Policy Priorities

  • SECURE THE BORDER
    A nation without borders is no nation at all. At one time, physical border barriers were considered a commonsense and bipartisan approach to securing our homeland. 

  • END HUMAN TRAFFICKING
    Human trafficking is extremely lucrative to those who seek to gain from enslaving others. It accounts for an estimated $150 billion in annual global profits and is far more prevalent than many realize. 

  • DEFEAT THE CARTELS
    The Mexican drug cartels are public enemy #1 to the American people and they are trafficking a record number of migrants and fentanyl across the southern border.

The America First Policy Institute’s (AFPI) Center for Homeland Security & Immigration is devoted to protecting the American people, American interests, and the American way of life. Our “America First” approach requires an immigration system that prioritizes border security and the value of citizenship, a strong and persistent counter-terrorism effort, resiliency of our critical physical and digital infrastructure, and agility in the face of ever-shifting foreign threats and influence.

As our world becomes more complex, so do the threats we face. Terrorism remains a global reality, and America’s ability to prevent attacks in the United States is only as strong as its weakest link at any given moment. America’s enemies no longer need to physically come to our shores to hurt us in the digital age. Threats that strike at the heart of our infrastructure—and, therefore, our civilization—can be achieved with the touch of a button from anywhere in the world. In some cases, these threats are sponsored or shielded by foreign governments; in some cases, they are foreign governments. While these threats are omnipresent, courageous leadership at all levels of government and society is essential for success and security.

Team

The Honorable Chad Wolf

Executive Vice President, Chief Strategy Officer & Chair of AFPI’s Center for Homeland Security & Immigration

Cooper Smith

Director of Communications and Advisor to the Center for Homeland Security and Immigration

Kristen Ziccarelli

Director of Production and Senior Policy Analyst, Center for Homeland Security and Immigration

Latest

Op-Ed | May 8, 2025

Not All Immigration is Equal

In an age where information is abundant but wisdom is scarce, the national conversation around immigration has been overwhelmed by selective storytelling and misleading narratives. Too often, we are told that all immigration is the same — that every migrant is an asylum-seeker coming to the United States to seek a better life, all immigration benefits the country, and concern over border security and simply enforcing our laws equates to being anti-immigrant.

Op-Ed | May 7, 2025

The Diversity Visa Lottery Leaves Immigration Up to Chance. End It.

Two questions dominating the immigration debate for decades can be summed up as: who should America allow in, and how many should come? There are unlimited answers to these two questions, but the most unreasonable and irresponsible response would be for our government to leave it up to random chance.
Op-Ed | May 6, 2025

Empower the Border Patrol with the Technology it Needs

In mere weeks, the Border Patrol achieved President Donald Trump’s goal of bringing security and operational control along the southern border.
Statement | April 17, 2025

Bob Unanue & Chad Wolf Reject Political Hypocrisy & the Open Border Policies of the Left

Today, the America First Policy Institute (AFPI) issued the following statement from Bob Unanue, Chair of the AFPI’s Hispanic Leadership Coalition, and Chad Wolf, Executive Vice President and Chair of the Center for Homeland Security and Immigration:

Statement | April 15, 2025

AFPI Congratulates Daniel Noboa on Presidential Election Victory in Ecuador

Today, the America First Policy Institute (AFPI) released the following statement from Chad Wolf, Chair of the Center for Homeland Security & Immigration (CHSI) and Josh Trevino, Senior Fellow at the Western Hemisphere Initiative (WHI) regarding Ecuadorian President Daniel Noboa’s re-election to a second term.

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Topics

Type

Op-Ed | Center for Homeland Security and Immigration

Not All Immigration is Equal

Cooper Smith May 8, 2025
Op-Ed | Center for Homeland Security and Immigration

The Diversity Visa Lottery Leaves Immigration Up to Chance. End It.

The Honorable Chad Wolf May 7, 2025
Op-Ed | Center for Homeland Security and Immigration

Empower the Border Patrol with the Technology it Needs

The Honorable Chad Wolf May 6, 2025
Statement | Center for Homeland Security and Immigration

Bob Unanue & Chad Wolf Reject Political Hypocrisy & the Open Border Policies of the Left

The Honorable Chad Wolf , Bob Unanue April 17, 2025
Statement | Center for Homeland Security and Immigration

AFPI Congratulates Daniel Noboa on Presidential Election Victory in Ecuador

The Honorable Chad Wolf , Joshua Treviño April 15, 2025
Issue Brief | Center for Homeland Security and Immigration

Unfettered Illegal Immigration’s Crushing Burden on New Jersey

Richard Maher April 14, 2025
Statement | Center for Homeland Security and Immigration

Former Acting Secretary Chad Wolf Applauds Supreme Court Upholding Use of Alien Enemies Act

The Honorable Chad Wolf April 7, 2025
Op-Ed | Center for Homeland Security and Immigration

Privatize the TSA: 3 steps to better service and enhanced security

The Honorable Chad Wolf March 27, 2025
Fact Sheet | Center for Homeland Security and Immigration

Combating the Impacts of Illegal Immigration in New Jersey

America First Policy Institute January 27, 2025
Fact Sheet | Center for Homeland Security and Immigration

Ensuring a Legal Workforce in North Carolina

America First Policy Institute January 27, 2025

Videos

Center Events

See All Events

Combating Fentanyl - The America First Action Plan

July 13, 2023 Fort Worth, Texas

America First National Security Symposium

March 23, 2023 Fort Worth, Texas

AFPI Speaker Series: The Systematic Dismantling of American Border Security ft. Rep. Jim Jordan

May 19, 2023 Fort Worth, Texas

Other Centers

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America First New Jersey

Farmers First Agenda

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