Biden takes executive actions to secure the border
President Biden has just announced a series of executive actions aimed at securing the US southern border, following a lack of action from Congress. These measures come in response to the ongoing migration crisis, which has seen record levels of encounters at the southern border.
New Actions to Secure the Border
The president’s actions include barring migrants who cross the southern border unlawfully from receiving asylum. This move is expected to alleviate pressure on Border Patrol agents and expedite the removal process for those without legal grounds to stay.
These actions will be triggered when the volume of encounters at the southern border surpasses the capacity of the US government to respond promptly. However, the administration stressed that these measures are not a substitute for Congressional action, and do not provide the necessary resources and personnel to fully secure the southern border.
A Call for Congressional Action
Despite these border executive actions, the Biden administration continues to call on Congress to act. The announcement says that since taking office, President Biden has consistently called for legislative measures to secure the border and reform the immigration system. Moreover, the announcement says that the Biden-Harris administration has made significant efforts to address the situation at the southern border, including deploying a record number of agents and officers, seizing unprecedented amounts of illicit fentanyl at ports of entry, and spearheading international efforts to address changing migration patterns.
Senator John Thune’s Advance Response
Also today, before President Biden’s announcement, Senator John Thune (R-SD) criticized on the Senate floor the president’s approach to the southern border situation, claiming that the president’s policies had led to a crisis characterized by record-breaking levels of illegal immigration. Thune said he viewed the executive order, which he said he was “hearing that President Biden may be announcing,” as a superficial attempt to address the issue by offering de facto amnesty to many individuals with unresolved asylum cases.
Thune argued that Biden, as president, has a responsibility to ensure national security and take concrete actions to manage the border effectively. He attributed the surge in illegal immigration to Biden’s reversal of previous administration policies, something that he said he believes triggered a continuous influx of migrants. Thune pointed out the significant number of illegal crossings and individuals who evade capture by Border Patrol, emphasizing this as a critical national security concern.
Thune referenced statements from US Border Patrol Chief Jason Owens and FBI Director Christopher Wray to underline the severity of the situation. Owens had expressed alarm over the high number of “gotaways,” describing it as a national security threat, and Wray had told the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence that the border crisis had led to dangerous threats, including “a particular network that has – where some of the overseas facilitators of the smuggling network have ISIS ties that we’re very concerned about.”
Thune expressed frustration with Biden’s inaction over the past three years, suggesting it was a neglect of his presidential duties. He argued that Biden’s recent focus on border security was driven by political motivations rather than a genuine commitment to resolving the crisis. Thune expressed doubt over the sustainability of President Biden’s executive actions beyond the election.
Thune concluded by stating that while electoral concerns might push Biden to address the border crisis, he was not optimistic about significant changes. Thune said that Biden’s record did not inspire confidence in his ability to manage the situation effectively, leaving doubts about any long-term solutions being implemented.
Featured image is a Texas National Guard photo by Spc. James Garcia and is under public domain
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