The second night of the Republican National Convention (RNC) was filled with dramatic claims and contentious rhetoric. From accusations of a Democratic plot to manipulate migrants into voters to invoking divine intervention to protect former President Donald Trump, the statements made were as bold as they were misleading. In this fact-checking breakdown, we’re diving into the claims made by Kari Lake, Nikki Haley, and others about President Joe Biden’s immigration policies.
Kari Lake’s False Claim: Gallego and the Voter Fraud Conspiracy
Claim: “Just last week, Ruben Gallego voted to let the millions of people who poured into our country illegally cast a ballot in this upcoming election.”
Fact-Check: False. U.S. Rep. Ruben Gallego did not vote to allow non-citizens to vote in the 2024 election. Federal law already bans non-citizens from voting in federal elections. Gallego opposed the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility Act, which sought to impose stricter documentary proof of citizenship for voter registration. Gallego argued this bill would create barriers for legal voters rather than facilitating fraud.
Key Takeaway: Gallego’s stance was about ensuring access to voting rather than enabling illegal voting.
Learn more about Ruben Gallego’s voting record
Steve Scalise’s Misleading Border Claims
Claim: “On the border, Biden and Harris opened it up to the entire world. Prisons are being emptied.”
Fact-Check: False. The U.S. southern border is not “open” as claimed by Scalise. Contrary to these assertions, there are numerous physical barriers, surveillance technologies, and thousands of Border Patrol agents enforcing U.S. immigration laws. The idea that prisons are being emptied or that foreign countries are intentionally sending prisoners to the U.S. lacks evidence.
Key Takeaway: The border remains heavily regulated, and there is no evidence supporting claims of prisons being emptied.
Read more about the U.S. border enforcement
Nikki Haley’s Misconception: Harris’s Role as “Border Czar”
Claim: “Kamala had one job, one job. And that was to fix the border.”
Fact-Check: Mostly False. While Nikki Haley claims Kamala Harris was designated as the “border czar,” her role was primarily to address the root causes of migration in Central America rather than manage the U.S. border directly. Biden assigned Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas to handle border security and management.
Key Takeaway: Harris’s role was focused on diplomatic and developmental strategies, not direct border management.
Explore Kamala Harris’s official duties
Tom Cotton’s Claim on Migrant Welfare: A Closer Look
Claim: “Joe Biden gave migrants welfare, free hotels.”
Fact-Check: Mostly False. Most migrants in the U.S. illegally are not eligible for federal benefits like welfare or free hotel stays. While some emergency services for migrants are funded through FEMA, this practice predates the Biden administration and is part of a broader humanitarian effort.
Key Takeaway: The provision of services to migrants has historical precedent and is part of a larger support system.
Find out more about migrant support services
Anne Fundner’s Claim on Fentanyl Deaths
Claim: “We have seen the highest number of fentanyl deaths during the Biden-Harris administration.”
Fact-Check: True. Fentanyl overdose deaths have indeed increased, continuing a trend from previous administrations. The Biden administration has faced scrutiny for the ongoing opioid crisis, but the rise in fentanyl deaths is a complex issue with roots extending back over several administrations.
Key Takeaway: While the increase in fentanyl deaths is accurate, attributing it solely to current policies oversimplifies the issue.
Read more on the opioid crisis
Summary of Claims from RNC Day 2
Here’s a quick rundown of the Day 2 claims from the RNC:
- Kari Lake: False claims about Ruben Gallego’s voting record.
- Steve Scalise: Misleading statements about border security and prison policies.
- Nikki Haley: Exaggeration of Kamala Harris’s role in border management.
- Tom Cotton: Overstated claims about migrant welfare benefits.
- Anne Fundner: Accurate observation of rising fentanyl deaths.
Understanding these facts helps cut through the noise of partisan rhetoric. While it’s crucial to scrutinize all political statements, focusing on the actual evidence and context offers a clearer view of the issues at hand.
Final Thoughts
The second night of the RNC was marked by a range of claims about Biden’s immigration policies, with many statements falling short of the truth. Fact-checking these claims reveals a mix of misleading rhetoric and genuine concerns that need to be addressed through informed discussion rather than sensationalism.
