By Gloria Ogbonna
Washington, DC — Sen. Tim Sheehy (R-MT) on Wednesday spotlighted controversial claims made in a newly released political book alleging that foreign governments are exploiting U.S. immigration policy to advance their own strategic interests.
Speaking during a policy forum hosted by Breitbart News, Sheehy referenced arguments from The Invisible Coup: How American Elites and Foreign Powers Use Migration as a Weapon, authored by investigative writer Peter Schweizer. The book, released in January, claims that countries such as China and Mexico have taken advantage of weaknesses in U.S. immigration law to influence American institutions and politics.
Schweizer’s book has drawn attention for alleging that migration flows, birthright citizenship, and lax enforcement mechanisms are being strategically leveraged by foreign powers to gain long-term influence inside the United States.
“Pro-Legal Immigration, Anti-Abuse”
In a conversation with Breitbart News Washington Bureau Chief Matthew Boyle, Sheehy emphasized that he supports legal immigration and the economic benefits it brings to the country.
“I’ll start by saying I’m pro-immigration. I’m pro-legal immigration,” Sheehy said. “America was built by people who came here legally, worked hard, and created opportunities. We want talented, hardworking individuals who share our values and want to build businesses and strengthen our nation.”
However, the Montana senator drew a firm distinction between lawful immigration and what he described as systemic abuse of immigration pathways. He argued that both foreign actors and domestic political forces have manipulated the system for ideological or geopolitical goals.
“Unfortunately, that system has been abused,” Sheehy said, criticizing what he described as policies that encourage large-scale, poorly regulated migration.
Birthright Citizenship Debate
One of the book’s most contentious claims centers on birth tourism — the practice of foreign nationals traveling to the U.S. to give birth so their children automatically receive American citizenship under the Fourteenth Amendment.
In The Invisible Coup, Schweizer alleges that some affluent Chinese families have used birthright citizenship policies strategically, raising American-born children in China before those individuals later return to the United States as adults.
The book claims that more than one million Chinese citizens with U.S. citizenship could soon participate in American elections a statistic that has fueled political debate.
Sheehy addressed accusations that Republican critiques of birthright citizenship are racially motivated, rejecting such characterizations.
“We need to make sure our messaging is clear,” he said. “This isn’t about race. It’s about protecting the integrity of our system while still welcoming people who want to come here legally and contribute positively.”
Constitutional Interpretation
Sheehy also pointed to the historical origins of birthright citizenship, noting that it was codified in 1868 through the Fourteenth Amendment following the Civil War. He argued that the amendment’s language particularly the phrase “subject to the jurisdiction thereof” was never intended to function as an unrestricted guarantee for anyone born on U.S. soil regardless of their parents’ legal status.
“Just being born here is not enough,” Sheehy said. “You also have to be subject to the jurisdiction of the United States. That’s an important distinction that needs to be discussed seriously.”
Legal scholars remain divided on that interpretation, with many constitutional experts maintaining that long-standing precedent supports broad application of birthright citizenship.
Allegations of Fraud and Foreign Influence
Sheehy further criticized instances of alleged fraud tied to federally funded programs, referencing cases in Minnesota involving childcare and education facilities accused of misusing public funds.
While not directly tied to national immigration policy, the senator argued that such cases illustrate broader vulnerabilities within federal oversight systems.
“What we don’t support is bad actors exploiting the system — whether that’s through fraud, fake businesses, or acting as agents of foreign governments,” he said.
Ongoing Political Flashpoint
The broader debate over immigration policy remains one of the most polarizing issues in American politics. Advocates for stricter enforcement argue that border security and citizenship laws must be tightened to protect national interests.
Immigration reform supporters counter that legal pathways should be modernized and humanitarian protections expanded while maintaining constitutional guarantees.
Schweizer’s book has intensified that debate, bringing renewed attention to questions about national security, sovereignty, and the long-term political effects of migration.
As the 2026 political cycle continues to unfold, immigration particularly birthright citizenship and border enforcement is expected to remain at the center of policy discussions in Washington.
Source Breitbart
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