A bipartisan immigration agreement was released on Sunday by a group of senators and the White House, granting the president extensive powers to address unlawful border crossings. Under the proposed deal, the president would have the authority to deny asylum requests and turn away migrants. This agreement, which has been in the works for months, aims to revamp American border policy by limiting access to the asylum system during periods of increased illegal immigration. It would also make it more challenging for migrants to pass initial asylum screenings and increase the number of deportations for those deemed ineligible for U.S. refuge. However, the agreement would still allow asylum processing at official border crossings and permit migrants who pass their asylum interviews to work legally in the United States.
The negotiation of this agreement involved Republican Senator James Lankford, Democratic Senator Chris Murphy, independent Senator Kyrsten Sinema, and top officials from the Biden administration. Republican lawmakers had demanded restrictions to U.S. asylum law in exchange for their support of increased military aid to Ukraine. If implemented, this bipartisan compromise would mark the first significant update to the U.S. immigration system since the 1990s.
Although the deal is likely to gain support from many Democrats and some Republican senators, including Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, its prospects in the GOP-led House remain uncertain. House Speaker Mike Johnson and other conservatives in the chamber have criticized certain aspects of the Senate negotiations and instead called on President Biden to utilize his executive power to deter migrants from coming to the United States.
This immigration agreement represents a significant shift in President Biden’s stance on immigration. Upon taking office, he vowed to “restore” the U.S. asylum system and dismantle border policies implemented during the Trump administration that were deemed inconsistent with American values and caused unnecessary human suffering. However, due to record levels of migrant apprehensions at the southern border and mounting criticism from Democratic leaders in communities struggling to assist migrants, the Biden administration has embraced stricter restrictions on asylum.
Notably, the agreement brokered by the White House would establish one of the most stringent border and immigration laws in recent history. However, it would not provide legal status to the approximately 11 million immigrants residing in the U.S. without authorization, a key element of comprehensive immigration reform advocated by Democratic lawmakers. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer hailed the agreement as a “monumental step” towards enhancing America’s national security and called it one of the most crucial pieces of legislation introduced by Congress in years. He also highlighted that the agreement includes funding for Ukraine’s defense against Russia, as well as military aid for Israel and humanitarian assistance for Palestinians in Gaza. Schumer urged the Senate to act promptly and scheduled the first vote on the measure for Wednesday.
Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell expressed gratitude to Senator Lankford for his work on the bill and emphasized the need for careful consideration of the opportunity presented to the Senate.
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