Texas Governor Greg Abbott has spoken out about the ongoing border crisis, raising concerns about the number of crossings and releases. In response to this, Hispanic and Latino House Democrats are requesting a meeting with the White House to address their worries regarding talks on border and asylum measures, alongside President Biden’s request for supplemental foreign aid.
The Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC) is seeking a meeting with President Biden after their request to meet with White House chief of staff Jeff Zients did not materialize. CHC members are worried that the president might give in to GOP demands on border talks, citing Biden’s recent speech where he expressed willingness to make significant compromises on the broken border system.
The CHC Democrats are particularly concerned about the inclusion of measures regarding DREAMers and work permits sought by the left. They reject the inclusion of “Trump-era immigration policies” in the ongoing supplemental talks, stating that it would set a dangerous precedent to exchange permanent damaging policy changes for aid to allies that Republicans already support.
The CHC’s vice chair for policy, Rep. Darren Soto, supports border funding but opposes the inclusion of immigration policy in the Supplemental. He emphasizes the need to also include DREAMers in any discussions, as they have waited long enough for a resolution.
NBC News reported that CHC lawmakers and their allies are seeking broader communication with President Biden on the issue. This comes after House and Senate Republicans united last week to address the border crisis as part of any foreign aid deal. Senate Republicans blocked a procedural vote on a $110 billion supplemental aid bill for Ukraine, Israel, the U.S. border, and humanitarian causes.
House Speaker Mike Johnson and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell have stated that border security reform will be necessary for GOP support of President Biden’s supplemental aid request. Democrats have expressed concerns that Republicans are pushing for harsh measures that would do little to resolve the ongoing border crisis. However, some hardliners within the GOP view the situation as an “invasion” and are calling for measures such as building a border wall and tightening asylum laws.
In conclusion, House Democrats from the Congressional Hispanic Caucus are calling for a meeting with President Biden to address their concerns about ongoing border talks. They are worried that the president might give in to GOP demands and include Trump-era immigration policies in exchange for aid to allies. On the other hand, Republicans are pushing for significant border security measures as part of any foreign aid deal. The situation remains complex, and both sides have differing views on how to address the border crisis.
