AOC urges Biden to halt border wall construction, deeming it cruel.
Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez Slams President Biden’s Decision to Waive Laws for Border Wall Construction
Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) strongly criticized President Joe Biden on Thursday following his administration’s announcement that it would waive numerous federal laws to begin constructing the southern border wall.
To combat the recent surge in illegal migration, Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas invoked his congressional authority to waive 26 federal laws and proceed with building a border wall in the Rio Grande Valley Sector. This area has witnessed over 245,000 migrant encounters in the current fiscal year alone, as reported by Fox News. The move has caused confusion within the Biden administration and faced pushback from some members of the Democratic Party.
Ocasio-Cortez released a statement on Thursday evening, urging Biden to take responsibility for his decision and reverse course.
“A wall does nothing to deter people who are fleeing poverty and violence from coming to the United States. Walls only serve to push migrants into more remote areas, increasing their chances of death. It is a cruel policy,”
Ocasio-Cortez has faced criticism from her constituents as illegal immigrants have overwhelmed New York City in the past year. During a press conference at a migrant shelter, she and Rep. Jerry Nadler (D-NY) were drowned out by protesters shouting, “Close the border, close the border. Respect the constitution, AOC. I am your constituent,” according to the New York Post.
Rep. @AOC (D-NY) addresses the migrant crisis in NYC as protesters outside a shelter for asylum-seekers shout “close the border!”:
“They are prevented from employment, and that is part of the strain on our public systems.” pic.twitter.com/eluAC4OHMT
— The Recount (@therecount) September 15, 2023
The Big Apple has accommodated and supported over 117,000 migrants using taxpayer dollars since last year, with an expected expenditure of up to $5 billion to address the migrant crisis. New York City Democrat Mayor Eric Adams has repeatedly called on the Biden administration to take a stronger stance on border security and assist the city in handling the influx of illegal immigrants. Adams is currently on a trip to Latin America, where he plans to personally dissuade potential migrants from coming to New York City.
In her statement, Ocasio-Cortez emphasized that the Biden administration should prioritize addressing the root causes of migration and invest in meaningful immigration reform. This stance aligns with the majority of Democrats, including the president himself, who halted border wall construction shortly after taking office in January 2021.
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During his presidential campaign in 2020, Biden criticized former President Donald Trump’s border security policies and promised that there would be no further construction of the border wall under his administration. He condemned the wall as a “misplaced priority” and a failure to manage migration in a safe, orderly, and humane manner.
The president attempted to explain his apparent shift in border policy by stating that he had tried to redirect the funds allocated for border wall construction but was unable to do so.
“I tried to get them to reappropriate it, to redirect that money. They didn’t, they wouldn’t,” said Biden. “And in the meantime, there’s nothing under the law other than they have to use the money for what it was appropriated. I can’t stop that.”
Are open borders and lax immigration policies contributing to the worsening situation in Ocasio-Cortez’s district?
Ated thousands of undocumented immigrants in recent months, leading to overcrowded shelters, strain on public services, and increased crime rates. Ocasio-Cortez’s critics argue that her support for open borders and lax immigration policies has contributed to the worsening situation in her own district.
In her statement addressing Biden’s decision to waive laws for border wall construction, Ocasio-Cortez emphasized the ineffectiveness of walls in deterring migrants and claimed that they only push them into more dangerous areas. While her concerns about the potential dangers migrants may face are valid, critics argue that her proposed solution of open borders is not sustainable and would only exacerbate the existing problems.
It is important to note that the southern border crisis is not a new issue. It has been a contentious topic for years, with both Democratic and Republican administrations struggling to find effective solutions. The surge in illegal migration during Biden’s presidency has put added pressure on the administration to address the issue promptly and effectively.
Waiving federal laws for border wall construction in specific areas is a strategic move aimed at managing the high influx of migrants in the Rio Grande Valley Sector. While it may not be the ultimate solution to the border crisis, it allows the administration to take immediate action to secure the border and alleviate the strain on border patrol agents who are overwhelmed with their current workload.
President Biden has faced criticism from both ends of the political spectrum. Conservatives argue that his administration’s immigration policies have effectively nullified the progress made in securing the border during the Trump administration. Progressives like Ocasio-Cortez, on the other hand, have been pushing for a more lenient approach towards immigration, advocating for policies that prioritize humanitarian concerns. Finding a balance between border security and compassion for migrants is a difficult task that requires thoughtful consideration and careful planning.
The fact remains that the border crisis is a multi-faceted issue that requires a comprehensive approach. It is not enough to simply build walls or welcome migrants without consideration for the strain it puts on local communities and resources. The root causes of migration, such as poverty, violence, and political instability, must be addressed by working with international partners to provide sustainable solutions.
While criticizing President Biden’s decision to waive laws for border wall construction may be warranted, it is important to consider the complexity of the issue and the challenging decisions that the administration faces. As the debate continues, it is crucial for policymakers to focus on finding long-term solutions that address the underlying causes of migration while ensuring the security and well-being of both migrants and local communities.
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