A group of House Democrats facing tough re-election campaigns have called on President Biden to take executive action on the United States’ border with Mexico, urging him to restore order and fix the broken immigration system. The legislators from states such as Minnesota, Arizona, Nevada, Pennsylvania, and Michigan have expressed concerns over the current situation at the Southern border and are pushing for immediate action. This comes as President Biden faces criticism from both Republicans and some within his own party over his approach to immigration and border security, with the issue becoming a central theme in the upcoming general election against former President Donald Trump.
In response to the letter from House Democrats, White House spokesperson Angelo Fernández Hernández highlighted that congressional Republicans have prioritized partisan politics over national security by rejecting what border agents have indicated they need. Despite Republican Speaker of the House Mike Johnson’s opposition to a bipartisan deal to secure the border, Democrats view the collapse of the deal in the Senate earlier this year as an opportunity to push for executive action from President Biden. The lawmakers are calling on the administration to utilize all available tools, including executive action, to address security at the Southern border, combat illicit fentanyl trafficking, and facilitate orderly legal immigration.
Fifteen Democratic House members, including those from battleground states like Michigan, Pennsylvania, and Nevada, have signed the letter to President Biden, emphasizing the impact of the current border situation on all constituents. The House recently passed a Republican-led measure condemning the Biden administration’s perceived open border policies, with some Democrats joining Republicans in supporting the effort. As the border issue remains contentious, both parties are gearing up for the upcoming general elections, with Democrats needing to win back control of the House from Republicans. The border is expected to be a key issue in House campaigns leading up to Election Day.
The National Republican Congressional Committee’s communications director, Jack Pandol, criticized the Democrats’ letter as a political ploy, accusing them of inconsistency in their approach to border security. Pandol described the Democrats’ promise to address border issues after opening the floodgates as a “pathetic charade” aimed at convincing voters of their commitment to ending the crisis. The border and immigration are high-stakes issues for both parties as President Biden seeks to navigate a delicate balance between centrist and progressive voters within his party.
President Biden has been exploring executive actions to address illegal border crossings, including potentially restricting asylum through the invocation of authority under 212(f) to suspend the entry of foreigners deemed to be detrimental to U.S. interests. While the administration has yet to announce new border measures, it recently enabled a large number of undocumented immigrants brought to the U.S. as children to enroll in the Affordable Care Act’s health insurance. The Biden administration has been critical of Trump’s handling of border issues and rhetoric on immigration, highlighting the need for a comprehensive and effective approach to border security and immigration policy.
