Portrait of Steve Bannon
Politician · policy
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Steve Bannon on Immigration

Immigration freeze advocate (strong)

TL;DR

Steve Bannon advocates for a complete ten-year moratorium on all immigration, viewing current systems as irreparably corrupt and harmful to American workers.

Key Points

  • He publicly called for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents to surround polling sites for the 2026 midterm elections.

  • Bannon advocated for a ten-year moratorium on all immigration, asserting that systems for asylum and refugees are too corrupt to fix piecemeal.

  • He has previously argued that legal immigration programs, such as H-1B visas, are used by corporations to suppress wages and replace American workers.

Summary

Steve Bannon's core position on immigration is one of extreme restriction, calling for a complete freeze on all immigration into the United States for a decade, arguing that the existing refugee, asylum, and visa programs are fundamentally too corrupt to salvage with minor adjustments. He frequently targets the legal immigration system, specifically the H-1B visa program, claiming it suppresses wages and replaces American workers with cheaper foreign labor, sometimes describing it as a “total and complete scam.”

His hardline stance extends beyond curbing illegal immigration; he has also expressed views on the political implications of immigration, such as claiming that church bishops support illegal immigration to increase church attendance. Furthermore, he has advocated for aggressive enforcement measures, explicitly stating his desire to see immigration agents present at polling sites during elections to deter alleged voter fraud by undocumented individuals.

Key Quotes

“You're damn right we're gonna have ICE surround the polls come November.”

Frequently Asked Questions

Steve Bannon strongly opposes current immigration levels, both legal and illegal, arguing they negatively affect the wages and job opportunities of American workers. He has called for a complete stop to immigration for ten years to allow the perceived corruption within the system to be addressed.

He has been an outspoken critic of the H-1B visa program, labeling it a scam used by large corporations to bring in cheaper foreign labor. His proposed solution goes beyond ending the program by calling for a decade-long, broad immigration freeze.

Yes, he stated his intention to have ICE agents present at polling sites during the 2026 midterm elections, repeating false claims that undocumented people vote in large numbers. Election officials have voiced concerns that such a presence could intimidate legitimate voters.