House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) urged President Joe Biden on Thursday to take executive actions to get a grip on the southern border crisis.
A letter from Johnson to Biden warned about the “record” tide of illegal immigration, which he blamed on the current administration’s policies, and encouraged the commander in chief to consider a number of options under existing law in lieu of an immediate legislative solution.
The list included ending catch-and-release, stopping the “exploitation” of parole authority, reviving asylum cooperation agreements with Mexico, ramping up “expedited” removal of migrants who fail to qualify for asylum, and renewing construction of a border wall.
The border is in crisis.
The House passed H.R. 2 more than six months ago, but Senate Democrats left town without taking any action.
Mr. President—border security starts with you. It’s time to take action today to secure the border.
Read my full letter ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/rW0Z3zs1HL
— Speaker Mike Johnson (@SpeakerJohnson) December 21, 2023
Johnson also pressed Biden to use Section 212(f) of the Immigration and Nationality Act, which gives the president the power to block entry to foreigners deemed to be “detrimental” to U.S. interests, to “regain operational control of the border.”
The letter was issued as Senate talks, in which negotiators are trying to hash out an agreement tying border security reforms to aid for U.S. allies such as Ukraine, are poised to stretch into the new year.
Biden said earlier this month, “I am willing to make significant compromises on the border. We need to fix the broken border system. It is broken. And thus far, I’ve gotten no response.”
Johnson noted that the GOP-led House passed border legislation — H.R. 2 — earlier this year. However, Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) refused to have the Senate take up the bill, dismissing what he described as “partisan right-wing demands.”
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Underscoring a sense of urgency, the speaker’s letter talked about how U.S. Customs and Border Protection is at a “breaking point” with “shocking” data showing thousands of illegal immigrants entering the United States every day over the past year.
Johnson lamented an influx of fentanyl, human trafficking, and devastation of local communities. “We are now more vulnerable to a terrorist attack on our homeland than ever,” he also said.
In a post to X, which shared the letter publicly, Johnson summarized, “The border is in crisis. The House passed H.R. 2 more than six months ago, but Senate Democrats left town without taking any action. Mr. President — border security starts with you. It’s time to take action today to secure the border.”