Speaker Johnson urged Biden to prioritize border security demands during their phone call
House Speaker Urges President Biden to Take Action on Southern Border
House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) recently had a phone call with President Joe Biden, where he emphasized the need for executive action to secure the southern border. This conversation follows a letter Johnson sent to the president last month, urging him to reinstate previous asylum policies, including the Trump-era Remain in Mexico program.
In the call, Johnson reiterated the points made in his letter and stressed the urgency of the situation. The ongoing government spending negotiations and talks in the Senate regarding border policy changes and military aid to Ukraine add to the importance of taking action.
“The Speaker strongly encouraged the President to use his executive authority to secure the southern border and reiterated the contents of his letter to the President dated December 21, 2023,” said Raj Shah, a spokesman for the speaker’s office.
In his letter, Johnson highlighted the alarming number of illegal immigrants encountered by Customs and Border Protection in fiscal 2023, including a record-breaking 670,000 individuals who entered the country illegally and were not apprehended. To address this issue, Johnson called for the reinstatement of various Trump-era policies, such as the construction of the border wall and the end of “catch-and-release” practices.
The phone call between Johnson and Biden comes at a critical time, as House conservatives threaten to withhold support for spending legislation unless significant policy changes are made at the southern border. With only nine days remaining before a potential partial government shutdown, Johnson is under pressure to find a resolution.
While the White House confirmed the call, no details about the conversation were provided. Biden has previously expressed his desire to reach a border compromise with lawmakers in order to secure additional aid for Ukraine and Israel.
Senate negotiations are ongoing to finalize a border deal in exchange for foreign aid, but it is uncertain when the legislative text will be ready.
“I’m done,” said Rep. Ralph Norman (R-SC), a member of the conservative House Freedom Caucus. “I’m not funding it, I’m not voting for it. If we can’t keep the security of this country front and center stage, we’ve lost our country. I’m not doing it.”
Lawmakers have until January 19 to pass the first batch of appropriations bills. Failure to do so will result in a partial government shutdown, with the remaining spending bills expiring on February 2.
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What is the proposed solution to address the crisis at the southern border according to House Speaker Johnson?
Hority to address the crisis at our southern border,” a statement from Johnson’s office read. “The border crisis is not only an issue of national security, but it also impacts our economy, public health, and the well-being of American citizens.”
The surge in illegal border crossings has reached record levels in recent months, with over 180,000 encounters in May alone. This influx of migrants, including unaccompanied minors, has overwhelmed Border Patrol agents and facilities, leading to overcrowding and unsanitary conditions.
Johnson argues that reinstating the Remain in Mexico program would serve as a deterrent to illegal migration by requiring asylum seekers to wait in Mexico for their cases to be processed in the U.S. This policy, introduced during the Trump administration, has been credited with reducing the number of migrants attempting to cross the border illegally.
While some critics argue that the program violated the rights of asylum seekers, Johnson maintains that it was a necessary measure to address the border crisis. He emphasizes the need for decisive action to restore order and protect American citizens.
Furthermore, Johnson proposes increasing funding for Border Patrol infrastructure, including additional resources for agents and technology. This would not only enhance border security but also streamline the processing of asylum claims and reduce the burden on existing facilities.
The House Speaker’s call for executive action on the southern border comes at a critical juncture in Biden’s presidency. With increasing pressure from lawmakers across the political spectrum, as well as the general public, to address the border crisis, the president faces a pivotal moment in his immigration policy.
President Biden has made some changes to border policy since taking office, including ending the Migrant Protection Protocols (MPP) and implementing a more humane approach to immigration. However, critics argue that these measures have contributed to the surge in illegal crossings and the current crisis at the southern border.
Johnson’s call for action echoes similar sentiments expressed by Republicans in Congress, who have repeatedly criticized the administration’s handling of the border situation. They assert that the president’s policies have created a magnet for illegal migrants, sending a message that the U.S. borders are open and encouraging more individuals to attempt the dangerous journey.
As negotiations continue over government spending and border policy changes, House Speaker Johnson’s plea to President Biden highlights the urgent need for executive action to address the crisis at the southern border. The fate of thousands of migrants, the well-being of American citizens, and the integrity of the immigration system hang in the balance. It remains to be seen how President Biden will respond, and whether his actions will be sufficient to mitigate the current border crisis.
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