President Donald Trump has cautioned Republicans regarding the Senate’s purported “border security” bill.
The legislation represents a middle ground between Democrat President Joe Biden and Senate Republicans. Nevertheless, the bill appears to resemble more of a globalist Democrat agenda rather than a genuine effort to fortify America’s vulnerable borders.
House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) has pledged to eliminate the so-called “border security” package following the shocking revelations about its contents, as reported by Slay News. Shortly after the bill’s publication, Johnson proclaimed it to be “dead on arrival.”
“This bill is even worse than we expected, and won’t come close to ending the border catastrophe the President has created,” Johnson posted on X.
It is not only House Republicans aligned with Trump who are objecting, but GOP senators like John Cornyn (R-TX) as well, who is hardly a pro-Trump firebrand. The bill has faced criticism from its opponents who argue that it does not adequately secure the southern border, despite the claims made by Biden and the lead Republican sponsor James Lankford (R-OK).
Republicans are also concerned about the disproportionate allocation of funds, with $60 billion going to Ukraine compared to only $20 billion for “border security.” Notably, the package does not include any provisions for border wall construction. Johnson referred to Democrat Senator Chris Murphy (D-CT), who acknowledged that the border “never closes,” despite the “shutdown” authority being touted as one of the bill’s main selling points.
4/ A brand new right to legal representation for all immigrants. Remember when Trump denied lawyers to victims of the Muslim ban? Never again.
And…the first ever government paid-for lawyers for young unaccompanied minors. A long standing injustice righted.
— Chris Murphy 🟧 (@ChrisMurphyCT) February 4, 2024
The bill slightly increases the requirements for asylum claims, but the details specify that the decision to implement a “shutdown” is up to the president.
Furthermore, the “shutdown” cannot be initiated, even at the president’s discretion, until there are at least 4,000 daily border crossings. Republicans argue that this sets a new standard for immigration rates under President Biden.
The so-called “border security” package permits 1.5 million undocumented immigrants to enter the United States annually. During a “shutdown,” the border would still be open at official entry points, and a minimum of 1,400 asylum claims must still be processed each day. Additionally, there are time limits on how long the “shutdown” can remain in effect.
The bill also grants the president the authority to suspend the “shutdown” at his discretion, which has raised concerns among Republicans due to President Biden’s immigration track record. While the bill lacks substantial guarantees for border security, it does provide immediate work permits for asylum seekers, an additional 50,000 green cards per year, and a pathway to citizenship for Afghan refugees.
President Trump has cautioned Republicans to reject the border bill. Trump is warning that it allows Democrats to distance themselves from the significant increase in border activity that has occurred under President Biden’s administration.
