EXCLUSIVE — A nonprofit issue advocacy group with ties to House leadership is launching a nearly $2 million ad campaign in 16 districts across the country that urges Congress to fight for stricter border security measures.

The $1.8 million ad buy, set to begin airing on Friday, was placed by the American Action Network, a sister group of the Congressional Leadership Fund, which is closely aligned with Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA). The ads specifically focus on the border and advocate policies in H.R. 2, the House border security bill that would end the practice of “catch and release,” reinstate the Trump-era “Remain in Mexico” policy, and resume border wall construction.

The focus on immigration comes as illegal border crossings reach record numbers. In December alone, more than 302,000 migrants were documented attempting to cross into the United States.

The 16 districts include those of Reps. Juan Ciscomani (R-AZ), David Valadao (R-CA), and Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA).

“This morning, record numbers at the southern border. This isn’t sustainable. … Everybody is overwhelmed,” one ad says. “Every state in America is now a border state, national emergency; conservatives are taking action.”

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It urges constituents to call their representative and “tell him to keep fighting for America.”

The ad campaign is launching as Johnson draws a harder line on border security. On Sunday, during a member-only call, the speaker told his conference the House would reject whatever immigration compromise the Senate negotiators reach and that it would be dead on arrival in the House, effectively ending any chance that a border security measure will pass this Congress.