In a significant policy shift, President Joe Biden has endorsed more stringent border measures, including the potential closure of the US-Mexico border. This move comes as the President seeks to counter former President Donald Trump’s criticisms of his immigration policy ahead of the upcoming election.
Despite a warning from House Speaker Mike Johnson that the proposed border deal in the Senate would be “dead on arrival,” President Biden urged House Republicans to support the negotiations. He stated, “Securing the border through these negotiations is a win for America. For everyone who is demanding tougher border control, this is the way to do it. If you’re serious about the border crisis, pass a bipartisan bill and I will sign it.”
Since taking office, Biden has faced mounting challenges at the US-Mexico border due to record migration across the Western hemisphere. This has become a political vulnerability that Republicans, including Trump, have capitalized on.
In recent weeks, Trump has urged Republicans to oppose the border compromise being negotiated in the Senate, hoping to use the issue as a campaign platform in November. Biden, in response, has adopted more restrictive measures to curb migration, a move that could potentially alienate some of his allies.
Biden’s endorsement of an authority that would allow him to shut down the border in the event of a migrant surge has been met with surprise by current and former administration officials, as well as immigrant advocates.
Johnson criticized Biden’s endorsement of the potential border deal, arguing that Biden can take executive action without Congress to clamp down on migrant crossings. Johnson claimed that the Senate deal would force the US to surrender to illegal migration.
Under the proposed package, the Department of Homeland Security would be granted new emergency authority to shut down the border if daily average migrants crossing unlawfully reach 4,000 over a one-week span. Certain migrants would be allowed to stay if they proved to be fleeing torture or persecution in their countries. The details remain unclear.
Immigrant advocates have expressed their disappointment with Biden’s statement, revealing a deepening rift between the president and the advocacy community. Robyn Barnard, senior director of refugee advocacy for Human Rights First, called the situation disappointing.
Kerri Talbot, executive director at Immigration Hub, decried the politicization of the border. “I hope that the leaders of both parties can step back and think through real solutions that would lead to a controlled border,” she told CNN.
Earlier in the week, Democratic Sen. Alex Padilla of California warned of progressive backlash against the administration over the potential immigration deal being negotiated in the Senate as frustrations mount.
This story has been updated with new reporting. CNN’s Manu Raju contributed to this report.