South Carolina Republican Senator Lindsey Graham has called on President Joe Biden to prioritize strengthening the southern border as a precondition for further aid to Ukraine.
Border-Aid Link
Graham highlights the need for immediate action on the migrant crisis and border security, including deportations, to gain support for Ukraine.
Graham’s Ultimatum
“Accept the idea that we’re full. Take the tools we’re willing to give you to stop the inflow,” insists Graham.
Border Control and Deportation
The senator told the Biden administration to bolster the U.S.-Mexico border security and expedite the deportation of illegal immigrants.
“We’ll Get Money for Ukraine”
He asserted, “You’ll turn things around pretty quickly,” and “we’ll get money for Ukraine.”
Record Migrant Processing in December
Senator Graham’s remarks coincide with a record-setting month for the Border Patrol, which processed an unprecedented number of migrants entering the U.S. illegally in December, the highest in the agency’s history.
Over 225,000 Migrant Apprehensions in December
According to Department of Homeland Security data, U.S. Border Patrol agents apprehended over 225,000 migrants at unofficial crossing points along the southern border in the initial 27 days of December.
Legal Entry Processing
This number excludes migrants entering legally at official ports of entry. The Biden administration manages about 50,000 migrant entries monthly, primarily utilizing a smartphone application-based process.
Stricter Immigration Policy Like Title 42
Graham has advocated for the Biden administration to adopt a stricter immigration policy similar to Title 42. This policy, enacted during the pandemic, enabled border agents to reject migrants without considering asylum claims.
“We are Full”
In an interview on CBS News, Graham said, “We’re full. It takes four years to get your asylum claim heard. We have 1.7 million people who are ready to be deported, but they just won’t deport them.”
Prioritizing Border Issues
Graham emphasizes solving the border system issues before extending aid to Ukraine and other nations.
Depleted Ukraine Funds and Security Priorities
With the exhaustion of the previously allocated $111 billion for Ukraine and ongoing conflicts, including the war between Israel and Hamas, President Biden has sought over $100 billion in additional funding for various national security needs.
Border Security Funding and Legislative Halt
While a portion of this request is earmarked for border security, the progress toward approving these funds has been hindered. Republican lawmakers insist on immigration reforms to pass this financial package.
Willingness to Negotiate
In early December, President Biden expressed his readiness to compromise to secure passage of his national security supplemental request, which includes funding for Ukraine.
“Stand Against the Tyranny of Putin”
The president, in a statement, said, I’m calling on Congress to do something and do the right thing: to stand with the people of Ukraine, stand against the tyranny of Putin, stand for freedom — literally, stand for freedom – We’re the reason Putin has not totally overrun Ukraine and moved beyond that.”
“Willing to Make Significant Compromises”
He added, “I am willing to make significant compromises on the border. We need to fix the broken border system.”
U.S. Officials Meet Mexican President
The Biden administration has also been engaged in diplomatic talks with Mexico to manage migrant flows. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas recently met with the Mexican president to o collaborate on decreasing the influx of migrants at the U.S. southern border.
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