In a significant development, Senate negotiators have reached a consensus to bolster the US’s ability to curb illegal migrant crossings at the southern border, according to informed sources. This move is aimed at mitigating the migrant influx that has overwhelmed federal authorities in recent months.
President Joe Biden has pledged to utilize the authority provided by the agreement, adopting measures that are considerably more stringent than he has previously contemplated. This comes in response to public perception of his approach to border control as less robust than that of his predecessor, Donald Trump.
Details of the Senate Deal
The Senate deal, anticipated to be disclosed as early as next week, proposes to expedite the asylum process, aiming to resolve cases within six months. This is a significant reduction from the current system, which can take up to a decade for asylum seekers.
The details of the deal offer fresh insights into high-stakes negotiations that have been underway for months. Senate leaders are hopeful that the deal can be appended to aid packages for Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan amidst looming domestic and international crises.
Political Implications
The proposal also puts Republicans in a quandary, forcing them to decide whether to endorse these new authorities or reject the plan as Trump has urged the GOP to oppose anything short of his idea of a “perfect” bill.
In an unusual comment on ongoing congressional negotiations, Biden described the deal as both stringent and equitable. He stated that the proposed reforms would be the most rigorous and fair ever implemented to secure the US border.
Key Provisions of the Package
The forthcoming package would grant the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) new emergency authority to close the border if daily average migrant encounters reach 4,000 over a one-week period. If migrant crossings rise above 5,000 on average per day in a given week, the DHS would be mandated to close the border to migrants crossing illegally outside of designated ports of entry.
Exceptions would be made for migrants who can demonstrate that they are fleeing torture or persecution in their home countries. If crossings exceed 8,500 in a single day, the DHS would be required to close the border to all illegal crossings. Repeat offenders attempting to cross the border during closure would face a one-year ban from entering the US.
Goals and Future Developments
The objective of the negotiating team, comprising GOP Sen. James Lankford of Oklahoma, Independent Sen. Kyrsten Sinema of Arizona, and Democratic Sen. Chris Murphy of Connecticut, is to prevent surges that overwhelm federal authorities. The Biden administration and Senate leaders have been actively involved in the discussions, with more details expected to be released soon.
However, the push to finalize a deal comes as Trump rallies Republicans to reject any immigration compromise, criticizing Biden’s handling of the border. Despite this, several top Senate Republicans, including Mitch McConnell, argue that the issue must be addressed immediately, given the Democrats’ willingness to approve stricter measures.
This article has been updated with additional reporting. CNN’s Betsy Klein contributed to this report.