Sen. Lindsey Graham (RS.C.) said Tuesday that the incoming Republican Senate will make a “transformative” border security bill a “top priority” in 2025, as immigration remains a top political issue in 2025. ” he said.
Graham, who has been involved in numerous bipartisan efforts on immigration issues, said in the Senate: “Republicans will make a transformative border security bill their top priority in January 2025, to be taken up and passed by the Appropriations Committee.'' ” he said. Judiciary Committee Hearing.
Graham made it clear that the Republican-led chamber's priorities will relate to increased border security and deportation goals already outlined by the Trump transition team.
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Sen. Lindsey Graham speaks during a press conference at the U.S. Capitol on July 31, 2024. (Kent Nishimura/Getty Images)
“Increasing the number of bed spaces available to detain people rather than release them,” Graham said. “We will increase the number of ICE agents to deal with deportable people. We will complete the wall, bring technology to the border, and provide operational control of the border.”
“That's going to be our number one priority,” he said, adding that it will be “the number one priority” through the settlement.
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Thomas Homan, former head of the Bureau of Immigration and Customs Enforcement, will serve as the “border czar” and lead the mass deportation operation. (Drew Angerer/Getty Images)
Immigration and border security are two of the top issues among voters in the 2024 election, a race won in part by President-elect Trump's promise to campaign on mass deportations and strengthen border security.
Republicans in the House and Senate have expressed support for these efforts, and many have made that clear on the campaign trail. Although many deportation operations can be carried out through executive action, Congress can assist by providing additional resources or amending immigration laws.
Republicans passed a sweeping border security and asylum reform bill in the House of Representatives in 2023 (HR2), but it has not yet been considered in the Senate, which currently holds a Democratic majority. Democrats were pushing another bipartisan border security bill this year that would include increased funding for border authorities. But Republicans largely opposed the bill, saying it contained provisions that would legislate against high levels of illegal immigration.
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Graham's comments were made during a hearing focused on the potential impact of mass deportation operations. Sen. Alex Padilla (D-Calif.) said if large numbers of illegal immigrants were deported, prices would be affected.
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“Prices are going to keep going up. So, America, when you're preparing for next year's Thanksgiving dinner or next year's Christmas dinner, be prepared to spend more on food. And if you… “If you've been saving up money for years, be prepared to wait even longer if you're buying your first home because of construction delays and rising prices,” he said.
