Press Releases

Today, Senator-elect Jim Banks joined CNN’s Inside Politics with Dana Bash to discuss President Trump’s upcoming legislative agenda.

You can watch the full interview here.

Key Excerpts:

Dana Bash:

“You told the IndyStar yesterday, quote, ‘We're going to begin the process of deporting the over 15 million illegals that have come into this country under Joe Biden's watch.’

First of all, just to better understand what the actual policy and how it's going to be executed will be. Do you see all undocumented immigrants as sort of—should they all be kicked out of the country?

Senator-elect Jim Banks:

“Well, some conservative estimates say that there are at least 15 million illegals who have come into the country on Joe Biden's watch. It's my hope that we deport every single one of them that we can. And it starts with deporting violent criminals who are in the United States, who came here illegally, who have committed violent crimes… President Trump is committed to making that his first and top priority when it comes to mass deportation.

“ On top of that, increase the penalties on businesses who hire illegals in our country. Take away the incentive for them to be here and for them to come here, and I think many of them will leave on their own. But the mass deportation plan needs to be an immediate focus of the House and the Senate. I believe when the dust settles, we're going to have an even bigger majority in the House, still a slim majority, but a big—a bigger majority by a couple of seats in the House. And we'll have the ability to work together in both chambers to fund the mass deportation effort and give the president the backup that he needs to make it happen.”

Dana Bash:

“So just to be clear, I know you say that it would be the people who are criminals first, but then ultimately every undocumented immigrant in this country, even those who perhaps are deemed by their neighbors as contributing to society, or perhaps those who are married to American citizens, or legal immigrants. That's it. Children, adults, older people—they all should be gone?”

Senator-elect Jim Banks

“The American people spoke loud and clear on Tuesday. They gave this president and Republicans a mandate to do everything that we can. The goal should be to deport every illegal in this country that we can find…  So, you start with the violent criminals. Americans are counting on President Trump and Republicans to send them back to reduce violent crime in this country. But I think the goal has to be, and the American people expect it to be, to deport those who came here illegally.”

Dana Bash:

“And how does that work? I mean, that's a huge undertaking. How does that even actually work realistically”

Senator-elect Jim Banks

“No doubt about it. President Trump said yesterday that it could be costly, but the American people deserve it—to do everything that we can to return sanity back to this country.”

Dana Bash:

“Aside from—forgive me, but aside from the money, the money is one thing. But I'm talking about, like, how do—how does it work if you just pick Indiana, for example. How do you want the federal government to go about finding people and physically getting them out of the country”

Senator-elect Jim Banks

“I don't think this is that complicated. I spoke with a local sheriff in Indiana earlier today who's ready. Local law enforcement is ready to go to do what it takes to help with the mass deportation effort.”