President Biden’s Announcement
President Joe Biden has expressed his support for a border deal being negotiated in the U.S. Senate.
He describes the proposed reforms as the “toughest and fairest” possible.
Bipartisan Negotiations and Challenges
The negotiations on the border deal are facing challenges, especially due to increasing opposition from Republicans.
Some Republicans are linking the border security deal to providing further aid for Ukraine.
House Speaker’s Skepticism
U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson is skeptical about the deal, stating that it is “dead on arrival” in its current form.
This skepticism is communicated through a letter to Republican lawmakers.
President’s Pledge to “Shut Down the Border
President Biden has pledged to “shut down the border” on the day he signs the bill into law.
He emphasizes the need for emergency authority when the border faces overwhelming situations.
Changes in Asylum Limits
The White House has reportedly agreed to new limits on asylum, including the creation of an expulsion power.
This power allows the rapid return to Mexico for migrants crossing the U.S.-Mexico border illegally if encounters exceed specific daily thresholds.
Expulsion Power Details
If migrant encounters surpass 4,000 per day, expulsion power would be triggered.
If encounters reach 5,000 per day, the use of expulsion power becomes mandatory.
This authority is similar to the previously implemented COVID-era Title 42 policy.
Aim of the Bill
The goal of the bill is to expedite the resolution of asylum claims within six months without detaining migrants.
This process is intended to be faster compared to the current system that can take years.
Biden’s Call for Funding
President Biden urges Congress to provide the funding he requested in October to secure the border.
This includes additional resources like border patrol agents, immigration judges, asylum officers, and inspection machines to detect and stop fentanyl.
Trump’s Warning
Former President Donald Trump warns against any deal that doesn’t meet Republican expectations to shut down border crossings.
Challenges Faced by Biden
President Biden has faced challenges with record numbers of migrants illegally crossing the U.S.-Mexico border during his presidency.
Republicans argue for maintaining the restrictive policies implemented by Trump.