Biden Urges Deal on Border Control, Blames GOP for Migration Issues
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is considering implementing a policy that would shut down illegal border crossings if the number of migrant encounters surpasses certain thresholds, with a person familiar with the matter indicating that the border could close if daily averages exceed 5,000 or if there is a one-day total of over 8,500 migrants. The border would remain closed until illegal crossings drop to approximately 2,000 for two consecutive weeks. This policy comes amid calls from House Speaker Johnson for the Biden administration to take stronger border security measures, including ending catch-and-release and reinstating the Remain in Mexico program.
President Joe Biden has supported a Senate deal negotiated by Senators James Lankford and Chris Murphy, which would increase immigration levels, including an additional 50,000 green cards per year and expedited work permits for illegal aliens already in the U.S. The deal also proposes taxpayer-funded legal representation for Unaccompanied Alien Children (UACs) and allows for significant numbers of illegal aliens to arrive before imposing border controls. However, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell and House Speaker Mike Johnson have distanced themselves from the agreement, and former President Donald Trump has called on Senate Republicans to reject it.
Amidst the political tensions, President Biden has signaled that he would use a proposed emergency authority to close the border under overwhelming circumstances. This position is controversial, as some pro-American groups argue that Biden already has the power to halt migration and that the unreleased Senate deal favors business interests. The draft deal includes provisions for a $10 billion allocation to manage migrants during the 2020 campaign and allows for a considerable influx of migrants, which critics say is damaging to American citizens.
The immigration deal has also become a point of contention in the context of the 2024 election campaign, with former President Trump, who has been critical of the current border situation, being announced as the GOP frontrunner for the presidential nomination. The proposal's potential impact on congressional support for Ukraine's defense against Russia adds another layer of complexity, as a breakdown in the immigration deal could hinder the approval of necessary funding for Ukraine. Speaker Johnson also supports a Republican push on immigration reform and has indicated the possibility of impeaching Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas.
