The American Red Cross, along with various other NGOs, has been recently caught in a storm of criticism from some Republican voices, accusing these organizations of aiding migrants in their journey across the southern U.S. border.
Red Cross Under Fire
Texas Republican Rep. Chip Roy has been vocal on social media, claiming that these NGOs, including the International Committee Red Cross, are actively involved in “facilitating illegal immigration” by providing maps and multilingual information about reaching the southern border.
U.S.-Bound Migration Maps
In another statement on X (previously known as Twitter), @RepChipRoy accused the International Committee of the Red Cross of “not even hiding it—its website has U.S.-bound migration maps for 2023 in DIFFERENT LANGUAGES!”
Secure the Border Act
Rep. Chip Roy has also advocated for the Secure the Border Act of 2023, introduced by Senator Ted Cruz in September. This legislation, having passed the House, aims to “defund NGOs receiving tax dollars to help traffic illegal aliens throughout the heartland,” as stated in a press release from Senator Cruz’s office.
“They ought to give me the money”
Amid a growing influx of migrants, President Biden faces mounting demands from both Republican and Democratic factions to take action. Addressing the issue on Tuesday night, Biden told the press, “We’ve got to do something. They ought to give me the money I need to protect the border.”
Migrant Influx in 2023
Data from the CBP reveals that within the first 11 months of 2023, at least 2,953,676 migrants made their way across either the southwestern or northern borders of the United States. This surge—a noticeable increase from previous years—has posed challenges for President Joe Biden amid criticism from Republicans regarding border security.
GOP Accused of Blocking Border Efforts
Following Speaker Mike Johnson and numerous House Republicans’ gathering at the border to condemn President Biden’s immigration policies, White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre labeled the event as the latest in a series of “political stunts.”
She accused the Republicans of obstructing any presidential efforts to address the border situation, adding, “That’s what we’ve seen. That is what we’ve seen from the speaker.”
Biden Needs $3.5 Billion
On Friday, President Biden highlighted that congressional Republicans had turned down his request for an additional $3.5 billion to bolster border security. He emphasized the need for funds to hire 2,000 new asylum personnel and 100 new immigration judges, aiming to expedite the lengthy adjudication process for legal asylum claims.
Biden pointed out that the failure to approve and finance this comprehensive plan has exacerbated the challenges at the southwest border.
Reelection Concerns
The ongoing border challenges could persist as a significant issue for President Biden, potentially complicating his reelection campaign in 2024. Even within his own party, President Biden faces critique over his border policies, with figures like New York Mayor Eric Adams expressing their concerns.
Intra-Party Critique
CBP data reveals a noticeable rise in migrant crossings over the past few years. In 2022, there were 2,738,145 crossings, compared to 2,069,805 in 2021.
The peak was in September, with 341,392 migrants entering the U.S. Of the total, 2,240,056 crossed the U.S.-Mexico border, and 176,256 crossed the U.S.-Canada border.
Democrat Representative Disappointed
In a conversation with Punchbowl News, Texas Democrat Representative Greg Casar also expressed his disappointment with his own party. “This is just really bad negotiating on the part of Democrats,” he questioned.
“Would Democrats give away abortion rights in exchange for Ukraine money?… Why would Democrats give Trump-style immigration policy in exchange for Ukraine money?”
Expert Weighs In
Ahead of the election, President Biden faces significant vulnerability on immigration issues, according to Thomas Gift, Associate Professor of Political Science and Director of the Centre on U.S. Politics at University College London.
Speaking to Newsweek, Gift argued, “While the causes of the current dysfunction aren’t entirely his fault, and politics on both sides of the aisle make ‘comprehensive’ reform next to impossible, the sitting president is always going to take the blame for a surge in undocumented immigration,”
Center-Left Dissatisfaction
Gift further added, “With increasing numbers of center-left governors and mayors, even outside border states, expressing dissatisfaction over the White House’s handling of immigration, the issue could prove even more of a liability for Biden heading into 2024.”
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