Sen. John Kennedy Slams Biden Immigration Policy

Republican senator accuses administration of allowing "millions" of illegal border crossings.

Mar. 20, 2026 at 11:42pm

Sen. John Kennedy, a Republican from Louisiana, has delivered a scathing critique of the Biden administration's immigration policies, accusing officials of ignoring a "massive surge" of illegal border crossings. Kennedy framed the issue as a matter of national security and border enforcement, reflecting ongoing Republican criticism that the current administration has failed to control the southern border.

Why it matters

Immigration remains one of the most politically charged issues heading into the next election cycle, with lawmakers on both sides using strong rhetoric to energize their bases. Kennedy's comments are the latest example of how sharply divided the conversation has become, as debates over border security, asylum policy, and federal enforcement continue to dominate headlines.

The details

During remarks that quickly went viral online, Kennedy said critics of his position must be out of touch with reality. "You've been smoking a doobie if you ignore that Joe Biden admitted millions of people into our country illegally," Kennedy said. The Louisiana senator, known for his sharp one-liners and folksy style, framed the issue as a matter of national security and border enforcement. His comments reflect ongoing Republican criticism that the administration has failed to control the southern border.

  • On March 21, 2022, Kennedy made the remarks during a confirmation hearing for Supreme Court nominee Ketanji Brown Jackson before the Senate Judiciary Committee.

The players

Sen. John Kennedy

A Republican senator from Louisiana known for his sharp one-liners and folksy style.

Joe Biden

The current President of the United States, whose immigration policies have faced criticism from Republicans like Kennedy.

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What they’re saying

“You've been smoking a doobie if you ignore that Joe Biden admitted millions of people into our country illegally.”

— Sen. John Kennedy, Republican Senator from Louisiana

The takeaway

Kennedy's comments reflect the ongoing partisan divide over immigration policy, with Republicans accusing the Biden administration of failing to secure the southern border and Democrats defending their approach to managing migration through a combination of enforcement, legal pathways, and international cooperation.