In a recent television interview, North Dakota Senator Kevin Cramer discussed the latest developments regarding the border deal and shared his thoughts on the proposed provisions. The senator expressed his appreciation for being given the opportunity to appear on the show and thanked the host for having him.
Regarding the provision that was just released, Senator Cramer explained that currently, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has the discretionary power to close the border to migrants who illegally cross. However, he pointed out that the new proposal would now require the DHS Secretary to close the border if the number of crossings exceeds 8,500 in a single day. While the senator believed that 8,500 was too high a number, he acknowledged that there were days last month when the border could have been closed instead of allowing thousands of migrants in. He viewed this provision as a step in the right direction, even though it was not perfect.
When asked about the reaction of the people of North Dakota to the proposed deal, Senator Cramer responded candidly, admitting that if he presented the deal in the manner described, people would likely be unhappy. However, he emphasized the importance of looking at the deal in a more comprehensive manner, considering specific employment sectors that might benefit from additional foreign workers, such as agriculture, energy, and the medical field. The senator highlighted that the bill's details were not yet available, and he advocated for reading and understanding the text before making a final decision.
The host raised concerns about the rush to vote on a bill without sufficient time to review the 700-page document, citing previous instances of this happening. Senator Cramer agreed that rushed legislation is not ideal and acknowledged that critics unfortunately had limited access to the specific details of the deal. Nevertheless, the senator emphasized that some of the agreed-upon elements within the deal included triggers for expedited removal at the border, building infrastructure for same-day turnarounds, and raising the standard for asylum claims.
Responding to skepticism about the ability of the DHS Secretary to enforce these new provisions, Senator Cramer acknowledged that President Trump would likely have implemented them more effectively. However, he stressed that doing nothing would not lead to better enforcement. The senator expressed concerns about preserving the border crisis for political purposes and pointed out that President Biden had already allowed millions of people to enter the country illegally.
In terms of ending catch and release, Senator Cramer did not entirely agree with the notion that the proposed deal would not achieve this. He highlighted that by raising the standards, eliminating parole, and implementing infrastructure for asylum reviews at the border, there was potential to eliminate catch and release in the future.
While Senator Cramer provided insight into the ongoing discussions surrounding the border deal, it is important to note that specific details of the agreement have not yet been made public. As negotiations continue, lawmakers and the public eagerly await the release and review of the legislation's text.
