The stage was set on CNN for a showdown as Stephen Miller, former White House Deputy Chief of Staff, took on anchor Jake Tapper in a battle of wits. Tapper, wielding a question that has been used so frequently it ought to be retired, asked if America doesn’t, in fact, need undocumented immigrants to pick crops. Tapper’s statistics claimed that over 40% of crop workers between 2020 and 2022 were undocumented, a figure about as surprising as finding out water is wet.
Miller, however, was not impressed. With all the flair of a magician pulling back the curtain, he illuminated the irony in thinking America should depend on illegal labor, especially when a secure and legal system for guest workers stands eager and ready in the wings. Miller questioned the notion that millions of illegal migrants, reportedly flooding in from nations like Venezuela, Haiti, and Nicaragua, are actually out tilling fields. Instead, he argued, they’re more likely to be found in cities, adding a heavy burden to social welfare systems rather than underpinning agricultural success.
Jake’s question was, apparently, not as golden as it might have seemed. The implication that Americans rely on each and every undocumented worker to keep food prices stable amused more than it informed. Americans want secure borders and efficient systems, not a rigged setup where bargain labor undercuts opportunities for citizens. The real punchline is the presumption that higher prices are avoided by turning a blind eye to illegal crossings and labor exploits.
Miller didn’t just brush off the old “we need them to pick crops” narrative. He tabled a longer-term vision, namely automation, which promises to free America from having these debates for good. Harnessing technology, after all, is another American ideal—and one that doesn’t compromise legal guidelines. Adjusting agricultural practices to embrace modern conveniences could be the most constructive way forward. All of this forward-thinking, while maintaining adherence to laws that don’t welcome open invitations to break them.
In direct opposition to inviting more undocumented folks, Miller made it crystal clear that enforcing immigration laws is a priority. While Tapper’s question harped on food prices, Miller reframed the conversation to emphasize national security, safety, and legal accountability. As this exchange illustrated, the broader issue isn’t as simple as the crops; it’s about principle, process, and ensuring that America, rooted in law and order, continues to sprout prosperity for its citizens. In typical conservative fashion, the solution involves less surrender and more sovereignty—without the static of age-old arguments.