours and taxpayer dollars on sprawling investigations rather than doing the work of legislating.
Many Republicans claim to support stricter immigration enforcement and border security, principles echoed in former President Donald Trump’s executive orders. Yet instead of codifying those policies into lasting legislation, they’ve allowed the issue to wither in a fog of partisan hearings and performative outrage. Executive orders may grab headlines, but without Congressional action, they remain vulnerable to the whims of future administrations and judicial review.
That’s the irony: this Congress rails against “judicial overreach” while doing little to assert its legislative authority. When courts step in to block or revise executive actions, it’s often because Congress has abdicated its role. Rather than reining in the judiciary through well-crafted laws, lawmakers surrender their power — and then complain when judges fill the void.
If Republicans truly want to secure the border and restore faith in the system, the answer isn’t endless subpoenas or made-for-TV showdowns. It’s writing durable laws that clarify immigration enforcement, protect due process, and respond to twenty-first-century realities. That’s the real work. And it’s past time Congress got back to it.
