Perhaps i did not make myself clear, Dave. Border expansion is in the same category as gas chambers. It is not the first stage of fascism, it is the last! First you ned to prepare the grounds for it:

• neutralise the pesky intellectuals (hence the climate change denying and support of antivaxxers, anti-maskers, flat earthers and other anti-intellectual and conspiracy theory nuts);
• declare any kind of internal opposition (Antifa, BLM, political parties other than your own...) an "enemy";
• declare any ideas other than your own, and especially any protests, however peaceful, "extreme" and "radical";
• promote an armed, violent militia ("good people") and encourage them to intimidate the rest of the population;
• assume a full control of the media, legislation, judiciary and military;
• in short, create an environment where people do not dare to act, say or even think anything opposing you.

Then and only then can you proceed to the next stage - expand those things beyound your own borders.