Nick Begich has consistently opposed bipartisan immigration reform efforts, instead advocating for tougher border security measures and aligning with positions backed by former President Trump (NBC - 2 KTUU, 10/11/24).
Begich voted in favor of the Laken Riley Act, stating it would provide law enforcement with tools to detain and deport dangerous illegal immigrants, and described this as a step toward putting Americans first (NBC - 2 KTUU, 1/10/25).
He has voiced strong criticism of current immigration policies under the Biden Administration, describing the influx of migrants as "unsustainable" and stating that undocumented immigrants should be deported regardless of their contributions to Alaska's economy (Kodiak Daily Mirror, Fairbanks Daily News-Miner).
Begich supports smart, legal immigration and has argued that current policies disadvantage would-be legal immigrants while enabling undocumented entrants to receive public benefits (Alaska Dispatch News).
Although border security is a central campaign issue for Begich, as of September 2024 his official website did not provide specific policy solutions for securing the border, which could indicate a vulnerability or lack of transparency in his platform (NBC - 2 KTUU).
2024: Nick Begich Opposed Bi-Partisan Immigration Bill And Supported Tougher Border Controls According to NBC - 2 KTUU (Anchorage, Alaska), 'Begich, who is endorsed by former President Trump, said he would not have supported the bi-partisan immigration bill that later died in Congress after Trump told lawmakers he did not want to see it pass [...] "Upwards of 20 million people are in our nation illegally right now. That is unacceptable. These people are receiving free health care, free medical attention, free housing, free transportation, free education, and it's not free. We're paying for it," Begich said.' [NBC - 2 KTUU (Anchorage, Alaska), 10/11/24]
January 2025: Rep. Nick Begich Voted In Favor Of Laken Riley Act According to NBC - 2 KTUU, "Newly-elected Rep. Nick Begich, R-Alaska, voted in favor of the bill, saying in a statement that if passed, it would 'unwind years of failed immigration policies.'" [NBC - 2 KTUU, 1/10/25]
January 2025: Begich Stated Laken Riley Act Would Give Law Enforcement Tools To Address Dangerous Illegal Immigrants According to NBC - 2 KTUU, "Our vote today gives law enforcement the tools needed to apprehend and detain illegal immigrants who have proven to be a danger to our communities," Begich said. "This is the beginning of a Congress committed to putting the people of America first." [NBC - 2 KTUU, 1/10/25]
2022: Begich Criticized Current Immigration Policies and Supported Legal Entry According to Alaska Dispatch News, "Smart, legal immigration has fueled America's historic growth story; however, today's immigration policies are anything but smart and legal. Those valuable would-be citizens who could immediately contribute to our nation are placed in the back of the line, often waiting many years before applications can be reviewed and completed, while others who have illegally entered the country are provided with various forms of financial support and permitted to remain within the United States without any legal status. Porous borders undermine on important component of national security; we must ensure only legal entry to our nation is permitted." [Alaska Dispatch News, 8/6/22]
2022: Nick Begich Advocated For Smart Legal Immigration And Secure Borders According to Alaska Dispatch News, "Smart, legal immigration has fueled America's historic growth story; however, today's immigration policies are anything but smart and legal. Those valuable would-be citizens who could immediately contribute to our nation are placed in the back of the line, often waiting many years before applications can be reviewed and completed, while others who have illegally entered the country are provided with various forms of financial support and permitted to remain within the United States without any legal status. Porous borders undermine an important component of national security; we must ensure only legal entry to our nation is permitted." [Alaska Dispatch News, 8/7/22]
Nick Begich III Criticized Biden Administration On Immigration in 2024 According to Kodiak Daily Mirror, "We've seen that the Biden Administration is not serious in solving this problem. We've learned recently that the Biden Administration has flown nearly half a million people directly from their country of origin into the United States. [...] This influx is 'unsustainable, not good for the country,' said Begich." [Kodiak Daily Mirror, 6/4/24]
February 2025: Begich Took Hardline Stance On Deportation Of Undocumented Immigrants In Alaska According to Fairbanks Daily News-Miner, "In response to an audience question on how he would protect undocumented immigrants in Alaska who contribute to the state's economy, Begich took a hardline stance calling for the deportation of anyone without valid legal status. 'If you're in our nation without valid legal status, my view is that you need to be returned to your country of origin,' he said." [Fairbanks Daily News-Miner, 2/19/25]
2024: Begich Campaigned On Border Security And GOP Issues According to Anchorage Daily News (Alaska), "Both Begich and Dahlstrom are campaigning to return the seat to Republican control by highlighting popular issues among GOP voters, including border security." [Anchorage Daily News (Alaska), 6/2/24]
2024: Begich's Website Did Not List Border Or Tax Cut Solutions As Of September According to NBC - 2 KTUU, "Begich's website does not list any solutions regarding securing the border or cutting taxes referred to in the ad. This claim is yet to be proven." [NBC - 2 KTUU (Anchorage, Alaska), 9/27/24]