A member of Congress from President Biden’s own party is demanding that he and Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas join Republicans at the negotiating table to find a bipartisan solution to immigration as the government’s Title 42 deportation policy expires. .
Rep. warned. Sharice Davids, D-Kan., said the expected influx of people trying to cross the border illegally after Title 42 could worsen the “humanitarian and refugee crisis” if nothing is done to reduce it.
“Like the President’s decision to lift the [Title 42] order this week, we now face a doubling of illegal crossings at our southern border by some estimates, exacerbating the current humanitarian and refugee crisis,” Davids wrote in a letter addressed to Mayorkas.
“While you’ve presented a list of ways you plan to address the influx of migration, some of which I agree with, we still haven’t reached a comprehensive, long-term plan with bipartisan support. “
TILLIS, CINEMA, WILL CONTINUE BILL TO CONTINUE MIGRANT EXPULSIONS AFTER TITLE 42
A Border Patrol agent on horseback patrols the area near where the US-Mexico border fence meets the Pacific Ocean on Nov. 7, 2021. (Frederic J. Brown/AFP via Getty Images)
His letter said any plan to help resolve issues on the southern border would have to have the support of both the Democrat-controlled Senate and Republican-held House. Davids pointed out that it will soon be a top issue in his chamber, as the GOP weighs its comprehensive immigration and border bill.
“US House Republicans plan to begin debating immigration reform in the coming weeks. I urge you and the White House to join me in engaging in these conversations about what the landscape looks like for immigration reform in our country,” he wrote.
TILLIS, CINEMA, WILL CONTINUE BILL TO CONTINUE MIGRANT EXPULSIONS AFTER TITLE 42
He called for a plan that would both secure the border and provide a path to citizenship for illegal immigrants already in the US.
“Ultimately, we need a comprehensive and bipartisan solution that is smart, humane, and true to our nation’s values. That must include securing and protecting our borders along with a citizenship roadmap, especially for to the people who served in our military and Dreamers,” Davids wrote.
Rep. Sharice Davids listens as Rep. Suzan DelBene, the chairwoman of the New Democrat Coalition, speaks to reporters outside the White House on March 30, 2022. (Getty Images)
“As Congress considers immigration reform in the coming weeks, we must make it clear to the American people that we take this challenge seriously and are ready to find solutions. You have one year to get involved before the repeal of Title 42, and I hope that you and the President will both recommit to working with Congress to achieve real results.”
Davids previously raised the alarm over the border crisis in April of last year, when the Biden administration earlier moved to lift Title 42. The policy gives border agents broad authority to avoid contact with migrants. to slow the spread of COVID-19.
BIDEN ADMIN SECURE DEAL WITH MEXICO TO DEPORT SOME NON-MEXICAN MIGRANTS Ahead of TITLE 42 BEDLAM
Opponents of the policy point argue that it is a health measure imposed by the CDC, rather than an immigration rule, and is unnecessary — especially as the national pandemic emergency ends this month.
But supporters of keeping it in place warn that a severe border crisis could worsen if border officials are stripped of their authority.
Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas speaks during a Senate Homeland Security Committee hearing on April 18, 2023, in Washington, DC (Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)
The expected end of the policy this week has forced federal officials to scramble to deal with an increase in what Customs and Border Patrol (CBP) says has averaged 2,000 border crossings a day for the past two weeks. , in McAllen, Texas , place alone.
Some estimates say the number could reach 10,000 per day after Title 42 is repealed.
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
To help with the expected influx of asylum seekers and other migrants, the president ordered 1,500 US troops to the border to support patrol agents. Mayorkas was also at the border last week, when he toured with CBP agents and saw facilities where migrants await processing. Republicans have been harshly critical of his performance as head of DHS, and have even called for his removal.
The Senate is working on a bipartisan solution to temporarily allow the deportation of migrants after Title 42, which provides similar health policy authorities.
