JD Vance Calls Unchecked Immigration the Greatest Threat to the West

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Key Takeaways

Vice President Vance reported a 90% decrease in U.S. border crossings due to stricter enforcement and terrorism designations.
Migrant criminal groups, including MS-13, were classified as foreign terrorist organizations to curb illegal immigration and associated threats.
Vance criticized European immigration policies as threatening sovereignty and urged prioritizing secure borders and free speech.

Vice President JD Vance delivered a strong keynote address at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) on February 20, 2025, in National Harbor, Maryland. During his speech, Vance highlighted what he sees as the most pressing danger to Western nations: mass, unvetted migration. Vance made it clear that he believes Europe and the United States face significant risks from unchecked immigration, pointing to what he sees as poor decision-making by Western leaders who, in his words, “send millions and millions of unvetted foreign migrants into their countries.”

Calling immigration “the greatest threat” facing Europe today, Vance tied the issue directly to challenges the United States faces, although he suggested that recent actions by the Trump administration have altered the immediate threat level in America. “The greatest threat in Europe, and I would say it was the greatest threat in the United States until about 30 days ago, is uncontrolled immigration,” he stated. Adding a note of caution, Vance warned that a return to previous Democratic leadership could undo these recent changes, reviving policies he believes were detrimental to the United States.

JD Vance Calls Unchecked Immigration the Greatest Threat to the West

A Clear Shift in U.S. Immigration Policy

Vance’s comments follow the Trump administration’s impactful first month of its second term. According to the Vice President, border crossings have already decreased by more than 90%. This significant drop, Vance said, is a result of recent measures aimed at halting illegal immigration, including tougher border enforcement and new designations for criminal organizations. In January, President Trump classified migrant criminal groups like Tren de Aragua and MS-13 as foreign terrorist organizations, a move intended to target criminal activity tied to migration.

Speaking to these groups directly during his CPAC address, Vance said, “Get the hell out of our country because your free ride is over … you’re not welcome.” These comments reinforced the administration’s hardline stance, which prioritizes the removal of criminal threats alongside broader immigration enforcement.

A Broader Message for Western Leaders

Vance’s CPAC speech echoed themes he discussed just one week earlier at the Munich Security Conference. That event featured Vance addressing European leaders, criticizing their immigration policies, as well as what he characterized as restrictions on free speech. At both events, Vance argued that Western nations face internal threats, such as a failure to uphold fundamental values like national sovereignty and free speech, rather than only external threats like Russia or China.

At Munich, Vance specifically called out what he viewed as a “retreat” from European principles. He said, “The threat that I worry most about vis-a-vis Europe is not Russia, not China, it’s not any other external actor. What I worry about is the threat from within.” While delivering this criticism, Vance also urged European leaders to let people openly express frustrations with policies, including immigration. “You have to give the populations of the world the opportunity to speak up and say, ‘No more of this BS. We want borders. We want sovereignty. We want to be able to speak our own mind in our own country,'” Vance said.

Vance also made a sharp comment about the prior administration, blaming President Biden for significant harm to free speech in both the United States and Europe. “The Biden administration did more to destroy free speech, not just in the United States, but also in Europe than any administration in American history,” he argued. He urged European leaders to adopt policies that, in his view, restore free speech while emphasizing secure borders and national independence, pointing to the Trump administration as an example they should follow.

Additional Policies Highlighted at CPAC

Although the focus of Vance’s speech was immigration, he also outlined other key priorities of the administration. One of these included the creation of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), a newly established office tasked with cutting unnecessary government expenses and addressing wasteful spending. Using examples to criticize the last administration, Vance mentioned “progressive, modern art projects centered around toilets in Afghanistan,” which he described as symbolic of previous poor spending priorities.

Additionally, he reiterated the Trump administration’s commitment to restoring energy dominance while protecting American families’ future. Linking these objectives to immigration policies, Vance said that all of these measures boil down to a single goal: “We want your children and grandchildren to be able to raise a family in security and comfort in the country that we all love.”

These statements tie immigration to broader themes of national prosperity and security, with Vance suggesting that unregulated migration threatens the stability of American families. By connecting topics like budget cuts and energy policy with border security, the administration appears to view immigration policy not as an isolated issue, but part of a larger strategy to strengthen the nation.

Mixed Responses Domestically and Abroad

Reaction to Vance’s speech within the CPAC audience was highly positive, with attendees standing to applaud when he referenced his Munich Security Conference address. The reception overseas, however, has been somewhat different. European leaders at the Munich Conference reportedly responded less favorably to Vance’s sharp critique of their immigration policies and governance. Such differences may foreshadow challenges in aligning the Trump administration’s priorities with those of European allies, particularly with respect to migration and security.

While the Trump administration shows no signs of stepping back from its strong stance on immigration, the Vice President’s approach to diplomacy has invited discussion. By framing mass migration as the “greatest threat” to Western nations, Vance has drawn attention not only to differences between policy approaches in Europe and the United States but also to the potential strain those differences may add to transatlantic relations. His comments at these two major conferences suggest immigration debates will play a significant role in U.S.-Europe discussions during this term.

Immigration: A Polarizing Issue

Critics of Vance and the Trump administration’s immigration policies argue that positioning immigrants as a central threat oversimplifies the problem and can unfairly stigmatize communities. The narrative of migrants as threats raises questions about how these policies, particularly the designation of certain migrant groups as terrorist organizations, will impact global perceptions of the United States.

Domestically, the immigration crackdown has already sparked debate. While supporters view the recent 90% drop in border crossings as evidence of successful reform, detractors may point out the risks of over-aggressive strategies, including potential humanitarian concerns. Internationally, Vance’s CPAC remarks also highlight the potential for diplomatic conflicts with allies who disagree on migration management.

Looking Ahead: Balancing Policy and Relationships

Vice President JD Vance’s CPAC address underscores the Trump administration’s unwavering focus on immigration as a cornerstone of its broader agenda. By addressing mass migration as a culturally and economically significant issue—and one that he views as central to preserving national security—Vance reaffirmed the administration’s campaign promises. His strategy of framing migration as a primary concern could resonate with supporters who prioritize border control.

At the same time, the hardline stance puts pressure on international diplomacy. Nations with contrasting immigration policies may be wary of adopting approaches similar to those implemented in the United States. Whether through executive orders, partnerships, or public speeches, the administration appears committed to placing immigration at the center of both domestic and foreign policy conversations.

In sum, Vance’s speech at CPAC emphasized mass migration as a major challenge, offering a stark portrayal of its risks while calling for stricter measures to maintain sovereignty and protect future generations. How these policies evolve and their effects—both domestically and abroad—remain critical areas to watch. For additional information about official U.S. immigration processes, visit the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services website.

Learn Today

Mass, unvetted migration → Large-scale movement of people across borders without thorough background checks or verification processes.
National sovereignty → A nation’s ability to govern itself independently, including control over its borders and policies.
Foreign terrorist organizations → Groups officially labeled as terrorist entities by governments due to their involvement in criminal or violent activities.
Munich Security Conference → An annual international forum where leaders discuss global security and political issues, including migration and threats.
Border enforcement → Policies and actions taken to regulate and secure a country’s borders from unauthorized crossings or illegal activities.

This Article in a Nutshell

Vice President JD Vance’s CPAC speech spotlighted mass, unvetted migration as today’s greatest threat to Western nations. Linking immigration to security and sovereignty, he heralded a 90% drop in U.S. border crossings under recent policies. Vance’s hardline stance resonated domestically but sparked international debate, underscoring migration’s role in shaping global diplomacy.
— By VisaVerge.com