Graham and Scott urge Biden to tackle migrant crisis at the border
Sens. Lindsey Graham and Tim Scott Urge President Biden to Take Action on Migrant Crisis
Sens. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) and Tim Scott (R-SC) made a powerful plea to President Joe Biden during their visit to the southern border on Friday. The South Carolina Republicans, who recently voted against a defense supplemental spending bill, expressed their concerns over the failed border deal and called for immediate action.
“Tim and I came here to listen and learn, and we’ve learned a lot,” Graham said at a press conference. “Policy changes necessary to stop this can be done without law changes, even though I’m willing to change the law. If you went back to ‘Remain in Mexico’ and deported people at a faster rate, you’d fix most of this.”
“If you want to help Ukraine, which I do, you’ve got to start by helping America first,” he added.
Graham strategically timed his visit to coincide with the Munich Security Conference, where he usually attends, to advocate for border security provisions in the national security supplemental. He emphasized the need to finish the border wall, protect border patrol, and put an end to illegal immigration.
Support for Ukraine and Criticism of the Defense Supplemental
Graham, a close ally of former President Donald Trump, has been a strong advocate for U.S. involvement in Ukraine’s fight against Russia’s military invasion. However, he voted against the defense supplemental bill due to its lack of focus on border security.
“This whole process has been a complete debacle,” Graham criticized on the Senate floor. He expressed disappointment in House Republicans and Senate leadership for their approaches to the defense supplemental.
While Graham maintained his support for Ukraine, he explained that dealing with the border crisis should be the priority. Despite his ties to Trump, Graham’s vote against the supplemental bill was significant, considering his reputation as one of the Senate’s biggest defense hawks.
Scott, who also voted against the supplemental, echoed Graham’s concerns and emphasized the need for Congress and the Biden administration to take action on border security. As a former contender in the 2024 GOP primary and a Trump endorser, Scott has gained attention as a potential vice presidential candidate.
Criticism and Calls for Action
The senators faced criticism for their trip, with Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) questioning their votes against the supplemental and opposition to the bipartisan border deal.
“It’s very nice that Lindsey Graham and Tim Scott are taking a field trip to the border. But their actions speak louder than words,” Schumer said. “Senators Graham and Scott voted to keep the status quo and against the necessary resources to secure the border. We hope their trip will make them see the light and tell Trump to support our bipartisan border agreement.”
The White House also expressed disapproval of the trip, urging the senators to return to Washington and revive the abandoned border deal.
“Sen. Lindsey Graham and Sen. Tim Scott voted against the toughest, fairest, bipartisan border security deal in decades, turning their backs on the Border Patrol Union and instead siding with drug cartels, human smugglers, and Donald Trump,” said White House spokesman Andrew Bates.
“Sen. Graham and Sen. Scott should go back to Washington and un-kill the landmark border security legislation that is critical to actually supporting law enforcement and halting deadly fentanyl trafficking,” he added.
The visit to the southern border by Sens. Lindsey Graham and Tim Scott has brought attention to the urgent need for action on the migrant crisis and border security. Their calls for change have sparked debate and criticism, highlighting the complex nature of the issue.
What specific actions do Senators Graham and Scott urge President Biden to take to address the border crisis?
Ders of defense funding.
Graham’s decision to align himself with Trump’s immigration policy and prioritize border security is not surprising. Throughout his political career, Graham has taken a tough stance on immigration and has been a vocal proponent of border control. His visit to the southern border, accompanied by Scott, sends a clear message to President Biden and the American public that the border crisis is a pressing issue that demands immediate attention.
Scott, the only black Republican senator, echoed Graham’s concerns and emphasized the need for decisive action. In a joint statement, the senators called on President Biden to reinstate the “Remain in Mexico” policy and accelerate the deportation process. They argued that these measures, along with the completion of the border wall, would alleviate the strain on border patrol agents and deter illegal immigration.
Both senators underscored the link between border security and U.S. national security. They argued that by addressing the crisis at the southern border, the administration would be better positioned to support Ukraine and counter Russian aggression. In their view, a strong and secure America is fundamental to promoting stability and democracy around the world.
While their visit to the border and their plea to President Biden may not change the administration’s stance on immigration policy, Graham and Scott’s actions highlight the growing frustration among Republicans. With the ongoing increase in border crossings and the strain it places on immigration enforcement resources, the issue of illegal immigration has become a key point of contention between the two parties.
President Biden has made reversing Trump’s immigration policies a priority. However, the surge in migration at the southern border has strained resources and posed new challenges for the administration. The senator’s visit and their call for action serve as a reminder that bipartisan support for comprehensive immigration reform cannot be ignored.
In conclusion, Sens. Lindsey Graham and Tim Scott’s visit to the southern border and their plea to President Biden to take action on the migrant crisis highlight the urgency of the situation. As representatives of South Carolina, they have voiced their concerns over the failed border deal and called for immediate policy changes to address the issue. Their support for Ukraine and criticism of the defense supplemental further demonstrate the link between border security and national security. While their visit and plea may not immediately change the administration’s stance, it is a reminder that the issue of illegal immigration requires bipartisan attention and action.
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