White House and Congressional Democrats Explore Strategies to Bolster Border Security Ahead of Presidential Debate
The White House and top congressional Democrats are engaged in intensive discussions aimed at fortifying their position on border security in the run-up to the first presidential debate next month. These efforts encompass potential executive actions, revisiting stalled bipartisan border bills, and considering a visit from President Joe Biden to the southern border.
Sources familiar with the ongoing talks revealed that some Democrats in Congress have urged White House officials to arrange another border visit for the president in the coming weeks. Despite a decrease in border arrests this year due, in part, to Mexico’s heightened enforcement efforts since January, senior administration officials are mindful of the possibility of a summer surge in crossings and the political implications for President Biden’s reelection campaign.
To address this challenge, White House officials are reportedly in negotiations with Senate Democrats regarding the revival of the previously stalled bipartisan border policy package. This move signifies ongoing efforts to demonstrate that Democrats are actively addressing border security concerns, an issue that has long been a political liability for the party and the president.
The pressure on Capitol Hill reflects the limitations of the administration’s tools to effect change at the border in the immediate future. Discussions are ongoing regarding the rollout of a new executive order on border security, with considerations including timing to maximize political impact – potentially after Mexico’s election in early June and prior to the first presidential debate.
The White House is seeking to defuse another border crisis and maintain focus on congressional Republicans who abandoned a bipartisan bill containing stringent border security measures earlier this year. Aides anticipate that Senate Democrats will bring back the previously blocked border security legislation for a vote, although no formal announcement has been made.
President Biden has consistently criticized Republicans on this matter during his campaign trail. He recently commented at a fundraiser in California, “After months, we finally came up with the strongest border bill, the most comprehensive immigration reform in decades. The majority of House and Senate members strongly support this. But politics derailed it.”
Over the past few weeks, the Biden administration has rolled out new guidance and regulations intended to expedite the rejection of ineligible asylum seekers and accelerate court cases for certain migrants. These measures are designed, in part, to discourage individuals from embarking on the journey northward. Additionally, the administration has targeted countries facilitating irregular migration by imposing visa restrictions on key government officials, nongovernmental actors, and their immediate family members.
A senior administration official shared with reporters, “In order to meet the current moment, the administration has taken unprecedented steps to leverage existing resources, exercise our legal authorities and coordinate with our federal and international partners to reduce irregular migration and manage our borders in a safe and orderly way.”
Under consideration is a sweeping executive action restricting migrants’ ability to seek asylum at the US-Mexico border if they cross illegally, reminiscent of controversial measures from the Trump era. This proposal involves employing an authority known as 212f between ports of entry to curb unlawful border crossings.
Despite the administration’s efforts to control border crossings, voters remain skeptical of its handling of this contentious issue, as President Biden continues to trail former President Trump in polls regarding border security.
Mexico has intensified operations to hinder smuggling and migration towards the border, targeting smugglers for prosecution, relocating migrants away from the border, and collaborating with US federal authorities on joint enforcement initiatives along the southern US border.
Border Patrol recorded 128,000 migrant encounters between ports of entry in April, a decrease from the previous month’s 137,480. However, Homeland Security officials are preparing for an anticipated surge in border crossings during the summer months and have been implementing measures to address this potential increase.
The White House is also strengthening its immigration team in anticipation of staff departures earlier this year and plans to bring on Blas Nunez-Neto, a key architect of border policy within the Department of Homeland Security, to work more closely with Biden’s advisors.
A wildcard in these discussions is the upcoming Mexican election on June 2, which could introduce uncertainty regarding border cooperation between the US and Mexico at a critical juncture. Officials expect that a new Mexican government would likely continue collaborating with the US on migration matters, but it remains unclear how migrants and smugglers may respond to this period of transition.
Current and former officials describe the relationship between President Biden and Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador as amicable and professional. Late last month, Biden spoke with Lopez Obrador about migration management, marking the second call between the two leaders this year. The outcome of their conversation resulted in both leaders directing their national security teams to work together and implement measures aimed at reducing irregular border crossings while safeguarding human rights.