Rep. Ro Khanna has called for a bipartisan plan to address immigration reform, emphasizing the need to protect undocumented immigrants who contribute to the U.S. economy. His comments came amid constitutional questions around federal intervention in Los Angeles as officials resist court orders.
Khanna unequivocally condemned any political violence, vandalism, or harassment of law enforcement, highlighting that while some protesters in LA engaged in inappropriate behavior, the core issue remains the need for immigration reform that respects immigrants’ rights.
He criticized President Trump’s attempt to override Governor Gavin Newsom’s authority over the National Guard, arguing that this move damaged the principle of limited federal power. Khanna noted that Californians did not ask for the deployment of the National Guard, and the situation called for local and state law enforcement to restore order.
During a House Armed Services Committee hearing, Khanna asked Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth about his stance on obeying court rulings concerning potential National Guard deployments to Los Angeles. Hegseth initially refused to confirm if he would abide by a district court decision, only to later acknowledge that he would follow a Supreme Court ruling.
Khanna expressed concern over the executive administration’s disregard for checks and balances, urging leaders of both parties to prioritize constitutional principles and offer a commonsense plan for undocumented immigrants who pay taxes and work hard.
Khanna also highlighted the importance of creating a path to legalization for farmworkers, stating that an estimated 40% of the 2.4 million U.S. farmworkers lack legal status. He reiterated his support for the bipartisan ‘Farm Workforce Modernization Act,’ which aims to create a program for agricultural workers to earn legal status through continued employment.
He called for bipartisan legislation to support a path to legalization and citizenship for undocumented immigrants working in essential sectors such as farming, hotels, and restaurants, arguing that this step would help build social cohesion and foster a thriving nation where everyone can thrive.
Khanna concluded by emphasizing the importance of unity and finding common ground to strengthen democracy and position the U.S. as a model for the world, drawing inspiration from figures like Martin Luther King Jr., Mahat, and his own family’s history of hard work and patriotism.