State Senator Mark Baisley used a four-minute floor speech Monday to defend federal immigration enforcement and criticize elected officials who encourage interference with deportation operations. The Woodland Park Republican, who recently switched from the governor’s race to challenge U.S. Senator John Hickenlooper, detailed America’s legal immigration framework while condemning what he called “chaos” under previous border policies.
Baisley outlined the legal process admitting 1.2 million immigrants annually through background checks, economic assessments, and cultural integration planning. He argued immigration numbers must remain limited so newcomers “will assimilate into our culture more than they will bring the richness of their culture to ours.”
The senator referenced violent crimes by individuals who entered without vetting, including the Laken Riley case, and said he had “shocking statistics” displayed on screen. Voters gave the Trump administration a mandate “to correct the danger, the fear that happens right now and the fraud that we see” from border policies that disrespected “order that had been in place for decades,” according to Baisley.
He condemned elected leaders who encourage citizens to move beyond protest and “get involved in a legal law enforcement activity,” calling it “a horrible idea for everybody” that endangers both civilians and federal agents conducting deportations.
Baisley disclosed he spent significant childhood years living abroad, saying the experience taught him to “love America by having to live away from it.” He concluded: “We want the world to come here. We want them to come here in the right way.”
The Senate President interrupted to remind members not to speak from their seats during Baisley’s remarks, suggesting Democratic pushback. Baisley delivered the speech one day before his committee hearing on an unrelated state parks bill.
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