(Mark Pellin, Headline USA) As groups of illegal aliens amass on the southern border ready to storm the U.S., President Joe Biden has vowed to veto GOP legislation that would strengthen immigration policies and avert the chaos expected to erupt when a Trump-era policy is set to expire on Thursday.
The U.S. House is slated to vote the same day on a immigration bill that would codify many of the Trump-era border security programs, including the former president’s “Remain in Mexico” policy, which required immigrants to stay in Mexico instead of being released with future court dates while cycling through the asylum process.
In response to the eminent demise of Title 42, which was originally enacted during the COVID pandemic allowing the U.S. to swiftly expel migrants for health concerns, Republicans have proposed H.R. 2, the Secure the Border Act of 2023, legislation that would revive “Remain in Mexico” policy and also force the Biden administration to resume construction of the Trump-era border wall.
The bill, which has been in the works since Republicans regained majority-control of the House, would also mandate the use of E-Verify for hiring employees and only permit acceptance of asylum claims from immigrants who crossed the border legally. The legislation also directs more money for border security technology, while increasing the number of Border Patrol agents and provide them bonus pay.
Biden has already vowed to veto the bill, even as U.S. Border Patrol Raul Ortiz has conceded loss of operational control of the southern border and there is widespread, bipartisan concern that upwards of 700,000 immigrants are amassing on the border waiting for Thursday’s expected surge.
“The crisis at our Southern border is among the gravest threats to U.S. national security in our history,” said Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart, R-Fla., who co-sponsored the legislation, which is expected to pass the House.
“For the last two years, President Biden and his Administration have entirely neglected the escalating crisis at our border, and their lack of action has ceded all control to narco-terrorist cartels, who are now among the most powerful in deciding who comes into our country and at what price.”
In vowing to veto any GOP legislation centered on securing the border, the White House declared that the Secure the Border Act “does nothing to address the root causes of migration, reduces humanitarian protections, and restricts lawful pathways, which are critical alternatives to unlawful entry.”
The lawlessness at the southern border under the Biden regime’s misguided policies have led to increased humanitarian abuses, Diaz-Balart said.
“President Biden promised a more ‘humane and fair’ immigration policy, but there is nothing humane about the nearly 900 individuals who died last year making their way into the United States. There is nothing humane about the 300 Americans who die daily from fentanyl poisoning that is brought in through our southern border,” Diaz-Balart said.
“There is nothing humane about the women and children abused, raped, and killed by cartels. There is nothing humane about unaccompanied minors being exploited and ending up in some of the most punishing jobs in the country.”
Border Patrol officials estimate that more than 5 million illegal aliens have crossed the border into the U.S. during Biden’s tenure. Last week alone, Ortiz reported nearly 55,000 illegal immigrant apprehensions, in addition to nearly 19,000 “gotaways.” Two agents were assaulted, while Border Patrol seized 101 pounds of cocaine, 2,721 pounds of meth and 138 pounds of fentanyl.
Week in Review…
– 2 Agents Assaulted
– 54,951 Apprehensions
– 18,698 Approx. Gotaways
– $714,492 Seized
– 101 lbs. Cocaine
– 1,050 lbs. Marijuana
– 2,721 lbs. Meth
– 138 lbs. Fentanyl
– 16 Firearms
– 6 Sex Offenders
– 7 Gang MembersImpressive work! pic.twitter.com/f02TlcXFsS
— Chief Raul Ortiz (@USBPChief) May 6, 2023
Ortiz updated those numbers on Monday, reporting an additional 26,382 apprehensions and an estimated 7,400 “gotaways.”
Biden last week ordered 1,500 active-duty U.S. troops to the border, but they are designated basically for bookkeeping and not law enforcement. That has reportedly prompted Texas Gov. Greg Abbott to deploy the state national guard’s Texas Tactical Border Force.
In addition to 10,000 Guard troops, Abbott has also ordered Black Hawk helicopters and C-130s to be readied for operations, as the state braces for an invasion of illegals when Title 42 ends on Thursday, the same day Biden has vowed to veto the GOP’s Secure the Border Act.
BREAKING: Texas has deployed their own Texas Tactical Border Force as migrants wait to storm the border once Title 42 ends.
The Texas National Guard is readying Black Hawk helicopters and C-130s as they brace for an invasion along the southern border.
– El Paso says 15,000 are… pic.twitter.com/JDmDnmPgi3
— Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) May 8, 2023
“President Biden’s open-border policy is a national security & humanitarian crisis,” tweeted House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., who declared that the GOP legislation “would restore sanity, safety, and security at our borders.”
