WASHINGTON — Tell us something we don't know, Joe.
President Biden told reporters on Friday that the U.S.-Mexico border is not secure, contrary to statements from Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, after endorsing “massive changes” to immigration policy.
Asked whether the frontier is safe during remarks to a bipartisan group of mayors in the East Room of the White House, Mr. Biden said, “No, it's not.”
In his speech, the 81-year-old Biden said that Senate negotiators will next week come up with a compromise on border policy as part of a broader $106 billion in additional spending requests that would also fund military aid to Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan. He said he was looking forward to the announcement.
“I believe we need significant policy changes at our borders, including changes to our refugee system to ensure we have the authority we need to control our borders. We are ready to act,” the president said.
“Now, the problem is, [House] speaker [Mike Johnson] And House Republicans: “Are they ready to act, too?” Biden added.
“They have to choose whether they want to solve the problem or continue to weaponize the problem to score political points against the president. They are ready to solve the problem. They really are. ” he added. “It's a big change. I truly believe that.”
It is unclear what asylum policy changes would be favorable to the White House, Senate Democrats, and all three House Republicans.
Current administration policy allows nearly all immigrants who cross the border illegally into the United States to wait out outstanding asylum cases and receive work permits after an initial waiting period.
Shortly after taking office in 2021, Biden repealed former President Donald Trump's “Remain in Mexico” policy, which required most asylum seekers to remain south of the border while their cases were decided.
Mayorkas, whose Department of Homeland Security is responsible for border policy, infuriated Republicans with repeated assertions last spring. “Our borders are safe.” A record number of foreigners entered the country illegally.
Despite clearly denying Mayorkas' claims, Biden on Friday defended the Homeland Security secretary when asked about House Republicans' efforts to impeach and remove Mayorkas, calling it “incomprehensible.” he told reporters.
After the number of illegal immigrants reached a record high in December, capping off a record calendar year, Mr. He announced his intention to take strict action against immigrants.
“I like how it looks turned on.” [TV] And, 'Biden supports free and open borders, just tear everything down — everybody can come, no restrictions,''' the president quipped during his speech.
Biden also defended his record, including: law amendment He will send a bill to Congress in 2021 that would legalize most immigrants currently in the U.S. illegally, and the fiscal year 2023, which ends on September 30, will also see a record number of illegal immigrants. He also noted that in response to this, a request for additional border security funds was made in October.
