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Rep. Byron Donalds forcefully rejected amnesty for illegal immigrants during an exchange with a reporter, saying he has never supported such a policy and warning that uncontrolled immigration is straining public services, undermining the rule of law, and empowering criminal cartels along the southern border.

The exchange began when a reporter pressed Donalds on where he stands on amnesty and immigration enforcement.

“Does congressman Donalds believe that we should grant amnesty? Most Americans want all illegal immigrants removed and look to include more vetted people who will contribute in the fields we need more help,” the reporter asked.

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Donalds responded by stating his position unequivocally, emphasizing the need for legal and orderly immigration.

“So let me be very clear, I do not support amnesty. I never have. I never will. What is our problem in the United States? Is clear. Number one, what happened the last four years well prior to this? Last year, the four years before that was unconscionable. There has to be orderly, legal immigration into the United States. Period,” Donalds said.

He criticized federal policies that he said have weakened enforcement and encouraged instability, including the misuse of asylum laws and restrictions on immigration enforcement.

“Weaponizing asylum rules, opening up casual release, using extended parole, not allowing ICE to do their job that they’re authorized to do under federal law, is not going to create stability and consistency in the United States, it is not assimilation. Is critical for our country. We are not interested in becoming Western Europe,” Donalds said.

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Donalds explained that his remarks on immigration are often taken out of context, noting that discussions about immigration policy can involve many hypothetical scenarios without implying support for amnesty.

“I think the premise of the question comes from an extended conversation I was having with a reporter at CPAC. Mind you about what are, what are all the possibilities that exist when we talk immigration writ large,” he said.

“So having, and you guys already get this from me, I have intellectually honest conversations. I don’t do clips and sound bites,” Donalds added.

He again rejected mass amnesty, arguing it would be unfair to legal immigrants and harmful to American communities.

“But do I support mass amnesty? No, I do not, because I think it’s wrong and I think it’s disrespectful of the people who came into this country the right way. They came into this country the right way,” Donalds said.

He said large-scale illegal immigration is overwhelming public systems and diverting resources meant for U.S. citizens.

“And what it actually does, it continues to overwhelm not just our border, but every public service in the United States. It overwhelms our emergency rooms for teachers that who might be in this room get overwhelmed. It overwhelms the classroom. It does,” he said.

Donalds cited examples of states using taxpayer-funded benefits for illegal immigrants, arguing those funds should be reserved for Americans.

“We see what’s happening in other states, but they were using they were using Medicaid dollars, snap dollars, etc. Those are resources that are for the American people. They’re for the American people,” he said.

He said compassion for migrants does not justify ignoring U.S. law or enabling criminal organizations.

“Do I have a heart for people who come from the third world who want to have a better life, of course, but that doesn’t mean you get to violate our laws, and it doesn’t mean that we allow the drug cartels and the coyotes to make billions of dollars trafficking people into the United States,” Donalds said.

Donalds also described what he said he personally witnessed during multiple visits to the southern border.

“I talked to a reporter the other day on Capitol Hill. I’ve been to the border five times five more than Kamala Harris. I wonder, in her retirement, if she made it to Paris,” he said.

He detailed scenes he said illustrate the dangers migrants face during their journey.

“Here’s what I saw. What I saw on the southern border. When you are in between the barrier between the United States and Mexico. What you see are empty pill holders littering the ground, as well as IDs in Mexico, most of them that are fake, literally littering the ground. That’s what you see,” Donalds said.

Donalds said criminal groups exploit migrants, particularly young women.

“We know the coyotes and the drug cartels give young girls Plan B. They give them plan B for the journey to our southern border, because they know that these young girls are going to be raped in the journey to our southern border,” he said.

He concluded by reaffirming that he will not support policies he believes enable such crimes.

“And if anybody in this room or in the state of Florida thinks that I will back any policy, including Amnesty, that will allow young girls to be raped by coyotes and drug cartels than you don’t know me,” Donalds said.

Donalds also addressed political attacks against him, explaining why he frequently engages with the media.

“I think my team said I’ve probably done 1500 interviews. And people say, Well, Byron, why do you do so many interviews? I do them because somebody in the political process has to explain conservatism to the United States of America,” he said.

He accused rivals of selectively editing his remarks to misrepresent his views.

“What happens is they are now scouring the internet, scouring YouTube, looking for any 10 seconds that they can clip together, throw it in social media and say, CCC, that’s what he truly believes,” Donalds said.

He urged voters to consider his full remarks rather than short clips.

“Now stop. I tell people, play the whole team. Don’t cherry pick,” Donalds said.

“That’s why we do these events. So you hear directly from me, all right,” he added.

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