In a heated interview on NPR’s “Up First with Steve Inskeep,” Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (AOC) addressed the ongoing debate over illegal immigration and the lack of progress on immigration reform. When Inskeep pointed out that many voters feel Democrats are not serious about addressing the issue, AOC acknowledged the problem, criticizing both political parties for failing to act. She argued that Republicans are more interested in deporting undocumented people rather than creating a viable path to citizenship, which she believes is the root of the issue.

The conversation took a contentious turn when Inskeep pushed back, questioning the political fallout for Democrats on this issue. AOC insisted that providing a path to citizenship would be popular, citing the significant number of undocumented immigrants who originally entered the U.S. legally but overstayed their visas. She also expressed frustration with the lack of infrastructure to deal with deportations, accusing Republicans of instead creating a “private prison camp pipeline.”

Despite her arguments, Inskeep noted that illegal immigration continues to be a major concern for swing-state voters who feel it leads to chaos and lawlessness.