Overview of “Weaponized Migration” — Morning Wire (Daily Wire)
This episode of Morning Wire features investigative journalist Peter Schweizer (president of the Government Accountability Institute) discussing his book The Invisible Coup: How American Elites and Foreign Powers Use Immigration as a Weapon. Schweizer argues that migration is being deliberately deployed by foreign governments, criminal networks, and foreign-connected actors to influence U.S. politics, policy, and national security — from visa programs to birthright citizenship to consular activism.
Key takeaways
- Migration is being "weaponized": foreign states, criminal organizations, and political actors are actively shaping flows of people to influence U.S. politics and policy.
- Drug cartels profit more from human smuggling than drugs and are building political influence networks that reach into North American progressive movements.
- The EB-5 investor-visa program has been exploited to bring foreign capital and permanent-resident status into the U.S., which can legally translate into political donations and influence.
- China is alleged to have systematically exploited birthright citizenship and surrogacy (“instant citizens”) to produce U.S. citizens raised in China who could later affect U.S. politics.
- Mexico uses an extensive consular network and migrant-targeted messaging (e.g., “Migrant TV”) to mobilize migrants politically inside the U.S.; Schweizer cites evidence of consular involvement in political organizing.
- These tactics create significant national security risks: voting influence, campaign funding, infiltration of government jobs, and foreign-directed political organizing on U.S. soil.
Topics discussed (high-level)
- Cartel influence and collaboration with progressive organizations/movements.
- EB-5 investor-visa program vulnerabilities and political donation implications.
- Birthright citizenship exploitation, birth tourism, and surrogacy arrangements tied to foreign powers (particularly China).
- Mexican consular activities, migrant-targeted media, and alleged political mobilization to affect U.S. elections.
- Legal and policy challenges to restricting political activity by permanent residents and reform options.
Evidence and examples cited
- Cartels: Schweizer claims cartels are politically active and collaborating with progressive Latin American and North American networks (he references an organization called Progressive International).
- EB-5: The investor-visa program (EB-5) grants permanent residency for qualifying investments; Schweizer says it has been used to channel foreign money into U.S. political influence and names a lobbyist later declared a Chinese spy by a Senate committee (from his book/interview).
- Birthright/surrogacy: Cites Chinese government estimates and reporting (including Wall Street Journal reporting) claiming extensive birth tourism and surrogacy use to produce U.S. citizens who return to China; cites Southern California data of Chinese-owned surrogacy companies specializing in these services.
- Mexico/consulates: Asserts Mexico operates 53 consulates in the U.S. (far more than other countries) and references a transcript from a 2024 Oklahoma City meeting where Mexican diplomats and Democratic activists discussed electoral strategy and turnout efforts.
Note: The transcript contains some name and term misspellings; the visa program discussed is EB-5, and the guest is Peter Schweizer (spelling corrected here).
National security implications highlighted
- Long-term electoral influence: Children born in the U.S. to foreign elites (and raised abroad) retain voting rights and could be mobilized decades later.
- Political donations and lobbying: Permanent residents from abroad can legally donate to campaigns; Schweizer argues this can be exploited to inject foreign influence covertly.
- Infiltration of institutions: Citizenship or residency pathways could enable foreign actors or their proxies to hold government jobs or other strategic positions over time.
- Consular and diaspora mobilization: Foreign governments may use consulates and targeted media to radicalize or politicize diaspora communities on U.S. soil.
Policy recommendations and possible responses (from the discussion)
- Increase transparency and disclosure: Require clearer disclosure when large campaign donations originate from foreign-born permanent residents or EB-5-derived investors.
- Reassess EB-5 and similar programs: Reform or more tightly regulate investor-visa programs that can be used for foreign influence (EB-5 was noted to sunset in 2026).
- Track and investigate birth tourism/surrogacy trends: Improve data collection on births tied to foreign nationals and surrogacy arrangements and evaluate national-security risks.
- Monitor consular activities: Greater scrutiny of foreign diplomatic networks’ domestic activities, particularly when tied to political organizing.
- Legal constraints are difficult: Courts (Citizens United precedent) complicate banning political activity by residents; transparency and enforcement are emphasized as more feasible steps.
Notable quotes and framing
- “It’s not just something that bubbles up occasionally here… it’s actually something that is walking around in our halls of Congress.”
- “This is a sophisticated war form of invasion or subversion. This is not organic… it’s weaponized immigration.”
- “When they turn 18, they’re going to be able to vote. They’re going to be able to donate to political campaigns. They’re going to be able to get government jobs.”
Bottom line
Schweizer frames modern migration not only as a socioeconomic issue but as a deliberate geopolitical tool used by foreign states, criminal networks, and transnational actors. He calls for greater transparency, scrutiny of visa and birthright pathways, and awareness of how foreign-directed migration can translate into political influence and national-security risk over time.
Topics to watch / further reading
- EB-5 program reforms and sunset status (2026).
- Investigations or reporting on birth tourism, surrogacy, and cross-border birthright strategies.
- Official reviews of consular activities and migrant-targeted government media (e.g., Mexico’s outreach).
- Relevant court cases and legislative proposals addressing disclosure, campaign finance, and immigration-related national-security safeguards.