U.S. Rep. Don Young, left, and Alyse Galvin are shown prior to a debate Friday, Oct. 26, 2018, in Anchorage, Alaska. Galvin, an independent who won the Alaska Democratic primary, is challenging Young, a Republican who is the longest serving member of the House. (Mark Thiessen | Associated Press)

U.S. Rep. Don Young, left, and Alyse Galvin are shown prior to a debate Friday, Oct. 26, 2018, in Anchorage, Alaska. Galvin, an independent who won the Alaska Democratic primary, is challenging Young, a Republican who is the longest serving member of the House. (Mark Thiessen | Associated Press)

In debate, Rep. Young likens migrant caravan to invasion

Immigration was one of the hot-button issues in Friday night’s debate with independent Alyse Galvin

Republican U.S. Rep. Don Young likened the caravan of Central American migrants moving toward the U.S. border to an invasion during a debate in Alaska’s U.S. House race.

Immigration was one of the hot-button issues in Friday night’s debate with independent Alyse Galvin, along with climate change and charged political rhetoric. The debate, held in Anchorage, was aired across the state.

In response to a question about the migrants, Young said President Donald Trump is right: “This is an invasion,” he said.

Young said Congress hasn’t addressed immigration laws or built a wall on the Mexico border.

“But we have to recognize, this is a challenge to the people of the United States, and we’d better accept that challenge and say, You can’t be in the United States unless you’re legal,” he said. ” … This is about America.”

He said he’s not sure what will happen when the migrants reach the border. When they do, he said, it will be the “big, big enchilada.”

Young, who has a history of off-the-cuff or off-color comments, was asked if his use of that term was intentional. He said it was not. It’s another way of saying “the big one,” he said.

But Galvin used the moment to bring up Young’s use of a slur, years ago, in referring to migrant workers for which Young previously apologized.

Many of the migrants in the caravan are from Honduras, where poverty, gangs and violence are factors that cause many to leave.

Galvin said it’s important to reinforce the process in place for those truly seeking asylum. She said she would work toward a “comprehensive” immigration policy.

She did not directly answer whether a border wall should be built, saying work should be done first on “reinforcing our legal process that we have.”

Young said a wall has to be built unless there are better ideas. He said Congress needs to tackle immigration policy.

Throughout the debate, Young was more direct in his responses than Galvin, and he pointed out when he did not hear an answer from her.

The two differed on whether climate change is human-caused. Galvin said she believes it is tied to human activity. Young said he doesn’t believe that. He said climate change is being used “as an instrument to frighten people.”

Galvin said, as a representative, she would model civility and work toward solutions. Young said divisiveness cannot be solved by one person and reading the Bible would be helpful.

Young said he would not support impeaching Trump. Galvin said she wants to see the results of special counsel Robert Mueller’s investigation before making any sort of judgment on impeachment.

Young, 85, has held Alaska’s lone House seat since 1973. He is the longest-serving current member, earning the moniker “dean” of the House.

Young has touted his seniority and effectiveness. But Galvin counters that Alaskans are ready for a change.

Galvin is an education advocate who won the Democratic primary to challenge Young. If she is successful in the Nov. 6 election, she would be the first woman to represent Alaska in the House.

A forum last week between Young and Galvin at the Alaska Federation of Natives conference ended on an odd note. Video shows Galvin recoiling and saying, “That hurts,” as Young shakes her hand. He said he was sorry.

Galvin later called it a “cheap, bully stunt,” but said she wanted to focus on more substantive issues.

Young spokeswoman Murphy McCollough said by text that that was Young’s normal handshake and he did not intend to cause Galvin any pain.


• Becky Bohrer is a reporter for the Associated Press.


More in News

(Juneau Empire file photo)
Aurora forecast through the week of April 13

These forecasts are courtesy of the University of Alaska Fairbanks’ Geophysical Institute… Continue reading

Josh Chevalier, chief engineer of the MV Columbia, shows legislators the engine control room, and explains the control and monitoring systems on Tuesday, April 8, 2025. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire)
‘Out of sight, out of mind’: Engineers are the ones who keep state ferries moving

Challenges of workforce recruitment and retention persist in globally competitive maritime industry.

(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire file photo)
Police calls for Monday, April 14, 2025

This report contains public information from law enforcement and public safety agencies.

(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire file photo)
Police calls for Tuesday, April 15, 2025

This report contains public information from law enforcement and public safety agencies.

(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire file photo)
Police calls for Wednesday, April 16, 2025

This report contains public information from law enforcement and public safety agencies.

Gov. Mike Dunleavy (R-Alaska) speaks to reporters about his decision to veto an education funding bill at the Alaska State Capitol on Thursday, April 17, 2025. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire)
Dunleavy’s veto of education funding bill puts pressure on lawmakers during final month of session

Governor also previews new bill with $560 BSA increase, plus additional funds for policy initiatives.

Chalyee Éesh Richard Peterson, president of the Central Council of the Tlingit and Haida Indian Tribes of Alaska, takes questions from delegates at its 90th annual Tribal Assembly on Wednesday at Elizabeth Peratrovich Hall. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Large advances, challenges to Tlingit and Haida’s sovereignty highlighted in State of the Tribe address

Emergency response during last year’s record flood a landmark moment, but Trump’s policies a concern.

Flags fly outside the Juneau Arts and Culture Center on Tuesday, July 25, 2023, shortly before the Juneau Arts and Humanities Council’s 50-year anniversary celebration the same week. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)
Juneau Arts and Humanities Council bans DEI on ‘public facing documents’ due to funding threat

Executive director: No events cancelled, “racial equity” and other deleted website content being rewritten.

Most Read