President Joe Biden expressed his support for “significant policy changes” in asylum law, emphasizing the need for border control during a meeting with mayors at the White House. This stance marks a departure from his 2020 campaign promise to restore the country’s role as a haven for refugees. The discussions come in the context of ongoing negotiations between the White House and Senate, linked to the passage of a global security package.
As the 2024 presidential election looms and a surge in asylum claims occurs at the Southern border, Biden has adopted a more stringent approach to immigration, particularly to allocate aid to Ukraine. The comments were made amid requests for federal aid from cities like Chicago and New York, dealing with migrants sent by Texas Gov. Greg Abbott.
Biden’s administration is negotiating with bipartisan senators to reach a deal on immigration policies. Senate Republicans seek immigration concessions in exchange for supporting aid to Ukraine, Israel, Taiwan, and U.S. border security. Progressive lawmakers push back against changes to asylum law, creating a contentious backdrop for the negotiations.
The use of parole by the White House is a significant point of contention, with Republicans opposing its application. Biden expressed hope for a deal this week and placed the responsibility on House Republicans to act on the issue.
Amid these discussions, House Republicans are proceeding with impeachment proceedings against U.S. Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas over immigration policies. The remarks were made after the United States Conference of Mayors’ 92nd winter meeting, where Biden commended bipartisan efforts on infrastructure, climate change, and gun violence reduction.
Vice President Kamala Harris also addressed mayors, discussing the Biden administration’s initiatives on gun violence prevention and efforts to access funds from the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act. Harris highlighted the crucial role mayors play in convening diverse stakeholders to address the gun violence epidemic.
Source: Idahocapitalsun
