Amidst the ongoing debate over border policy, House Speaker Mike Johnson and over 60 Republican lawmakers embarked on a visit to the U.S.-Mexico border in Eagle Pass, Texas. This visit comes at a time when the Biden administration has been criticizing Republicans, including Speaker Johnson, accusing them of hindering border policy.
During their visit, Speaker Johnson and the lawmakers observed migrants crossing the river while they stood on the bank alongside the media. However, unlike previous instances where the federal resources were overwhelmed by a large number of migrants, the situation seemed relatively calm during this visit. According to senior administration officials, the number of crossings has significantly decreased from thousands to less than 500 this week. Despite this decline, the administration has still been faced with record-high border crossings in December, with over 225,000 unlawful crossings reported.
Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas has attributed the decrease in numbers to a series of actions taken by the administration, including building lawful pathways, implementing consequences, and promulgating regulations within the confines of the law. However, he emphasizes the need for comprehensive changes to immigration laws, as the current system is struggling to manage the unprecedented migration across the Western Hemisphere.
Meanwhile, bipartisan Senate negotiations are ongoing, aimed at reaching a consensus on a border deal that would be added to the funding for Ukraine and Israel. These talks have been taking place for weeks, and the challenge lies in resolving divisions over issues such as asylum policy, restrictions, and the expulsion of migrants who cross the southern border.
While the House Homeland Security Committee
