New Record High Migrant Encounters at Border, Biden Ready to Sign Border Deal
In a recent announcement, the Border Patrol revealed that December witnessed a record high number of migrant encounters, surpassing 300,000. This news comes amid President Biden's declaration that he is willing to sign a Senate bipartisan deal on border security. However, some doubts have arisen regarding whether he will follow through on his promise to shut down the border on the same day he signs the deal.
A standoff has emerged in Texas, with the Supreme Court ruling that Governor Greg Abbott must remove razor wire from the border with Mexico. Despite the ruling, the governor has refused to comply. The White House has emphasized that this issue is not about the governor of Texas, but rather about the people of Texas. Nonetheless, twenty-five Republican governors have come to the defense of Governor Abbott, representing half of the states in the country.
Public opinion on immigration remains a pressing concern, with voters in New Hampshire and across the nation citing it as one of the top issues facing the country. A recent poll reveals that Biden's approval rating for his handling of the southern border stands at a mere 18 percent.
When commenting on the proposed border deal in the Senate, President Biden acknowledged the long-standing issue at the border and expressed his belief that the negotiated reforms would be the toughest and fairest in the country's history. The deal would grant the president emergency authority to close the border when overwhelmed, a measure supported by many lawmakers.
Under the proposed agreement, a monthly influx of 150,000 migrants would be permitted into the United States, totaling 1.8 million per year. This figure has stirred opposition among House Republicans who view the deal as inadequate. Congressman Pat Fallin from Texas recently criticized the administration, accusing it of inaction and suggesting that more troops and razor wire should be sent to address the situation.
While President Biden is off to South Carolina ahead of the primary, the fate of the proposed border deal hangs in the balance. Its reception in the House of Representatives has been far from positive, with many viewing it as dead on arrival. The president's promise to shut down the border upon signing the deal comes with caveats and varying definitions of a shutdown.
As election year politics play a significant role in shaping the discourse, all eyes are on former President Donald Trump, the Republican frontrunner. Trump has already voiced his disapproval of the border deal, urging people not to support it. Consequently, House Republicans are distancing themselves from the proposal, mindful of Trump's stance.
The fate of this border deal remains uncertain, with divisions among lawmakers and public opinion heightening the tension. As the situation unfolds, it will undoubtedly shape the political landscape and impact the nation's approach to border security.
