WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden is seeking to garner more support from Republicans by including funding for securing the U.S.-Mexico border in a proposal to provide additional aid to Ukraine. This idea arose after Republican resistance to financing the war effort led to the removal of Ukraine assistance from a stopgap measure to keep the government running. However, it remains uncertain whether the inclusion of approximately $14 billion in border funding as part of a $106 billion spending package will appease those who are resisting.
While the conflict in the Middle East has diverted attention from the U.S.-Mexico border for now, the challenges posed by migration are becoming increasingly difficult to address. Democratic leaders at various levels are urging federal assistance to aid migrant families residing in substandard shelters and police stations. Republicans are openly critical of Biden’s border policies, deeming them too lenient. Furthermore, Congress has not taken steps to enact immigration reform in many years.
The number of migrants at the border is rising, with arrests for illegal crossings increasing by 21% to 218,763 last month. Biden has repeatedly called on Congress to take action to address outdated immigration laws. In the meantime, his administration has implemented policies aimed at deterring migrants from embarking on dangerous and often fatal journeys while also creating new legal avenues for immigration.
The funding request aims to not only manage crossings at the U.S.-Mexico border but also address the growing number of migrants already present who are awaiting the resolution of their cases. The White House proposal includes provisions for hiring 1,600 new asylum officers and processing personnel, which could double the workforce handling asylum cases. It also proposes adding 375 immigration judges and their teams, as well as allocating funds for 1,300 new border patrol agents. Additionally, the request includes funds for Homeland Security efforts, including increased support for holding facilities as the administration works towards the swift deportation of those who do not qualify for asylum.
Another aspect of the proposal is the allocation of $1.3 billion for regional migration centers outside of the U.S. This represents a new initiative brokered by the Biden administration to encourage prospective migrants to stay in their home countries and apply for asylum before attempting to cross the treacherous Darien Gap between South and Central America. The request also includes $1.4 billion to aid state and local governments in providing shelters and services for migrants, following pleas from Democratic mayors and governors for more assistance in caring for newly arrived migrants.
However, New York City alone expects to spend over $5 billion on this issue by the end of the budget year. The living conditions of the more than 130,600 asylum seekers who have come through the city’s intake system since 2022 have drawn criticism. New York Mayor Eric Adams has traveled to Mexico to urge potential migrants not to come, accusing the Biden administration of failing to provide sufficient resources for processing migrants.
In Chicago, hundreds of migrants from diverse age groups are now being housed at O’Hare International Airport’s shuttle bus center. They sleep on cardboard pads on the floor and utilize airport bathrooms. Alex Gough, who speaks for Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker, a Democrat, emphasized the state’s urgent need for additional federal resources to address this crisis and expressed hope that the Republican members of the House will fulfill their responsibilities for any new funding to be allocated.
The passage of any spending package remains uncertain, particularly as House Speaker Kevin McCarthy has been removed from his position and no successor has been identified. Republicans are already pushing back against using funds to assist individuals already in the country rather than limiting those at the border. A group of Republican senators met to discuss proposals they would support. Senator Kevin Cramer, a Republican from North Dakota, stated that he would be inclined to support aid for Israel and Ukraine as long as there is a strong border security element. Senator John Cornyn, a Texas Republican, expressed support for aid to Israel and Ukraine but added that without significant policy changes to address the border crisis, such aid is in serious jeopardy.
It remains unclear if a compromise can be reached on this issue. Senator Chris Murphy, a Connecticut Democrat in charge of a Senate panel overseeing funding for the Department of Homeland Security, expressed concern about incorporating border policy changes into a spending debate. Representative Dan Crenshaw, a Republican from Texas, agreed with the three priorities included in the president’s proposal: Ukraine, Israel, and the border. However, he emphasized that the sticking point lies in the details, underscoring the importance of effective policies, particularly asylum reform.
Associated Press writers Mary Clare Jalonick and Kevin Freking in Washington, Claire Savage in Chicago, Mike Casey in Boston, Patrick Whittle in Portland, Maine, Lisa Rathke in Montpelier, Vt., and Holly Ramer in Concord, N.H. contributed to this report.
