Electric Vehicle Mandates Collapsing as Border Crisis Worsens

On January 11, 2024, Jessica Vaughan, Andrew Arthur, Lauren Fix, and Karen Levine joined the show. Vaughan exposes how Biden’s catch-and-release policies have created a humanitarian crisis, with migrants trapped in debt bondage to cartels and states left to fund unfunded mandates for shelter and services Arthur explains that Biden advisors view immigration law as discriminatory and deliberately ignore congressional limits to bring in as many.

Border Crisis Fuels Human Trafficking

Start listening at 33:17 – Hour 1

Jessica Vaughan, Director of Policy Studies for the Center for Immigration Studies, exposes the devastating consequences of the Biden administration’s open border policies. The unprecedented influx of illegal immigration has created what Vaughan describes as a massive unfunded mandate on states to provide shelter, healthcare, and schooling for migrants. More disturbing is the human cost: criminal cartels now control the smuggling trade, operating with impunity while migrants find themselves trapped in debt bondage.

Vaughan explains that smugglers advertising Biden’s catch-and-release policies are bringing in migrants who must work off their smuggling fees, which run into thousands of dollars. Their families face threats, and they remain beholden to cartel criminal enterprises for years. January marks National Human Trafficking Prevention Month, yet the administration does nothing to stem the flow. States are not helpless, Vaughan notes, pointing to Florida and South Carolina leading efforts to expand E-Verify, crack down on smuggling, and enforce identity theft laws.

“We are seeing migrants caught in very unfortunate circumstances where they have pretty much sold themselves to the criminal cartels that control the border, control the smuggling trade, and increasingly are setting up operations within the United States to further their criminal enterprises.”

Jessica Vaughan, Director of Policy Studies, Center for Immigration Studies

Immigration Law Viewed as Discriminatory

Start listening at 47:18 – Hour 1

Andrew Arthur, Resident Fellow in Law and Policy at the Center for Immigration Studies, reveals the ideological underpinnings of the administration’s border policies. The Biden team views immigration law as discriminatory, a relic of a bygone age that can be dispensed with at will. Arthur cites a New York Times article acknowledging that Democratic politicians favor higher levels of immigration than federal law allows, driven by what they call a humanitarian case for allowing poor people to improve their lives by moving to the United States.

The consequences are being felt in communities nationwide. Arthur notes that 70 percent of Americans disapprove of Biden’s immigration and border policy according to CBS polling. The courts have made clear this issue must be resolved by political branches, making congressional action and voter engagement critical. Impeachment of Secretary Mayorkas, Arthur explains, is one of the few constitutional tools Congress has to address executive overreach.

“The courts have made it clear, you know, this is one of those issues that needs to be resolved by the political branches. There’s been a lot of discussion about the impeachment of Secretary Mayorkas by the House Homeland Security Committee. And, you know, people have derided that as a stunt. But the Supreme Court made clear in a recent decision, Texas versus United States, that impeachment is actually one of the few tools that Congress has if it wants to stop this.”

Andrew Arthur, Resident Fellow in Law and Policy, Center for Immigration Studies

Germany Abandons Electric Vehicle Mandates

Start listening at 75:24 – Hour 2

Lauren Fix, known as the Car Coach, delivers striking news from Germany where EV subsidies have ended and the country’s leading automotive analyst has admitted complete defeat. Professor Ferdinand Dudenhofer declared that EVs are finished in Germany, advising people not to write off combustion engines. Fix reports that New Zealand has also ended EV subsidies and France has reduced theirs, signaling a global retreat from forced electrification.

Hertz rental car company is selling 20,000 electric vehicles because customers refuse to rent them. Fix describes visiting airports worldwide where Teslas sit unwanted while customers request gasoline vehicles. The free market is speaking: consumers recognize EVs as inferior products with high costs, reduced utility, and hidden environmental impacts. German automakers remain committed to electrification at the Consumer Electronics Show, but when asked what happens if customers refuse to buy, they admit they will reassess.

Fix also warns about kill switches mandated for 2026 vehicles under Section 24220 of the 2021 Infrastructure Bill. Advanced Impaired Driving Prevention Technology will monitor drivers through cameras and microphones, capable of pulling vehicles over based on perceived stress or distraction. Comments are open through March 5th at regulations.gov under NHTSA-2022-0079.

“Professor Dudenhofer said, that’s it for electric vehicles in Germany. It’s good if you haven’t written off combustion engines. I was entirely wrong on the fatherland. I give the guy credit for admitting that he was wrong.”

Lauren Fix, Car Coach Reports

Colorado Real Estate and Legislative Threats

Start listening at 65:08 – Hour 2

Karen Levine, RE/MAX Alliance Realtor, discusses the intersection of real estate and policy as the Colorado legislature prepares to introduce an estimated 700 bills in 120 days. Many of these threaten property ownership through rent control, transfer fees, and onerous landlord regulations. The Colorado Association of Realtors Legislative Policy Committee faces a busy session defending property rights.

Despite challenges, Levine reports an active market with 35 properties going pending and 10 new listings in recent days. She encourages buyers not to wait for rate decreases, noting that lower rates bring more competition and higher prices. When rates drop, buyers can refinance at minimal cost. Levine also reflects on due process being under attack, with operatives embedded throughout daily life, offering hope that truth will emerge through faith and perseverance.

“I think the journey that this individual or individuals have been on definitely sheds light on the fact that due process is under attack and that, as you call them, Kim, operatives are in every aspect of our daily living.”

Karen Levine, RE/MAX Alliance Realtor