President Announces Executive Action on Border

By Charles Hawes, Capital News

Washington, DC - In a decisive move to address the ongoing border security crisis, President Joe Biden announced today that he would take executive action to enforce stricter asylum rules for migrants crossing the US. southern border unlawfully. The President's announcement comes after months of failed bipartisan negotiations and what he described as deliberate obstruction by Republicans influenced by former President Donald Trump. Four months ago, after weeks of intense negotiation between my staff and Democrats and Republicans, we came to a clear bipartisan deal that was the strongest border security agreement in decades," Biden stated. But then Republicans in Congress — not all, but many walked away from it because Donald Trump told them to. He didn't want to fix the issue; he wanted to use it to attack me.

    Biden criticized the Republicans' approach as a cynical political maneuver that undermines the American people's demand for effective border management. Flanked by a bipartisan group of governors, members of Congress, mayors, and law enforcement officials, many from the southern border regions, Biden emphasized the urgency and practicality of the new measures. He stressed that these officials understand the border issue is not a political weapon but a shared responsibility requiring immediate actions. I am moving past Republican obstruction and using the executive authorities available to me as president to do what I can on my own to address the border," Biden declared. The President's new actions will bar migrants who cross the southern border unlawfully from receiving asylum, limiting asylum applications to those who enter through an established legal process. "If an individual chooses not to use our legal pathways, if they choose to come without permission and against the law, they’ll be restricted from receiving asylum and staying in the United States," Biden announced.

    This measure, he asserted, will help regain control of the border and restore order to the process. The ban will remain until the number of illegal entries is reduced to a manageable level for the current system. Biden also highlighted recent reforms aimed at improving the efficiency and security of the asylum system. He mentioned a new Department of Justice docket for immigration cases to expedite decisions within six months and proposed rules from the Department of Homeland Security to swiftly remove asylum seekers with criminal convictions. In his speech, Biden emphasized a collaborative approach with Mexico, which has led to a significant reduction in illegal crossings. He praised the partnership with Mexican President Lopez Obrador and expressed confidence in continuing this cooperation with the incoming Mexican president.

    However, Biden stressed that these steps alone are insufficient. He called on Congress to provide necessary funding for additional border security agents, immigration judges, asylum officers, and high-tech detection machines to combat fentanyl smuggling. If you’re not willing to spend the money to hire more Border Patrol agents, more asylum officers, more judges, more high-tech machinery, you’re just not serious about protecting our border. It’s as simple as that, Biden said. While affirming his commitment to America's tradition of welcoming immigrants, Biden rejected any policies that demonize immigrants or separate families. He reiterated his opposition to religious bans, military-led mass deportations, and inhumane detention camps."To protect America as a land that welcomes immigrants, we must first secure the border and secure it now," Biden stated. He called for immediate action, emphasizing that doing nothing is not an option. Biden concluded by promising further discussions on making the immigration system fairer and more just in the coming weeks. He urged Congressional Republicans to join in solving the problem rather than continuing the fight. Let's fix the problem and stop fighting about it. I’m doing my part. We’re doing our part. Congressional Republicans should do their part, Biden urged.