WASHINGTON — Tell us something we don’t know, Joe.
President Biden told reporters on Friday that the US-Mexico border is not secure – contradicting Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas – after advocating for “massive changes” in immigration policy.
“No, no,” Biden said when asked if the border was secure following remarks to a bipartisan group of mayors in the East Room of the White House.
During his speech, the 81-year-old Biden said he hoped Senate negotiators would announce a compromise next week on border policy as part of an additional $106 billion spending request that would also fund military aid for Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan.
President Biden told reporters on Friday that the US-Mexico border is not secure. Getty Images
“I believe we need significant policy changes at the border, including changes in our asylum system to ensure we have the authority we need to control the border. I am ready to act,” said the president.
“Now the question is for [House] Lecturer [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 issue to gain political points against the president. I am ready to solve the problem. I really am,” he added. “Massive change, and I mean that sincerely.”
It is not clear what changes to asylum policy are acceptable to all three White Houses, Senate Democrats and House Republicans.
“We need significant policy changes at the border,” Biden said. Getty Images
The current administration’s policy allows almost all immigrants who cross the border illegally to enter the US pending asylum proceedings, which entitle them to work permits after an initial waiting period.
Shortly after taking office in 2021, Biden ended former President Donald Trump’s “Remain in Mexico” policy, which required most asylum seekers to await the outcome of their cases while remaining south of the border.
Mayorkas, whose Department of Homeland Security administers border policy, angered Republicans last spring by repeatedly claiming “the border is secure” as record numbers of foreigners cross illegally.
While apparently denying Mayorkas’ allegations, Biden defended his DHS chief when asked about House Republicans’ efforts to impeach and fire him, telling reporters on Friday that “I don’t understand.”
Shortly after taking office in 2021, Biden ended former President Donald Trump’s “Remain in Mexico” policy. Getty Images
Biden signaled a willingness to get tough on illegal immigration as polls showed dismal approval ratings for his handling of the migrant crisis after December saw an all-time high in illegal crossings, capping a record-breaking calendar year.
“I like the way I live [TV] and, ‘Biden is for free and open borders, just tear everything down — everybody come, no restrictions,’” quipped the president during his speech.
Biden also defended his record, including by citing reform legislation he is sending Congress in 2021 that would legalize most immigrants currently in the US illegally, as well as expressing an October request for more border security funding after the 2023 fiscal year, which ends on 30 September, also saw an all-time record for illegal crossings.
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Source: thtrangdai.edu.vn/en/
